Despite the apparent overhead it adds to SDLC, the reality of a security breach is much more damaging than any effort made initially. How do we integrate security into the complex process of creating software? It's just a matter of strategically introducing the best practices to integrate them into your development process.
What is Secure Software Development?
A secure software development methodology integrates security in every stage of software development. Security is built into the software from day one rather than being addressed only after tests reveal critical flaws. The planning stage is where security becomes a part of everything. It's incorporated before any code has been written.
Developers traditionally view security as a barrier to creativity and innovation, which delays product launches. This thinking hurts a company's bottom line because it costs six times as much to fix a problem during implementation or testing as to fix that same bug in the design phase.
How happy will the customers be about the new cool features in an application if it is full of vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit? Today, security is a priority in software development. Organizations that prioritize it will need help to remain competitive.
How can you make security a part of your SDLC from the start? Test early and often. Static and dynamic testing is a key secure software development approach component. Second, the development team should document both software security and functional requirements. The final step is to conduct a risk analysis when designing your product. This will help you determine potential threats.
Organizations must prepare their staff, technology, and processes for the challenge when attempting to provide secure software. A well-designed, secure software development strategy is the best preparation for any organization that wants to build secure software.
What is Secure Software Development Policy (SSDDP)?
Secure software development policies are a collection of guidelines detailing the best practices an organization can follow to reduce the risks of software vulnerabilities. The policy must also provide instructions on how to view, assess, and demonstrate security throughout each stage of SDLC. This includes risk management methods.
Secure software development policy must establish rules for your people. The team members should be well-informed about their duties and receive comprehensive training. They must also undergo a thorough employee screening. Segregating duties will ensure that no single person is in control of or has complete knowledge about a particular project. Testing protocols should be used to evaluate the employee's performance to ensure that all work is up to standard.
A secure software development policy should also include the processes necessary to protect software. Separating the development, test, and operational environments is one of the key factors in fostering autonomy and eliminating biases and unauthorized code changes. Another essential process is access control. This ensures that employees only have access to data relevant to their job. Version control can be used to keep track of all code changes and their sources.
As the first step of a tech-related policy for secure software development, it is important to establish the rules that govern programming languages and coding. The coding languages themselves can have many vulnerabilities. Developers must therefore be educated on the strategies to minimize attacks. Secure software development policies should include instructions on creating secure repositories for managing and storing code.
In certain cases, a policy for secure software development is not only recommended but also required. Organizations adhering to SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001, for example, must have a policy on secure software development. You can create your policy yourself or use resources such as the ISO 27001 Template Guide.
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Use a Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) to maintain consistency and ensure best practices
Many organizations gain from aligning practices to a framework that is well established, like NIST's secure custom software development services Framework. OWASP, SAFEcode, and other organizations have developed a set of resources for secure software development that provide detailed information on software security. These materials help reduce, mitigate, and eliminate future software vulnerabilities.
Take a look at the NIST recommended processes for secure software development, which are organized into four phases:
- Prepare the Organization (PO): Make sure that the people, processes, and technologies of an organization are ready to develop secure software at both the organizational level, as well as, sometimes, each project.
- Protect Software (PS): Prevent unauthorized or tampered access to all software components.
- Develop Well-Secured Software (PW): Software with minimal vulnerabilities.
- Response to Vulnerabilities: Identify and address vulnerabilities found in new software releases.
The following are the elements that define each practice:
- Practice: A short statement of a practice along with an identifier and an explanation as to what it is and how beneficial it is.
- Task: An individual (or a series of actions) must complete a particular practice.
- Implementation Example: A given scenario that could be used to demonstrate practice.
- Reference A document describing a secure development process and mapping it to a specific task.
These sections will provide an in-depth description of NIST's four processes for developing secure software.
Preparing the Organization: Tasks and Examples
The first step is clearly defining your company's software development security needs internally (Policies, Risk Management Strategies) and externally (Laws, Regulations). Teams are prepared with specific training for their roles. Security checks will be installed to improve the speed of SDLC and ensure that software is compliant with organizational standards.
The tasks include identifying, communicating, and maintaining all security requirements. The training regimes, the management support, and the tools are selected. The final step is to define benchmarks that will document the attainment of security standards.
Examples include:
- Developers need to know the specifics of coding and architecture.
- At least annually, and especially following incidents, review security standards.
- Creating training plans for SSDF roles, installing periodic reviews, and getting ready to keep up with any changes in the role over time.
- Automating the toolchain management process by defining categories and tools and specifying each.
- Create an audit trail for actions related to secure development
- Identification of key performance indicators using automated tools to collect feedback and review and documentation of all evidence for security checks to support standards
Useful Practices and Tasks to Protect Software
It is important to protect the code and ensure the integrity of the software before it reaches its end user. The process is centered on protecting code against unauthorized access, verifying software integrity, and safeguarding software after it has been released.
The primary goal is to store code using the principle of least privilege, ensuring that only those with authorization can access it. Every customer receives a copy with the components listed and information on integrity checks.
Examples include:
- Store code in a secure repository with restricted access
- Version control is a great way to keep track of all code changes.
