Cryptography, Network Security, and Application Security

Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. In an era where cybersecurity threats are ever-evolving, this course equips you with the essential knowledge and skills to protect your organization's digital assets. You'll master the fundamentals of cryptography, network security, and application security, ensuring your proficiency in combating a range of threats. The course begins with an in-depth exploration of cryptographic principles, including hashing, salting, encryption, non-repudiation, and secure protocols. You'll gain hands-on experience with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems and delve into the vulnerabilities of cryptographic attacks. Each module ensures practical insights that translate directly to your role as a security professional. Next, the journey takes you into network and communications security, where you'll examine concepts like the OSI model, IP networking, and network topologies. You'll also learn to secure wireless communications, manage network-based security devices, and mitigate network attacks. The module is designed to enhance your strategic and operational approach to network defense. Finally, the focus shifts to systems and application security, addressing malicious code, endpoint security, and mobile device management. You'll also cover critical aspects of cloud security, including legal and regulatory concerns, secure virtual environments, and data protection. This course is perfect for those aiming to excel in roles like cybersecurity analyst, network security engineer, or systems administrator.