Secure Software Tips for Software Engineers
Information at the root of every business transaction and process is being targeted. From presidents executing executive orders on cybersecurity to data breaches that can cost businesses millions of dollars, the software responsible for handling today’s crucial information is the main target for cyberattacks.
Software engineers can incorporate security as an integral aspect of their development. But they should be properly trained and equipped. In the course of a recent Twitter Space conversation, New Relic’s Harry Kimpel & Frank Dornberger discussed the importance of establishing an attitude of security that goes beyond application vulnerability to include integrity of the application and reliability of the system.
It is crucial to make it clear that security is a key element of the SDLC that spans from requirements development to release and testing. It’s helpful to use an approach like the NIST Secure Software Design Framework to provide structure and consistency to team efforts and ensure that they follow best practices.
Using well-maintained, well-known frameworks and libraries can limit the vulnerability of your software, as they are likely to be regularly patched. Similarly, ensuring that all third-party components are inspected for security issues and in accordance with your company’s policies could be beneficial. In order to better understand the risk associated with open source components, it is important to keep an inventory, or software bill of material, that covers all your components.
The most effective security is incorporated into the daily work practices and team culture. To foster a healthy, collaboration-based culture, boost team members to be happy, and boost cross-team communication, which can all lead to better and more sustainable software security.