- Code signing only with trusted certificate authorities and posting cryptographic hashes of the released software.
How to Produce Secure Software: Tasks, Practices, and Examples
This process is complex and includes many actors. The software must first be designed and tested to ensure it meets security standards. Third parties are then thoroughly screened to ensure they meet these security requirements. Developers then use best security practices when writing code and configure the build process to boost product security. The code is reviewed, analyzed, and tested using manual and automatic methods to identify vulnerabilities and confirm compliance. Finally, software defaults are configured to provide protection right out of the box. Trusted components can also be reused for production.
Tasks include:
- Creating trusted components.
- Using threat models to assess risks.
- Studying external requirements for security.
- Communicating with third parties.
- Verifying compliance.
Other tasks are using secure coding practices, employing industry-leading tools, and examining code from all angles by reviewing or analyzing it. The final tasks are to design and perform vulnerability tests, document the results, and fix all issues.
Setting secure defaults is another important task that some people consider above and beyond. They should be aligned with the platform's other security features before explaining their importance to administrators.
Examples include:
- Train a team of developers in the best building practices, risk assessment, and secure construction techniques
- Reviewing current designs and reviewing vulnerability reports from previous releases to make sure all security risks are considered
- Include security requirements when creating third-party contract policies and create policies for managing third-party risk
- Only develop in areas that require safe codes and avoid all other unsafe functions.
- Use only the latest, valid versions of compiler tools
- Combining peer reviews, static/dynamic analysis tests, and penetration testing to identify software vulnerabilities and documenting the results and lessons learned
- Building a repository for trusted building materials in an organization
- Documenting the proper use of administrators and verifying that security defaults are set to approved levels.
Identify and Respond to Vulnerabilities: Tasks, Practices, Examples
The job of a professional security analyst is not just about finding vulnerabilities. It also includes remediation. The final step focuses on identifying and correcting existing vulnerabilities, as well as gathering information for prevention in the future. After vulnerabilities are identified, they must be prioritized quickly and corrected. It is important to act quickly to reduce the time window threat actors can use for an attack. Once a vulnerability has been mitigated, it is important to identify the cause of that vulnerability to prevent future incidents.
This final phase includes gathering information about customers and testing code to find any flaws that have not been discovered, setting up a plan and process for rapid response, mitigation, and vulnerability management, creating and implementing remediation plans for identified vulnerabilities, as well as determining root causes to build a knowledge base for future prevention.
Also, it is important to analyze root causes over time to find patterns. The patterns can then be identified and remedied in other software. Finally, all SDLC components can be updated periodically to prevent similar problems in future releases.
Examples include:
- Create a program for vulnerability reporting and responding
- Automating code analysis and monitoring to detect vulnerabilities
- Prioritizing the remediation of each vulnerability and assessing its impact.
- The SSDF is being adjusted to include a suitable adjustment for future automatic detection.
Software Security Examples
It's crucial to know what activities fall under "security" in a software company before discussing how to integrate security into SDLC. We've listed a few practices that many software organizations are already implementing or planning to implement in one form or another. This list does not aim to be exhaustive but rather to show the different actions that can improve software security.
Static Analysis
Static analysis involves scanning the source code to detect defects and vulnerabilities. It is an automated procedure that detects patterns of unsecure code in a project, such as Infrastructure as Code (IaC), application code, and infrastructure code. This allows development teams to address issues before the end users are exposed.
Scanners for security
Security scanning, similar to static analysis, is an automated process that scans a whole application and its infrastructure and underlying components for vulnerabilities. It can take the form of port scanning, cross-site scripting, or container vulnerability scans (to name just a few).
Code Reviews
Even though automated scans are useful, having a second pair of eyes look at any code is always a good idea before it goes into production. Most development teams use code reviews to catch errors and defects. However, with a security-minded mindset, code reviews provide a valuable oversight that can help prevent less common vulnerabilities from being introduced to the codebase.
Tests for Penetration
Penetration testing is a much more intense practice involving hiring a cybersecurity expert to test the infrastructure security of a business. The penetration tester can do anything from vulnerability assessment to exploit execution. They will then produce a report detailing the issues.
Bug Bounties
Bug bounties are a newer but similar practice. They encourage users to find vulnerabilities and report them (for rewards, obviously). The bug bounty is a good way to get people to share security vulnerabilities they discover with you rather than using them to their advantage.
Trainees
Remember to consider the importance of education. Cybersecurity is constantly changing. Much of what was helpful a decade back no longer holds. Security training can help mitigate vulnerabilities most often caused by human error.
Read More: Brief Explanation of Software Development Life Cycle
Software Development Lifecycle (Secure Version)
Security integration in custom software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) should be more like weaving than stacking. The SDLC does not have a "security phase"; Rather, it is a collection of tools and best practices integrated into the SDLC's existing phases. By including all stakeholders in the security team, using automated tools, and promoting educational initiatives to make security a part of the SDLC process rather than just another task to be checked off - it will become more valuable and sustainable.
