Stanford (SCPD) - Certificate of Advanced Computer Security - Overview

I was accepted to take the Certificate of Advanced Computer Security at Stanford's Center for Professional Development early this month. This thread is designed to give an overview/review of the process from start to finish.

Application Process
The application process was straight-forward. I created my account on May 8th, submitted the application on the 9th, and was approved by the 13th. I provided them with a detailed job description, detailed academic and professional experience, and an essay. Once my application process was approved, I was then able to enroll on online courses.

Software Security Foundations - XACS101
This was the first recommended course to be taken as a part of the 6 course certificate program. The course is primarily taught by Neil Daswani, co-founder of the program and engineering manager at Twitter. You can tell that this guy is smart (book smart or other), but oral communication is not a great skill. He gets the content across, but at a rather slow pace. I could say more about his communication skills, but I don't really want to be overly critical in the first few lessons. The material itself has so far closely resembled some CISSP/SSCP content, but has touched at a deeper technical level, which I like. Not only are we looking at vulnerabilities such as malware, cross-site scripting, and buffer overflows, but we look at sample code directly that shows how and why such vulnerabilities exist. It's quite technical. I can see why they recommend that students have good hand on an object-orient programming language.

So far I haven't learned too much from the first course, but I am only half way through. The content hasn't been extremely difficult to digest, but I'm really curious to see how the final exams go. I believe a 90% is required for each of the courses in order to receive the certificate.

I'll keep you updated as time/content goes on.

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Comments

serene2013

Congra and thanks for your feedback regarding the course.

I am gonna register soon.

chanakyajupudi

I would be definitely interested in doingthe certificate in a few months .

tprice5

So on LinkedIn does this go under education or certifications?

colemic

I would say education...

colemic

just wanted to add, that especially for the cost, they could have jazzed up the certificate a little bit... I understand they don't want someone to confuse a professional certificate with a graduate certificate, but I was expecting something a little more diploma-like, not a CBT certificate. JMO.

auxiliarypriest

Congrats. Thanks for keeping us updated on your journey.

MSP-IT

colemic wrote: »

just wanted to add, that especially for the cost, they could have jazzed up the certificate a little bit... I understand they don't want someone to confuse a professional certificate with a graduate certificate, but I was expecting something a little more diploma-like, not a CBT certificate. JMO.

I agree. Though I'll take what I can get.

And yes, I put this under education.

colemic

I was hoping to use the rest of my one year of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for a professional certificate from Stanford; unfortunately, since I wouldn't be a matriculated (i.e., officially admitted to Stanford University) student, professional certificated aren't eligible (per post-9/11 rules) since it isn't part of an official degree program. A bit disappointed in that, but it is, what it is... just adding here in case someone searches for it.

MSP-IT

That's too bad. Who told you that?

colemic

Their website.

'Professional Certificates are not eligible for the Post-911 GI Bill. Students receiving the Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans) benefit may use their benefits.'

Military Programs | Stanford University

It also is in line with what I have learned/heard about the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and its focus on getting vets into degree-granting programs, not just tech training.

nelson8403

I just wanted to chime in, I just completed the Stanford Certificate as well, I thought it was a pretty well laid out course that got into some concepts that honestly I felt were explained thoroughly and even though sometimes it was hard to follow I'd definitely recommend it for someone looking to add that extra certificate or even someone that wants to learn a bit more. The cryptography course was excellent, the last class I took however was the exploiting and protecting web applications and I felt that was a little hard to follow. They are however coming out with new classes this term and the next so you won't have to take that class.

I believe malware and some other classes will be available soon. [h=1]Future Topics[/h]

Forensics
Identity Management and Authentication
Malware

MSP-IT

nelson8403 wrote: »

I just wanted to chime in, I just completed the Stanford Certificate as well, I thought it was a pretty well laid out course that got into some concepts that honestly I felt were explained thoroughly and even though sometimes it was hard to follow I'd definitely recommend it for someone looking to add that extra certificate or even someone that wants to learn a bit more. The cryptography course was excellent, the last class I took however was the exploiting and protecting web applications and I felt that was a little hard to follow. They are however coming out with new classes this term and the next so you won't have to take that class.

