Tag Archives: Coding

Cybersecurity, News, Technology

Secure Code Warrior Spotlights the Importance of Developer Security Skills with 2nd Annual Devlympics Competition

The global secure coding competition to be held during Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Secure Code Warrior, the global, developer-driven security leader, today announced that it will host its second annual Devlympics secure coding competition October 19-20. The competition will give developers around the world the opportunity to test their skills against vulnerabilities in code and put their secure coding skills to work. The winner will be crowned, “The Ultimate Warrior” and receive a cash prize.

Building a strong organisational culture focused on cybersecurity has never been more important in today’s society where vulnerable code in software remains quite pervasive. Secure Code Warrior is leading the way to help cultivate that culture by exciting and upskilling developers through friendly competition. In the last year alone, the company has hosted over 800 tournaments attended by more than 18,000 participants.

“Last year’s inaugural Devlympics saw nearly 2,000 developers participate around the globe, and the impressive turnout further demonstrated why the developer community desires more inclusive, friendly forums like ours to engage and compete with one another to sharpen their skills,” said Pieter Danhieux, CEO and Co-Founder, Secure Code Warrior. “We’re proud to serve as that go-to tournament destination and look forward to continuing to make this the most sought after, security skills competition for years to come.”

Devlympics 2022 builds on the great successes experienced during last year’s inaugural event by doubling its duration (24 straight hours) and offering a wider variety of challenges. The competition is free-to-enter, and will feature two interactive arenas and 11 individual tournaments covering 45 languages. Participants will compete in hands-on challenges at varying degrees of difficulty to earn points against the clock as they climb the leaderboard.

The marquee tournament will run on Secure Code Warrior’s flagship Learning Platform, allowing organisations and professionals to build their understanding of preventative secure coding techniques through an interactive, competitive tournament. In addition, developers can now access Secure Code Warrior’s recently launched Secure Code Coach, the new go-to community microsite to build security skills and awareness. With a range of handy secure coding guidelines, hands-on missions, and videos, Secure Code Coach offers the latest best practices to ensure developers are equipped with all they need to ship secure code at speed.

About Secure Code Warrior

Secure Code Warrior builds a culture of security-driven developers by giving them the skills to code securely. Our flagship Learning Platform delivers relevant skills-based pathways, hands-on missions, and contextual tools for developers to rapidly learn, build, and apply their skills to write secure code at speed. Established in 2015, Secure Code Warrior has become a critical component for over 450 enterprises including leading financial services, retail, and global technology companies across the world.

 

 

 

News, Technology

Secure Code Warrior Launches Integration with GitLab to Help Developers Build and Release Secure Software Faster

The partnership will enable developers to shift-left and leverage Secure Code Warrior contextual learning

Secure Code Warrior, the global developer driven security leader, today announced it has joined GitLab Inc.’s global partner program. As part of the partnership, Secure Code Warrior will make its learning platform capabilities available to developers on GitLab’s DevOps Platform, supporting a developer-led security approach. Additionally, this integration will enhance real-time secure coding guidance that is pivotal when detecting and fixing vulnerabilities efficiently.

Secure Code Warrior Co-founder and CEO, Pieter Danhieux, said: “Developers are expected to deliver code faster than ever before, which can make security oftentimes an afterthought. However, if developers can get actionable secure coding guidance throughout their workflows, they’ll be enabled to find and fix vulnerabilities whilst taking their security knowledge to the next level. We’re proud to partner with GitLab to give millions of developers an easier pathway to make this a reality.”

Secure Code Warrior’s goal is to embed security into developers’ workflow, assisting them to rise to the challenge of creating a higher standard of code quality. The current culture around the role of the developer in security best practices is, in most organisations, limited at best. However, with true developer enablement – implemented in a way that makes sense in their world – organisations can ignite a passion for cyber defense through secure coding, maximising developer’s productivity and code quality.

“GitLab is excited to cultivate a partnership with Secure Code Warrior,” said Nima Badiey, Vice President of Global Alliances at GitLab. “Security has become top of mind for many organisations; however, software development teams still contend with increasingly complicated security policies and sophisticated tools just to prevent potential vulnerabilities from slipping into production. By offering Secure Code Warrior’s contextual learning across secure coding in our DevOps Platform, we provide another tool for developers to utilise as they take more ownership and control of establishing security practices earlier in the development chain.”