Needs
In the first phase, the SDLC, you must define the exact problem, the requirements for security, as well as what "done' means. All bug reports, feature requests and vulnerability disclosures will be converted from tickets to projects at this point. Prioritization is the most difficult task in a secure SDLC. Including members of the Security Organization in the grooming will provide enough context for gauging the impact on security of each new feature and fix introduced into SDLC.
Planning
We need to identify the problem and then determine the best solution. Here we will decide on what to build. The planning phase is similar to the requirements phase in that it should include input from the security team. This will ensure the proposed solution is both secure and valuable for the client.
Design
Now that we have our security requirements, the next step is to decide how our application will implement our solution. This is a good example of software architecture. It involves the entire solution. Which systems are affected? What services are being created or altered? What will the user experience be? The security team should review and approve any design, just as other engineers should. This will allow potential vulnerabilities to be detected. Communication is crucial for these three initial phases. Otherwise, security problems may be identified too late.
Implementation
It's now time to start building. Here, the code is created and some of the above security measures will begin to be implemented. The static analysis can be performed on each commit and push. This gives development teams real-time feedback.A well-trained group should monitor both potential security issues as well as logical problems once the code has been completed and code review is initiated. Security is a responsibility that every member of the team, and not only those who work in security, must share in an organization with high standards.
Test & Deployment
It's now time to test the code and release it. Here, more powerful security scanners will be used to provide a deeper analysis of application security. This is also an ideal place for manual security testing, depending on the resource availability and size of the component. In the event that vulnerabilities are discovered in this manner, they can be integrated into automated tools in order to prevent regressions.
Maintenance
It is important to remember that releasing code in the wild does not mean "let it go and forget about it". If you wish to maintain it in top condition, then care and nurture is required. Every day, resources change, bugs occur, and new vulnerabilities are found. The maintenance phase, which is used for identifying and resolving defects in code, is where vulnerabilities are discovered.You should not fool yourself by thinking secure code is always secure. The security landscape changes constantly, from supply chain vulnerabilities to zero-day attacks. Having a system in place that can identify problems and react to them as they occur is critical when you implement a secure SDLC.
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The secure SDLC should be viewed as a circle and not a straight line. You can start again once you've reached the end. Each bug, enhancement or vulnerability found during the testing and maintenance phase will trigger its own requirement phase. As a process, secure software development is an ongoing cycle of improvement.
Ten Best Software Security Practices
It is a challenge to develop secure software in today's ever-changing threat landscape, but the importance of this task has never been greater. More and more software attacks are making headlines. We've compiled a top ten list of software development practices that will help you build the most secure software possible and prevent your company from becoming another software cyberattack statistics. Here are our top 10 software development security best practices.
1. Consider Security at the Start
Plan how to integrate security in every phase of SDLC before you write a line of code. Automate testing and monitoring of vulnerabilities right from the start. It's important to integrate security into the culture of your code and company.
2. Create a Secure Software Development Policy
The following will serve as a guide for your team, technology, and processes to ensure secure software development. The formal policy provides specific guidelines for implementing security at each stage of the SDLC. It also defines the roles and governing rules to minimize vulnerability risks in software development.
3. Employ a Secure Software Development Framework
NIST SSDF is a proven framework that will help your team adhere to best software practices. All new software developers can benefit from frameworks that answer "what do we do now?"
4. Software Security can be Improved by following Best Practices
Define all your security requirements and train developers on how to code according to these parameters, using secure coding techniques. Make sure all third-party providers are familiar with your security needs and can demonstrate their compliance. They could be an easy way for hackers to attack.
5. Code Integrity Protection
To prevent any tampering, keep all code stored in secure repositories that only authorized personnel can access. To preserve the integrity of the code, regulate contact with it, closely monitor any changes and oversee the signing process.
6. Test and Review Code as Early as Possible
Test code at the beginning of the SDLC instead of waiting until the end. Use both automated and developer testing to continuously examine the code for any flaws. Early detection of vulnerabilities saves time and money while also preventing frustration for developers.
7. Prepare to Quickly Mitigate any Vulnerabilities
In software development, vulnerabilities are inevitable. The question is not whether they will occur but rather when. Be prepared with a plan and procedures in place for addressing incidents in real time. The faster you identify vulnerabilities and take action, the shorter the window for exploitation.
8. Configure Secure Default Settings
Customers are still vulnerable because they don't know how to use their software. The added touch of customer service ensures that the consumer is protected during the initial stages of software adoption.
9. Use Checklists
During secure software development, there are numerous moving pieces to monitor and track. Use action checklists to help your team at regular intervals, such as monthly or weekly meetings, ensure that all security policies and procedures and current.
10. Stay Agile and Proactive
Wise software developers study vulnerabilities--learning their root causes, spotting patterns, preventing repeat occurrences, and updating their SDLC with improved knowledge. Also, they keep up with trends and best practices. Dave Brennan concludes with this advice: "The biggest picture is staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices. Security best practices are always changing. No matter how you approach security, look forward to what is coming. Keep learning and find better ways to protect your software development processes."
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Conclusion
There are many ways that you can integrate security in the SDLC your company already follows. However, there are some robust specs that will take your efforts for a secure SDLC to the next step. The resources below are a great place to find inspiration and advice as you begin to integrate security into your software development process.
