Secure Software Development

Traditionally, the software development lifecycle (SDLC) managed security within production environments. This is no longer tenable. Addressing the unique challenges of modern applications and ecosystems requires a new approach. 

What is Secure Software Development?

Secure software development makes security the foundation of the SDLC, integrating testing, controls, and best practices directly into developer workflows. Rather than a barrier or an afterthought, security becomes a proactive way to save time and reduce costs. Identifying and addressing vulnerabilities early in the development process also both reduces the risk of a security breach and streamlines remediation.

Why is Secure Software Development Crucial?

Cyberincidents, especially those that expose sensitive customer data, can be extremely damaging. In addition to eroding trust and threatening a business’s position in the market, they may lead to both legal and regulatory repercussions. This is in addition to potential lost revenue due to service disruptions and the cost of response and remediation. 

While a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) doesn’t eliminate the chance of cyberattack, it significantly reduces the damage an attacker may cause. Early identification and remediation of vulnerabilities and misconfigurations leaves threat actors with fewer potential targets, while secure practices offer protection against tactics such as code injection. 

SSDLC is also the basis of DevSecOps, enabling cross-functional collaboration between security engineers and application developers. 

Key Principles of Secure Software Development 

Secure software development is built upon several core concepts and practices:

Standards-Based Approach

A SSDLC includes documented policies on the following, typically based on guidance such as The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) secure software development framework: 

• Vulnerability management
• Risk management
• Remediation workflows
• Acceptable use
• Testing and validation
• Incident response and recovery
• Access and version control

Security by Design

Secure software development treats security requirements are with the same importance as operational and functional requirements. It bakes controls and countermeasures directly into the core architecture of each software project, allowing an organization to shift security left.  

Defense in Depth

Security is layered throughout the development pipeline to provide multiple redundant safeguards and controls. These may include secure coding practices such as input validation, ongoing education about secure practices, automated code scanning on pull requests, and clear separation of coding, testing, and operational roles.

Least Privilege and Zero Trust Access

No employee is given access to any permissions or privileges they don’t strictly need to do their job. Instead, responsibilities are clearly delineated throughout the SSDLC. Additionally, every entity within the development pipeline must authenticate and continuously validate its identity. 

Continuous Testing

To catch vulnerabilities and misconfigurations as soon as possible, security testing occurs throughout development. This applies both to internal resources as well as third-party dependencies and frameworks. 

Ecosystem-Wide Visibility

Real-time visibility into both code and dependencies is essential for a successful SSDLC. Combine automated scanning and built-in guardrails with a continually-updated software bill of materials (SBOM).

How to Implement Security at Each Stage of the SDLC

Follow the steps below to embed security throughout your development lifecycle.

FAQ

How does secure software development improve business outcomes?

A secure development process accelerates your software’s time-to-market without putting your data or infrastructure at risk. In addition to reducing the chance of a costly breach, it also simplifies regulatory compliance. For organizations working in highly secure or privacy-focused industries, SSDLC can also demonstrate trustworthiness to prospective clients. 

What are the risks of ignoring secure software development best practices?

The primary risk is a greater risk of experiencing a security incident. This comes hand-in-hand with costlier and more complex remediation, potential reputational damage, and possible regulatory penalties. Loss of customer trust aside, a breach may, in the worst-case scenario, even result in a lawsuit. 

Can secure development practices slow down delivery timelines?

Only if improperly implemented. If embraced as part of a DevSecOps strategy, secure development practices often streamline the development process by addressing time-consuming issues such as production rollbacks and emergency patches. 

How can secure software development address zero-day vulnerabilities?

Primarily by mitigating their impact through proactive detection, identification, and remediation. Secure failover mechanisms can also help prevent damage from unforeseen issues.