I believe malware and some other classes will be available soon. Future Topics

Forensics

Identity Management and Authentication

Malware

Thanks for your input. I wish I had seen your post earlier. I agree with your thoughts on the web application course. I would've likely substituted it for Malware.

colemic

Congrats on completing the course... this is on my list, but isn't funded yet, may not ever be.

thehayn1

If all the exam materials come with pdfs, can't you just search the pdfs for the answers on the questions you get stuck on, instead of watching an entire lecture all over again?

MSP-IT

thehayn1 wrote: »

If all the exam materials come with pdfs, can't you just search the pdfs for the answers on the questions you get stuck on, instead of watching an entire lecture all over again?

It doesn't work that way. The PDFs are unstructured and only outline main points. The questions themselves come from the presentations/explanations from the professors.

brifbraff wrote: »

I started the certificate with Software Security Foundations course. It was a good and detailed intro to Security. If you just want to get the basics and not the certificate you can buy the book Software Security Foundations instead of this course. Course follows the book chapter by chapter.

As a non-native English speaker I struggled to understand Dr. Daswani's English but I got used to it. I think only down side of the first course was the exam. Some of the questions were not good picks for multiple choice.

Overall it's worth the money.

I agree. The general structure of his English could have used some work. Thanks for your input!

Burnsie

Tagging this for later. Thanks for the detailed write up.

B

someperson49

Interesting thread, and something to consider.

ccnpninja

That certificate looks awesome. Congrats and thanks for sharing the info

Replicon

I seriously think of enrolling for this certification program.
To be honest, is mainly due to the name of the university, I believe it will fit perfectly on my resume.

The only think that worries me is that I am more of an Infrastructure guys then developer. Franky i have no developer experience though I had around 10 exams during my BSc that were coding.programing so I know the concepts.

Is it really programming experience required? I just don't want to go to a program that is too sci-fi and I get stacked in the middle with no way out.
In your opinion is someone who is system/infrastructure analyst with lot of security experience will be able to pass the courses?

omg

I'm also interested in enrolling for this certification but i would like to know if you receive a valid transcript on your mailbox or is just a electronic certificate (eg. a PDF file).

Remedymp

I may have missed it, but did you have a Masters before this or is this only your post-undergraduate education?

I am asking because I am debating on whether or not I should pursue the certificate or just go full masters degree? (especially looking at the cost)

Replicon

@Remedymp, if the question is addressed to me, I already have master degree.
Depending on which university you'll go, but I think master should be more worth than this certificate even though its from stanford its still a certificate and one might even debate whether this should be under certificates or education section on linkedin.

MSP-IT

omg wrote: »

I'm also interested in enrolling for this certification but i would like to know if you receive a valid transcript on your mailbox or is just a electronic certificate (eg. a PDF file).

You receive a printed certificate.

MSP-IT

Remedymp wrote: »

I may have missed it, but did you have a Masters before this or is this only your post-undergraduate education?

I am asking because I am debating on whether or not I should pursue the certificate or just go full masters degree? (especially looking at the cost)

I only had an undergraduate degree prior to pursuing this certificate. I am nearly finished with my MBA now.

ns3geek

Hi,

I have one question regarding the grading system of Stanford University Advance Computer Security Certificate. They have S = Satisfactory - A or B equivalent. What A or B equivalent means here? Thanks in advance for reply

ns3geek

Hi,
I have one question regarding the grading system of Stanford University Advance Computer Security Certificate. They have S = Satisfactory - A or B equivalent. What A or B equivalent means here? Thanks in advance for reply

vaneets

Hi OP,

Thanks for sharing your experience. I would like to raise Replicon's question again. Based on your experience or anyone who has finished this cert, the only course that worries me is secure code writing. I have been an Infrastructure guy and just finished my WGU MSCSIA. How hard is the secure code writing exam? I'm seriously considering enrolling.
Thanks