One thing is evident from the current state of cyber threats: developing secure software is crucial, not optional. Attackers continue to take advantage of flaws in commonly used devices, affecting both the public and private sectors, as evidenced by the MOVEit and Barracuda attacks in 2023.
And a loss goes beyond one’s reputation harm. Software companies are held responsible for insecure development practices by regulatory agencies like as the FTC and SEC. To fulfill rising compliance requirements and safeguard their users, organizations must adopt a proactive approach to software security.
This material is for you to initiate the process of software development security best practices and safeguard your business.
What Is Secure Software Development?
From planning to deployment, secure software development, which is frequently associated with DevSecOps, incorporates security into all stages of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Security is integrated into requirements gathering, design, coding, testing, and delivery rather than being a last item on a checklist.
As a result, the window of vulnerability exposure is greatly reduced, and the cost of resolving problems is decreased. For example, it is much less expensive to remedy a bug in design than it is to fix it in production. Important procedures consist of:
- Testing early and continuously (both static and dynamic),
- Documenting security requirements alongside functional specs,
- Performing risk analysis during design.
What Is a Secure Software Development Policy?
An organized software development environment security best practices is known as a secure software development policy. It outlines the roles, duties, and training of the team:
- Procedures for safe code storage, access control, and version control,
- Tool, environment, and programming practice requirements,
- Rules in compliance with industry norms such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2.
This policy serves as the cornerstone for coordinating personnel, procedures, and equipment to minimize vulnerabilities and exhibit due diligence. According to Dave Brennan, vice president of engineering at Hyperproof:
“Security requires a layered approach—knowing the risks, training your team, enforcing repeatable processes, and continuously updating based on what’s happening in the industry.”
Why Use Best Practices in Security Testing for Software Development?
Structure and uniformity are provided by frameworks such as the NIST Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF). They promote compliance and lower risk while assisting teams in answering the question, “What should we do next?” Practices are categorized by NIST SSDF into four stages:
- Get the organization ready.
- Adapt tools, personnel, and procedures to security needs.
- Keep the software safe.
- Protect environments and programs from illegal access and manipulation.
- Create Software That Is Secure
- Create, examine, and test code that incorporates security.
- Address Vulnerabilities
- Rapidly identify and address vulnerabilities, then learn from them to get better.
Practices, assignments, examples of implementation, and citations to reliable material are all included in each step.
Phase 1: Prepare the Organization
Aligning internal and external requirements, delegating responsibilities, offering training, and choosing tools that promote secure development are the main objectives of this phase. For instance:
- Describe the architectural guidelines and security code standards.
- Assign training programs and duties unique to SSDF.
- Keep compliance audit trails.
- Utilize automated technologies to collect input and confirm standards.
Phase 2: Protect the Software
Ensuring confidentiality and integrity across all components and code is the aim here. For instance:
- Code should be kept in repositories with controlled access.
- For any changes, use version control.
- Distribute software release cryptographic hashes.
- Use reliable certificates to sign the code.
Phase 3: Produce Well-Secured Software
This is where execution and security collide. Teams adhere to secure coding best practices, validate third-party compliance, and apply secure design concepts. For instance:
- Incorporate security checks into vendor contracts by modeling threats and evaluating risks throughout design.
- Make use of both automatic and manual testing (pen, DAST, and SAST).
- Establish secure defaults and record configuration instructions.
Phase 4: Respond to Vulnerabilities
Speed of response is important when vulnerabilities appear. This stage describes how to promptly identify and address problems, then utilize the information to stop reoccurring occurrences. For instance:
- Keep a plan in place for responding to vulnerabilities.
- Sort remediation tasks according to their impact.
- Keep note of trends and record the underlying causes.
- Modify SDLC guidelines to lower risk in the future.
To sum up, maintaining security best practices software development is crucial. So let’s consider exact examples of actions you might take.
Top 10 Software Development Security Best Practices
By incorporating security into every stage of your development process, you can stay ahead of cyber threats. These ten crucial procedures will help you create software that is secure and resilient right from the start.
Start with Security in Mind
Plan how to include security into each stage of the SDLC before writing a single line of code. Utilize automation’s power to test and track vulnerabilities right away. The earliest stages of development are the best times to start integrating security into your code and culture.
Make security part of the design phase, not just testing.
Establish a Formal Development Policy
This will give you guidelines for getting your technology, personnel, and procedures ready to carry out secure software development. Specific guidelines for addressing and implementing security in every stage of the SDLC are provided by this official policy. Furthermore, it establishes the guidelines and roles necessary to assist your personnel, procedures, and equipment in reducing the risk of vulnerabilities in software development.
Use a Secure Development Framework
Leverage NIST SSDF, OWASP, or SAFECode guidance. Your team’s efforts to follow safe software best practices will gain structure and consistency if you use a tried-and-true framework like NIST SSDF. Frameworks can aid all new software developers by providing an answer to the question, “What do we do next?”
Design for Security
Establish all security requirements precisely, then instruct developers on how to produce code that complies with them by utilizing only secure coding techniques. Because they can create an easy conduit for an attack, be sure all of your third-party vendors understand your security needs and exhibit compliance. Include threat modeling, secure architecture, and validated third-party tools.
Safeguard Code Integrity
To avoid tampering, keep all code in secure repositories and grant only authorized access. To maintain integrity, strictly control all interactions with the code, keep an eye on modifications, and keep a tight eye on the code signing procedure. Control access, track changes, and verify builds with cryptographic tools.
Test Early and Often
Depart from the conventional development approach of testing code at the conclusion of the software development life cycle. Instead, continuously check code for errors using automated testing and developer reviews. Finding vulnerabilities early in the life cycle helps developers avoid annoyance later on and saves money and time. Shift testing left with static, dynamic, and peer reviews throughout development.
Plan for Rapid Remediation
In software development, vulnerabilities are inevitable. Being prepared with a team, plan, and procedures in place to handle crises in real-time is more important than whether they happen. Keep in mind that the quicker you find and fix vulnerabilities, the less time there is for them to be exploited. Build response teams and processes before a vulnerability strikes.
Set Secure Defaults
Due to their ignorance of the features of their new software, many consumers continue to be at risk. The consumer will be safeguarded during the initial phases of adoption thanks to this extra touch of customer service. Help customers stay protected from the start.
Use Checklists
When developing software securely, there are a lot of moving components to keep an eye on. At regular intervals, such weekly or monthly meetings, assist your team by using action checklists to make sure all required security policies and procedures are up to date and operational. Review compliance steps regularly to stay aligned.
Stay Proactive
Seasoned software engineers research vulnerabilities, identifying patterns, preventing recurrences, and improving their SDLC with new information. They also keep abreast of best practices and keep an eye on developments.
“Security best practices aren’t standing still. Keep learning, stay current, and improve,” says Dave Brennan in his parting counsel. Thus, security best practices aren’t stagnant; the field is always changing. Therefore, regardless of the security measures you are taking, it is essential to anticipate future developments, continue to learn, and find more effective ways to secure your software development process.
Conclusion
Developing safe software is not only a technical requirement, but also a business imperative in the threat-filled environment of today. By integrating best practices in security testing for software development, companies may cut risk, save money on remediation, and gain the trust of both regulators and users. Consistency and attention to detail are crucial whether you’re adopting your safe development policy or adhering to a formal framework like NIST SSDF.
Remember, you put your company in a position to produce software that is not only functional but also genuinely secure by getting your teams ready, safeguarding your code, and acting fast to address vulnerabilities.