Stanford Unveils New, Updated Online Courses in Computer Security

Stanford University has enhanced its online certificate program in advanced computer security, adding a new course in network security and updating its course in emerging threats and defenses.

The Stanford Advanced Computer Security program is an online, self-paced certificate program. According to a news release from Stanford, the program "provides participants with the advanced skills needed to learn how to protect networks, secure electronic assets, prevent attacks and build secure infrastructures."

The new course, Network Security, covers application security measures; identifying operating system holes; the relationship between privacy and digital rights management (DRM); trends in malware; privacy and security for mobile devices; and ways to prevent network attacks and gaps in security policy.

The updated course, Emerging Threats and Defenses, covers advanced persistent threats and mobile threats; cloud trust assumptions and threat models; using machine learning for detection and defenses; network traffic analysis, web trafficking and defenses; SSL/TLS protocol and authentication infrastructure; and trusted cloud hardware and advanced cryptographic solutions.

Network Security and Emerging Threats and Defenses are both elective courses in the certificate program. The other two elective courses are Software Security Foundations and Mobile Security. The three core courses for the certificate are Using Cryptography Correctly, Writing Secure Code and Exploiting and Protecting Web Applications.

The program is directed and taught by Stanford professors John Mitchell and Dan Boneh, and industry expert Neil Daswani, and it is intended for working professionals in the computer programming, development or security industries. Individuals can begin the program at any time after their application has been approved. Participants must complete three core courses and three elective courses to earn a certificate.

Further information about the program can be found on Stanford's site.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

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