VOOZH about

URL: https://www.coursera.org/learn/blockchain-security-foundational-concepts

⇱ Blockchain Security - Foundational Concepts | Coursera

Blockchain Security - Foundational Concepts

Blockchain Security - Foundational Concepts

Included with

Ask Coursera

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

13 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

13 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Security for Blockchain and DApps Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

Blockchain Security - Foundational Concepts is where your grand adventure begins, at the crossroads of technology and creativity. This course is designed for aspiring blockchain enthusiasts, developers, security professionals, and decision makers.

This course isn't a mere introduction; it's an invitation to explore the world of blockchain security with an artist's flair. Beyond theory's embrace, it pulls you into a universe where cryptographic techniques, smart contract development, and secure blockchain solutions aren't just words—they're a living, breathing dance guided by the hand of a master. After completing this course, learners will be able to grasp the core elements of blockchain technology and the security that guards them, identify common security risks, detail cryptography techniques, and more.

This module provides an introduction to blockchain security concepts, threats, and challenges. Students will learn foundational knowledge about blockchain architecture, vulnerabilities, and security goals.

What's included

8 videos7 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

8 videos•Total 28 minutes
  • Course Introduction•5 minutes
  • Introduction to Blockchain•1 minute
  • How Blockchain Works•4 minutes
  • Blocks and Chains•3 minutes
  • The Blockchain Node•2 minutes
  • Peer-to-Peer Network•2 minutes
  • Core Features: Anonymity, Decentralization, Fault Tolerance, and Immutability•5 minutes
  • Core Features: Transparency and Trustless•5 minutes
7 readings•Total 38 minutes
  • Course Description•1 minute
  • Learning Objectives & Skills•1 minute
  • Course Outline•4 minutes
  • An Introduction to Blockchain Security Threats•6 minutes
  • Securing Blockchain Architecture - Core Principles and Best Practices•6 minutes
  • Use Case Story as Exam Review•10 minutes
  • Assignment: Threat Assessment Mind Map•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 45 minutes
  • Module 1 Exam: Intro to Blockchain Security •30 minutes
  • Introduction to Blockchain•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 15 minutes
  • Are Blockchain Networks Really Infallible?•15 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
  • Vulnerabilities and Countermeasures•15 minutes

This module covers cryptography techniques used in blockchain including hash functions and public key cryptography. Students will learn how these are used to secure blockchain transactions and build trust. A case study on the LISK blockchain will demonstrate real-world applications.

What's included

24 videos4 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt

24 videos•Total 83 minutes
  • Overview Hash Functions•2 minutes
  • Introduction to Hash Functions•4 minutes
  • Hash Functions: Collision Resistance•1 minute
  • Cryptography in Blockchain•3 minutes
  • One Way Hash Function•2 minutes
  • Hash Functions: Large Output Space•5 minutes
  • Hash Functions: Non Locality•5 minutes
  • Hash Functions: Blockchains•6 minutes
  • Hash Functions: Merkle Trees•4 minutes
  • Hash Functions: Digital Signatures•3 minutes
  • Hash Functions: Security•4 minutes
  • Summary•1 minute
  • Public Key Cryptography •1 minute
  • Asymmetric Cryptography•4 minutes
  • Mathematically Hard•4 minutes
  • Hard Asymmetric Crypto•5 minutes
  • Benefits of Asymmetric Crypto•4 minutes
  • Public Key Crypto•1 minute
  • Account Addressing•3 minutes
  • Digital Signatures•6 minutes
  • Data Encryption•2 minutes
  • Security Public Key Cryptography•5 minutes
  • Summary•1 minute
  • LISK Case Study•8 minutes
4 readings•Total 33 minutes
  • Hashing and Public Keys - The Cryptographic Foundations of Blockchain•7 minutes
  • Assignment #3 Hash Function Illustration•10 minutes
  • Hash Functions Story as Quiz Review•10 minutes
  • Case Study - How LISK Leverages Cryptography for Blockchain Security•6 minutes
5 assignments•Total 60 minutes
  • Module 2 Exam: Cryptography, Hash Functions and Public Key•30 minutes
  • Lesson 1 Quiz: Cryptography in Blockchain•5 minutes
  • Lesson 2 Quiz: Hash Functions•5 minutes
  • Lesson 3 Quiz: Public Key Cryptography•5 minutes
  • Module 2 Knowledge Check•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Decrypting the Real-world Applications•10 minutes

This module explains consensus mechanisms in blockchain, specifically proof of work and proof of stake models. Students will analyze the security implications of different consensus models and examine a case study of vulnerabilities in the Verge blockchain.