For more information on Secure Code Warrior, visit https://www.securecodewarrior.com/company/partners.

About Secure Code Warrior

Secure Code Warrior builds a culture of security-driven developers by giving them the skills to code securely. Our flagship Learning Platform delivers relevant skills-based pathways, hands-on missions, and contextual tools for developers to rapidly learn, build, and apply their skills to write secure code at speed.

Established in 2015, Secure Code Warrior has become a critical component for over 450 enterprises including leading financial services, retail, and global technology companies across the world.

News

Five top tips to make the jump into a coding career

The art of coding is reported to enhance productivity and communication within businesses, therefore, it is fast becoming a sought-after skill by employers1.As the tech industry continues its exponential growth and becomes an integral part of every business, where’s the best place to start for a career in coding?

Online smartphone retailer, e2save, enlisted the help of developers in a range of roles, to share advice for those looking to break into a career in coding.

Don’t worry about which language you learn at first

Learning code is just like learning a new language and takes patience and hard work. Luke Davis, founder of Pandog Media, advises simply picking a language you enjoy: “Whatever language you choose to learn, take it at your own pace. I started coding in Python last October and I had moments where I saw other people doing these really cool projects and I felt like I was way behind and never going to get there. I skipped steps and tried to reach them without knowing the syntax and I got lost in it all. So I stepped back, focused on the course I was following and got back on track.”

Get some practical experience

When it comes to using code in practice, whilst theory and courses are a great option, learning with practical and relevant tasks are often most effective. Gulliver Whaite, Logistics Manager at Huel, advises: “I had an issue and an end result I wanted, so I just had to work out how to reach it step by step. I spent time Googling each line of code until eventually, I had a script that did what I wanted – and I was motivated because it would save me time.

“So find something you want to achieve, then work on that and only that. The rest follows much easier once you’ve started, and starting is much easier if you’re motivated.”

Use all the tools at your disposal

There are plenty of methods to help you start your coding journey nowadays, often with different options to suit different learning styles. Incorporating your learning into everyday life can be an extremely effective learning tool, which can be achieved with various coding apps on the market. Platforms like SoloLearn, for example, provide thousands of lessons in coding available across multiple devices, so you can easily learn on-the-go, or dedicate more time to lessons at home.

Other platforms, such as Udemy, often run free trials or offers on courses such as “Automate the Boring Stuff”, which can be a fantastic resource for people who are looking to automate daily tasks and save time.

Find a community

Kimberley Cook is a director at codebar, which runs global coding workshops for underrepresented groups, her advice is to find like-minded people to help: “Learning a new skill is hard, regardless of what it is. Find a community, such as codebar, so you can regularly get together and chat with people who are also learning. You’ll be able to support and guide each other whilst also learning new skills from on another at the same time.

“Find a mentor who is experienced in the area you want to work in and ask to catch up with them regularly. They’ll also be able to give you advice and support along your journey.”

Remember there’s no right way to learn

It can be easy to get caught up in what others are doing or recommending, but the most important thing is to take it at your own pace and remember there’s no right or wrong way to learn to code, Luke says: “You can use online courses, YouTube videos, books – just choose anything that makes it easier for you to understand the language.”

Kimberley adds: “Don’t feel pressured to do a bootcamp, there are so many resources out there to try. My method is likely slower than getting a teacher or an app, but the things I learnt are much more relevant and entrenched in my brain. When it comes to language, Python can be great for beginners, but ultimately just pick something you enjoy and go with it.”

Karl Middleton, mobile expert at e2save, commented: “Whether it’s for a new career or simply just a hobby, learning to code can provide you with plenty of valuable skills you can transfer into your day-to-day life. All of the tech we use in modern life is powered by some form of code, so beginning to understand this can unlock all kinds of new and exciting opportunities and experiences

“By no means is coding the easiest thing to learn, but it’s certainly not impossible. There are so many apps, platforms and groups that exist now to help everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals.”

To find out more about the best apps to help you learn something new, visit: https://www.e2save.com/community/top-apps-to-help-you-learn-something-new/