4 Ways Software Developers Can Enhance Software Security

Cybersecurity has become a hot topic in the world of software development because cybercriminals have devised many effective strategies to infiltrate applications to carry out nefarious acts. To counter these strategies, developers employ a wide range of security measures and have adopted the secure-by-design approach to app development.

These measures include rigorous testing during development and just before the product is launched for public use. Two common security tests that occur in app development are Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Software Composition Analysis (SCA), both of which are used to find vulnerabilities that can potentially be exploited by cybercriminals.

There is an ongoing debate about which of those methods is more effective at detecting and addressing vulnerabilities while ensuring applications are released as quickly as possible. To read a full breakdown of SAST vs SCA, click the highlighted text. Besides those forms of testing, there are many other steps software developers can take to enhance the security of the applications they build. These include:

1. Regular security patching

It is almost impossible to eliminate all vulnerabilities in software. However, it is important for software developers to constantly scan for vulnerabilities and bugs and regularly release patches and updates to fix them. Any vulnerability found must be patched as soon as possible, so cybercriminals do not have the opportunity to exploit them.

1. Requiring user authentication frequently

App developers should require their users to authenticate their identity while using their applications as frequently as possible and whenever they want to view sensitive information. For example, if they copy the URL of a page containing sensitive information and paste it into a browser, they must be required to log in again to view that page. Another example can be requiring users to enter their login information when trying to view the details of a virtual debit card in a bank application.

1. Vetting third-party tools

Developers frequently integrate third-party tools with their applications to add features that are not built natively into said applications. However, they must vet these tools to ensure that their creators have taken the appropriate security measures necessary to prevent cyber attacks. This is necessary because if an integrated third-party tool is compromised, the application can also be affected.

1. Not adding backdoors to software

While it may seem like a good idea to add a backdoor to software while it is in development, it usually has negative consequences. This is because cybercriminals can find and exploit them to access sensitive data, which often includes the personal information of the application’s users. Data breaches involving user data can be devastating because the affected company will suffer reputational damage and possibly violate data privacy laws.

Endnote

Cybersecurity should be prioritized in the software development process to prevent malicious actors from gaining unwanted access to applications and wreaking havoc. The security measures they take should include the aforementioned steps as well as testing to find vulnerabilities. Two effective forms of testing are Application Security Testing and Software Composition Analysis, both of which are massively beneficial if used correctly.

Software Security