Is this course hands-on?

Yes. Each module includes case studies, quizzes, and practical exercises to apply what you learn.

Will I earn a certificate?

Yes. You’ll receive a completion certificate for this track. Completing all three tracks grants the Bitcoin+ Security™ Certification.

Will I learn about emerging threats?

Yes. Stay ahead of hackers and fraudsters by understanding the latest exploits and security techniques.

How will I be assessed?

Through short quizzes, interactive tasks, and a final checkpoint assignment.

What tools will I use?

You’ll exploreBitcoin Core, Blockchair, and Blockchain APIs to understand real-world security in action.

Are there any prerequisites?

Basic computer knowledge is enough. Programming experience (Python, C++, or JavaScript) is a plus but not required.

What’s next after this track?

Continue toTrack 2: Bitcoin Transaction & Network Securityto advance your skills in scripting, wallets, and network defense.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

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.

Is financial aid available?

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.

Bitcoin Security Foundations

Bitcoin Security Foundations

This course is part of Securing the Assets: Bitcoin Security Specialization

Instructor: AI CERTs Team

Included with

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Bitcoin Security Fundamentals: Understand how cryptography, hashing, and consensus secure transactions and prevent double-spending.
Threats & Vulnerabilities:Identify key attack vectors like Sybil, replay, and routing attacks, and learn how to mitigate them.
Network & Node Security: Explore peer-to-peer node validation, data propagation, and secure network configuration using Bitcoin Core.
Hands-On Defense Labs: Simulate attacks, analyze exploits, and apply security best practices in controlled, Python-based lab environments.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Securing the Assets: Bitcoin Security 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 3 modules in this course

Begin your journey into Bitcoin security with Track 1: Bitcoin Security Foundations, the first course in the Bitcoin+ Security™ Specialization. Designed for developers and blockchain professionals, this course introduces the principles that keep the Bitcoin network trusted, resilient, and tamper-proof.

You’ll explore how blockchain consensus, mining, and node validation work together to secure transactions, and uncover the cryptographic mechanisms—hashing, keys, and digital signatures—that safeguard assets and data integrity. Through guided labs, interactive quizzes, and real-world exercises using Bitcoin Core, Python, and open blockchain frameworks, you’ll see security in action, not just theory. By the end of this track, you’ll understand how vulnerabilities emerge, how the Bitcoin protocol mitigates them, and why its decentralized architecture remains the gold standard for digital trust. Completing this foundation prepares you to advance to the next track—Network & Wallet Security—on your way to earning the full Bitcoin+ Security™ Certification.

This module covers a quick summary of what the certification is going to cover from start to finish. Here is the brief about the structure of the overall certification: Each of our certifications follows a consistent, multimodal structure to provide a flexible learning experience. The content is available across four formats: eBooks: In-depth written material for focused learning. Audiobooks: Audio version of the eBook, perfect for learning on the go. Podcasts: Engaging audio content to reinforce key concepts. Videos: Modular video chunks, each covering a specific topic. The names of the eBooks, Audiobooks, and Podcasts are the same, ensuring you can seamlessly switch between formats without losing track of the content. Videos are divided into bite-sized modules for easier consumption, and all content across these mediums is consistent, so no matter which format you choose, the information remains the same. This gives you the freedom to learn in the way that works best for you.

What's included

14 videos1 assignment5 plugins

14 videos Total 131 minutes

Course Introduction 5 minutes
Audio Book: Introduction Bitcoin+ Security 6 minutes
Audio Book: Introduction to Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies 58 minutes
Podcast: Introduction to Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies 18 minutes
1.1 Overview and Brief History of Bitcoin Blockchain 5 minutes
1.2 Philosophical and Technological Motivations Behind Bitcoin Proposition 4 minutes
1.3 Blockchain Structure and Components 4 minutes
1.4 Mining and Proof-of-Work (PoW) Mechanism 4 minutes
1.5 Decentralized Consensus and Network Validation 5 minutes
1.6 Introduction to Cryptocurrencies 7 minutes
1.7 Types of Cryptocurrencies 4 minutes
1.8 Cryptographic Hashing 3 minutes
1.9 Public Key Cryptography and Digital Signatures in Bitcoin 4 minutes
1.10 Merkle Trees and Their Role in Bitcoin Blockchain 4 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Quiz 1 30 minutes

5 plugins Total 75 minutes

eBook: Module 1: Introduction to Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies 15 minutes
Activity: Drag and drop 15 minutes
Activity: Tab Activity 15 minutes
Activity: Text Entry 15 minutes
Graded Assessment- 5 Questions 15 minutes

What's included

8 videos1 assignment5 plugins

8 videos Total 68 minutes

Audio Book: Bitcoin Blockchain Ledger Security 27 minutes
Podcast: Bitcoin Blockchain Ledger Security 19 minutes
2.1 Hashing and Immutability in Blockchain Security 6 minutes
2.2 Authentication and Authorization with Digital Signatures and Public Key Cryptography 4 minutes
2.3 Security Implications and Defensive Measures 3 minutes
2.4 Technical Aspects and Source Code 3 minutes
2.5 Efficiency and Compact Representation 3 minutes
2.6 Integrity and Tamper-Evident 3 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Quiz 2 30 minutes

5 plugins Total 75 minutes

Module 2: Bitcoin Blockchain Ledger Security 15 minutes
Activity: Timeline 15 minutes
Activity: Tab activity 15 minutes
Activity: Sequence 15 minutes
Graded Assessment- 5 Questions 15 minutes

What's included

8 videos1 assignment6 plugins

8 videos Total 89 minutes

Audio Book: Consensus Protocols and Security 42 minutes
Podcast: Consensus Protocols and Security 24 minutes
3.1 PoW and Fraud Prevention 4 minutes
3.2 Mining, Validation, and Trust in Decentralized Blockchains 3 minutes
3.3 Security Benefits and Limitations of PoW 6 minutes
3.4 PoS and Benefits 3 minutes
3.5 Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) and Benefits 4 minutes
3.6 Understanding 51% Attacks 4 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Quiz 3 30 minutes

6 plugins Total 90 minutes

Module 3: Consensus Protocols and Security 15 minutes
Activity: Sequence 15 minutes
Activity: True/False 15 minutes
Activity: Scenario 15 minutes
Activity: Drag and drop 15 minutes
Graded Assessment- 5 Questions 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

AI CERTs Team

AI CERTs

54 Courses 23,920 learners

Offered by

AI CERTs

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Frequently asked questions

Beginners and professionals looking to understand how Bitcoin’s blockchain stays secure — ideal for developers, cybersecurity, and IT professionals.

No. This track starts from the basics of Bitcoin and blockchain before introducing core security concepts.

You’ll gain a solid grasp of how Bitcoin’s security model works — from protecting the blockchain ledger to maintaining consensus and defending against network-level attacks.

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.