
Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Secure Coding, Application Security, Security Testing, DevSecOps, Threat Modeling, Vulnerability Scanning, Continuous Monitoring, Vulnerability Assessments, Application Performance Management, System Monitoring, Vulnerability Management, Development Environment, Security Controls, DevOps, Data Security, Software Development Life Cycle
★ 4.7 (255) · Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: Secure Coding, Authentications, Authorization (Computing), AI Integrations, Microsoft Copilot, Application Security, Data Validation, Web Applications, Data Security, Data Integrity
★ 4.9 (24) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Authentications, Angular, API Design, Application Programming Interface (API), TypeScript, Frontend Integration, Restful API, Authorization (Computing), Web Development Tools, GraphQL, Secure Coding, Full-Stack Web Development, Node.JS, Application Design, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Enterprise Security, Enterprise Architecture, Software Architecture, Web Development, Javascript
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
STARWEAVER
Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Security Testing, Cyber Security Strategy, Application Security, Vulnerability Scanning, Security Strategy, Penetration Testing, DevSecOps, Software Testing, Debugging, Cybersecurity, Vulnerability Assessments, Cyber Security Assessment, Secure Coding, Test Automation, Code Review, Vulnerability Management, Exploitation techniques, Technical Communication, Continuous Monitoring
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Vulnerability Scanning, Proxy Servers, Security Testing, Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Assessments, Brute-force attacks, Test Tools, Web Scraping
★ 4.3 (290) · Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Cybersecurity, Network Security, Cloud Security, Cyber Attacks, Information Systems Security, Application Security, OSI Models, Cryptography, Data Security, Cryptographic Protocols, Encryption, Network Administration, Infrastructure Security, Endpoint Security, General Networking, Security Controls, Malware Protection, Cloud Computing, Wireless Networks, Network Protocols
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: AI Security, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Exploitation techniques, Server Side, Application Security, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Responsible AI, Data Security, LLM Application, Cyber Attacks, Security Awareness, Generative AI, Large Language Modeling, Generative AI Agents, Prompt Engineering
★ 4.2 (6) · Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: Azure Active Directory, Microsoft Azure, Web Applications, Cloud Applications, Application Security, Cloud Security, Identity and Access Management, Authorization (Computing), Key Management, Application Development, Security Strategy, Application Programming Interface (API), Authentications, Encryption
★ 4.3 (15) · Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Web Applications, Vulnerability Scanning, Exploitation techniques, Vulnerability Assessments, Security Testing, Application Security, Test Tools, Web Servers, Content Management Systems, Application Programming Interface (API), Databases
★ 4.2 (10) · Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Application Security, Secure Coding, Threat Modeling, Software Development Life Cycle, DevSecOps, Security Testing, Application Deployment, Authentications, Hardening, Security Controls, Software Testing, Vulnerability Assessments, Vulnerability Scanning, CI/CD, Dependency Analysis
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Packt
Skills you'll gain: Spring Framework, Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), OAuth, Secure Coding, Single Sign-On (SSO), Lightweight Directory Access Protocols, Authorization (Computing), Application Security, Cloud Security, Build Tools, Gradle, Authentications, Cloud-Native Computing, Back-End Web Development, Object-Relational Mapping, Identity and Access Management, Spring Boot, Database Development, Java, Kubernetes
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Threat Modeling, Application Security, Secure Coding, Authentications, OAuth, Software Testing, Software Development Life Cycle, Unit Testing, Security Testing, Unified Modeling Language, Application Design, Authorization (Computing), Single Sign-On (SSO), Security Software, Software Development, Data Validation, Cyber Security Assessment, Cyber Security Strategy, Cybersecurity, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Application security refers to the measures and practices designed to protect applications from threats throughout their lifecycle. This includes securing applications during development, deployment, and maintenance. The importance of application security cannot be overstated; as cyber threats become more sophisticated, ensuring the security of applications is crucial to protect sensitive data and maintain user trust. Vulnerabilities in applications can lead to data breaches, financial loss, and damage to an organization's reputation.
A career in application security can lead to various roles, including Application Security Analyst, Security Engineer, DevSecOps Engineer, and Software Developer with a focus on security. These positions are essential in organizations that prioritize cybersecurity, as they work to identify and mitigate risks associated with application vulnerabilities. With the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals, pursuing a career in application security can be a rewarding choice.
To excel in application security, you should develop a range of skills, including knowledge of secure coding practices, familiarity with security testing tools, and an understanding of common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). Additionally, skills in threat modeling, risk assessment, and compliance with security standards are valuable. Proficiency in programming languages like Java, Python, or JavaScript can also enhance your capabilities in this field.
Some of the best online courses for application security include Application Security for Developers and DevOps Professionals and Web Application Security. These courses provide foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary for securing applications. Additionally, specialized courses like Cloud Application Security can help you understand security in cloud environments.
Yes. You can start learning application security on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in application security, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.
Learning application security involves a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Start by taking foundational courses that cover the basics of application security. Engage in hands-on projects or labs to apply what you've learned. Participating in online forums or communities can also provide insights and support from peers. As you progress, consider pursuing advanced courses or certifications to deepen your expertise.
Typical topics covered in application security courses include secure coding practices, threat modeling, security testing methodologies, and compliance with security standards. Courses may also address specific vulnerabilities, such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, and explore tools and techniques for identifying and mitigating these risks. Understanding the security implications of different software architectures and deployment environments is also crucial.
For training and upskilling employees in application security, courses like Application Security Program Ignition Guide and Cyber Security: Application of AI can be particularly beneficial. These courses provide insights into building effective application security programs and leveraging AI for security purposes, making them suitable for organizations looking to enhance their workforce's capabilities.