Software Is Increasingly Responsible for Safety

Modern safety-critical systems depend on software. Aircraft, vehicles, ships, rail systems, industrial equipment and other complex systems increasingly rely on software to perform functions that can affect safety. But software safety can be difficult to understand. Software engineers may understand software development but have limited experience with system safety. Safety engineers may understand hazards and risk but have limited experience with software development. Systems engineers and managers often have to bridge the gap between the two. Highlight This course helps you bridge that gap. Supporting points You will learn how to connect: System Safety → Hazards → Safety Requirements → Software Requirements → Design → Implementation → Verification → Validation → Assurance

START LEARNING NOW

Built for Engineers Who Work Across the Software–Safety Boundary

Build a practical foundation in software development, software safety and safety assurance — whether you're a software engineer, safety engineer, systems engineer or engineering manager.

  • Software Engineers | You know software. Now learn safety. Understand hazards, safety requirements, assurance and the expectations placed on software in safety-critical systems.

  • Safety Engineers | You know safety. Now understand software. Develop a practical understanding of software development and the issues that make software safety different.

  • Systems Engineers | Connect software with system safety. Understand how software fits into the broader system lifecycle and safety argument.

  • Engineering & Project Managers | Ask better questions. Make better decisions. Gain enough understanding to manage software-safety activities, challenge assumptions and communicate effectively with specialists.

From Software Development to Software Safety

  • Before Without a software-safety foundation, you may:

    • struggle to understand safety standards; • treat software as a black box; • find it difficult to connect hazards to software requirements; • focus on testing without understanding the wider assurance argument; • struggle to communicate with safety engineers or software engineers; • find standards such as DO-178C, IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 difficult to navigate.

  • After completing this course, you will be able to:

    • explain the fundamental principles of software safety; • understand how software can contribute to system hazards; • explain the relationship between system and software safety requirements; • understand the role of verification, validation and assurance; • recognise common principles across major safety standards; • explain the different approaches taken by DO-178C, IEC 61508 and ISO 26262; • communicate more effectively with software and safety specialists.

Simon Di Nucci FIE(Aust), CPEng, MSc

30+ years Safety-critical engineering experience. | Multiple industries. | Experience across complex safety-critical systems Practical focus. | Engineering principles rather than standards memorisation.

Is This Course Right for You?

  • Do I need to be a software engineer?

    No. The course is designed for software engineers, safety engineers, systems engineers, and managers who need to understand software safety.

  • Do I need previous safety-engineering experience?

    No. The course provides an introduction to the relevant software and safety concepts.

  • Is this a DO-178C compliance course?

    No. It introduces the principles behind DO-178C / ED-12C rather than providing clause-by-clause compliance instruction.

  • Does it cover IEC 61508 and ISO 26262?

    Yes. Both are introduced alongside DO-178C / ED-12C, with a focus on their software-safety principles and how the standards compare.

  • Can I complete it at my own pace?

    Yes. The course is delivered online and is designed for self-paced learning.

  • How much time should I allow?

    There are more than three hours of video instruction, plus time for quizzes, reviewing resources and reflecting on the material.

  • Do I get a Digital Badge and Certificate?

    Yes! When you pass the course, you will get a Digital Badge and Certificate, issued by Sertifier Inc., an independent third party.

Course curriculum

    1. Introduction to the Course

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Software Development Lesson (highlights)

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Software Safety Facts Lesson (highlights)

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Software Safety Principles Lesson (highlights)

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Overview of SW Standards Lesson (highlights)

      FREE PREVIEW

    6. Standard DO-178 Lesson (highlights)

      FREE PREVIEW

    7. Standard IEC 61508 Lesson (highlights)

      FREE PREVIEW

    8. Standard ISO 26262 Lesson (highlights)

      FREE PREVIEW

    9. Review of Standards Lessons (highlights)

      FREE PREVIEW

    10. Lessons Learned Lesson (highlights)

      FREE PREVIEW

    11. Course Slides

    1. Software Development Facts Lesson

    2. Software Development Facts - Transcript

    3. Software Development Facts - Quiz

    1. Software Safety Facts Lesson

    2. Software Safety Facts - Transcript

    3. Software Safety Facts - Quiz

    1. Safe Software Principles Lesson

    2. Safe Software Principles - Transcript

    3. Safe Software Principles - Quiz

    1. Overview of SW Standards Lesson

    2. Overview of Software Standards - Transcript

    3. Overview of Software Standards - Quiz

    1. Standard DO-178 & Principles

    2. RTCA DO-178 - Transcript

    3. RTCA DO-178 - Quiz

About this course

  • $225.00
  • 38 lessons
  • 3 hours of video content