What's included

21 videos4 readings6 assignments2 discussion prompts1 plugin

21 videos•Total 82 minutes
  • Introduction to Consensus•1 minute
  • Consensus Byzantine Generals•6 minutes
  • Security vs Scarcity•4 minutes
  • Limits Proof-of-Work•4 minutes
  • Summary•1 minute
  • Intro Proof-of-Work•1 minute
  • Inside Proof-of-Work•5 minutes
  • Proof-of-Work Byznatine Generals Problem•4 minutes
  • Proof-of-Work Security•2 minutes
  • Attacks on PoW: 51% and DoS•6 minutes
  • Attacks on PoW: Selfish Mining and SPV Mining•6 minutes
  • Summary•1 minute
  • Introduction to Proof-of-Stake•1 minute
  • Inside Proof-of-Stake•5 minutes
  • Proof-of-Stake Security•3 minutes
  • Attacks on PoS: XX% and Fake Stake Attacks•6 minutes
  • Attacks on PoS: Proof of Stake Timebomb and Long-range Attack•5 minutes
  • Attacks on PoS: Longest Chain Rule, Nothing at Stake Attack, and Sour Milk Attack•3 minutes
  • Summary•1 minute
  • Verge Case Study Part 1•7 minutes
  • Verge Case Study Part 2•7 minutes
4 readings•Total 30 minutes
  • Consensus Models - Understanding Proof of Work vs. Proof of Stake Security•5 minutes
  • Story as Review: Proof of Work Security•10 minutes
  • Use Case Story - Module Exam Review•10 minutes
  • Case Study - The Verge 51% Attack and Blockchain Consensus Vulnerabilities•5 minutes
6 assignments•Total 65 minutes
  • Module 3 Exam: Consensus, PoW, and PoS Security•30 minutes
  • Consensus: Knowledge Check•5 minutes
  • Lesson 1 Quiz: Introduction to Consensus•5 minutes
  • Lesson 2 Quiz: Proof of Work Security•5 minutes
  • Lesson 3 Quiz: Proof of Stake Security•5 minutes
  • Module 3 Knowledge Check•15 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 25 minutes
  • Story Implications for Your Work•10 minutes
  • A Tug-of-War: PoW vs PoS•15 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
  • Consensus Conundrum•15 minutes

This module dives deeper into advanced blockchain security topics including new mechanisms, cryptography tools, and architectural security. Students will gain skills to evaluate and design secure blockchain implementations.

What's included

9 videos3 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt

9 videos•Total 40 minutes
  • Introduction to Advanced Blockchain Security Mechanisms•3 minutes
  • Architectural Security•3 minutes
  • Public vs Private•5 minutes
  • Open vs Permissioned•5 minutes
  • Checkpointing•7 minutes
  • Advanced Cryptographic Tools•6 minutes
  • Zero Knowledge Proofs•4 minutes
  • Stealth Addresses•3 minutes
  • Ring Signatures•4 minutes
3 readings•Total 70 minutes
  • Securing Blockchain Smart Contracts and DApps•5 minutes
  • zk-SNARKs and the Evolution of Blockchain Privacy•5 minutes
  • Assignment #4 - Zero-Knowledge Proofs: A Deep Dive•60 minutes
4 assignments•Total 55 minutes
  • Module 4 Exam: Advanced Blockchain and Architectural Security•30 minutes
  • Lesson 1 Quiz: Advanced Blockchain Security Mechanisms and Architectural Security•5 minutes
  • Lesson 2 Quiz: Advanced Cryptography Tools•5 minutes
  • Module 4 Knowledge Check•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 15 minutes
  • Futureproofing Blockchain: A Pipe Dream or Reality?•15 minutes

This module focuses on security for blockchain users and nodes. Students will learn how to secure user wallets, keys, and transactions. Methods to secure blockchain nodes and prevent exploits will also be covered along with a case study of an Ethereum RPC vulnerability.

What's included

21 videos4 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

21 videos•Total 79 minutes
  • Blockchain User and Node Security•1 minute
  • Protocols vs. Implementation•4 minutes
  • Blockchain Node•4 minutes
  • Securing Nodes and Users•2 minutes
  • Securing Blockchain Users•3 minutes
  • Private Key Security•5 minutes
  • Exposed Mnemonic Keys•4 minutes
  • Third Party Key Storage•6 minutes
  • Non-Existent Insecure Backups•3 minutes
  • Phishing Attacks•2 minutes
  • Insecure Hardware Wallets•5 minutes
  • Signing Unverified Transactions•4 minutes
  • DeFi Approvals•3 minutes
  • Securing Blockchain Nodes•2 minutes
  • Blockchain Breakouts•4 minutes
  • Blockchain Focused Malware•5 minutes
  • Denial of Service Attacks•5 minutes
  • Missed Updates•6 minutes
  • Misconfigured Security Settings•2 minutes
  • Case Study Ethereum RPC•5 minutes
  • Course Recap•3 minutes
4 readings•Total 31 minutes
  • How to Secure Your Blockchain Wallet and Transactions•6 minutes
  • Hardening Blockchain Nodes Against Attack•5 minutes
  • Use Case Story as Exam Review: Module 5•10 minutes
  • Use Case Story - Exam Review•10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 75 minutes
  • Module 5 Exam: The Blockchain User & Node Security•30 minutes
  • Course Final Exam•30 minutes
  • Lesson 1 Quiz: Blockchain User and Node Security•5 minutes
  • Lesson 2 Quiz: Securing Blockchain User•5 minutes
  • Lesson 3 Quiz: Securing Blockchain Node•5 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 15 minutes
  • Blockchain Users and Nodes•15 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
  • The Blockchain User and Node•15 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

LearnQuest
207 Courses•999,733 learners

Explore more from Software Development

Why people choose Coursera for their career

👁 Image

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
👁 Image

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
👁 Image

Larry W.

Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
👁 Image

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial aid available,