Learning path · Intermediate

Backend Developer

APIs, data and the security between them.

Learn the server side end to end: HTTP, Node, relational and document databases, containers and the security baseline every service needs.

12 weeks 5 courses 50 lessons 5 certificates

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The sequence

5 courses, in the right order.

Each step assumes only what came before it. Follow the sequence or jump to a course you need.

Step 1 · Intermediate

Node.js Foundations

Open course

Move from browser JavaScript to reliable server code. Learn modules, HTTP, Express, asynchronous errors, authentication and the security headers a real API needs.

From script to service

0/10 lessons0%

Node.js Foundations

Step 2 · Intermediate

PostgreSQL Foundations

Open course

Go beyond basic SQL. Design schemas, write joins and aggregations, read query plans, add the right indexes and protect data with transactions and roles.

A database you can operate

0/10 lessons0%

PostgreSQL Foundations

Step 3 · Beginner

MongoDB Foundations

Open course

Learn document modelling, CRUD, query operators, aggregation and indexes. Understand when a document database fits and how to avoid unbounded arrays and accidental schema drift.

Documents with discipline

0/10 lessons0%

MongoDB Foundations

Step 4 · Beginner

Docker Foundations

Open course

Understand images, containers, layers, volumes and networks. Write a production-minded Dockerfile, compose a multi-service stack and reduce the attack surface of what you ship.

Ship the environment with the app

0/10 lessons0%

Docker Foundations

Step 5 · Beginner

Cybersecurity Foundations

Open course

Learn threat modelling, authentication, web attack classes, browser defenses and incident response. A practical security baseline for developers who ship real applications.

A security baseline you can use

0/10 lessons0%

Cybersecurity Foundations

Portfolio project

Task API with a security baseline

Build and containerise a small API with real data and safe defaults.

about 8 hours Portfolio piece

The brief

Create a task API backed by PostgreSQL or MongoDB. Add validation, consistent error responses, rate limiting and a containerised local setup.

DeliverableA running API, migrations or seed data, tests and a security checklist.

Stretch goals

Add structured request logging.
Document one threat and how you mitigated it.

Acceptance criteria

0/6

Endpoints validate input and return consistent error shapes.
Data is persisted with migrations or a documented seed step.
Rate limiting protects at least one write endpoint.
Secrets come from environment variables and are not committed.
The container runs as a non-root user.
Tests cover the happy path and two failure cases.

Path complete

Finish with proof, not just a folder of files.

Complete every course in this path to collect 5 verifiable certificates. Each one has a unique public ID and a QR code that resolves to a live status record.

How certification works Verify a credential

Backend Developer50 lessons · 11 hours

Node.js FoundationsPostgreSQL FoundationsMongoDB FoundationsDocker FoundationsCybersecurity Foundations

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