How To Develop Invulnerable Apps For Your Business?
When it comes to developing apps, security is the name of the game. Keeping in mind the frequency, intensity, and ramifications of high-profile security breaches in the recent past, it is all but necessary to make application security a part of the software development lifecycle from the very start. A software development company must prioritize robust security measures to create invulnerable apps that protect both business assets and user data.
This post covers some of the best practices that can ensure your assets are secure, at least against the threats we know of.
1. OWASP Top 10 is a Good Starting Point
The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) lays down the foundations for developing secure web-based applications. OWASP Top 10 is a list of the most critical and widely exploited vulnerabilities that compromise the security of applications. These vulnerabilities target the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of apps, their developers, and users.
The guidelines from OWASP focus on issues such as injection attacks, security misconfiguration, session management, and the exposure of sensitive data. By keeping these top 10 things in mind when developing an application, you can avoid being featured in security breach news and create applications that can, at least, put up a fair fight against the most exploited vulnerabilities.
The strange thing about the OWASP Top 10 is that the list remains the same most of the time. This indicates that even though these vulnerabilities are so commonly exploited, developers still fail to give them the required attention. According to a report by Verizon, 43% of data breaches involved web applications, highlighting the importance of adhering to OWASP guidelines.
2. External Evaluation
Even if your developers implement the OWASP Top 10 in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and carry out extensive testing of the apps developed by your team, you cannot be completely sure about the security status of your assets. This is because no matter how well your team tries to scan the apps for potential vulnerabilities, they can fall victim to biases and tunnel vision at some point.
Moreover, your team has spent a lot of time in your organization and is accustomed to how things are done there. Having someone from the outside evaluate your apps and other assets for security vulnerabilities can ensure that you’re covered even for issues that your team was initially unaware of. As a general principle, having more minds work on a project gives it more perspectives, increasing the chances of catching a potential vulnerability.
A study by IBM found that companies that use external security assessments are able to identify 20% more vulnerabilities compared to those that rely solely on internal evaluations.
3. Event Logging
Even if you have tested the application in every possible way and have received suggestions from external evaluators, something will go wrong at some stage. This might be a bug that nobody thought deserved any attention or a vulnerability that was exploited by someone. You need to realize that you can’t fight an enemy that you don’t know of. Therefore, to ensure you have adequate knowledge to combat any bug or vulnerability, it is crucial to log even the minutest of events.
One thing to keep in mind is that you need to store the log data in a way that you can easily scan and implement the results of the analysis swiftly. Additionally, the log needs to be stored outside the application; otherwise, it would be like handing the keys of the safe to the robbers.
According to a survey by SANS Institute, 44% of organizations do not log security events effectively, which could hinder their ability to respond to security incidents promptly.
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4. Real-Time Security Monitoring
No account of app security can be complete without discussing classic and web application firewalls (WAFs). While it is true that WAFs are not a complete solution for app security and that they generate a lot of false positives, they do provide some level of security against common threats.
What you actually need to make your applications invulnerable to attacks is the combined use of real-time application security self-protection (RASP) tools. These tools ensure that any threat to the application can be contained before it exploits the application and things spiral out of control.
A report by Gartner suggests that by 2025, 60% of web applications will use some form of runtime application self-protection (RASP), up from less than 10% in 2020.
5. Encryption
Encryption is the single most effective measure that makes an application and the server it is running on secure. Never store or transmit any data via your application as plain text, as this makes it too convenient for malicious actors to compromise the security of your system.
From passwords to sensitive user data and backend files of the application, everything needs to be stored encrypted, and only the components being used at any given time should be decrypted. This ensures that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be easily deciphered and misused.
According to a survey by Thales, 50% of enterprises have experienced a data breach involving sensitive information. Implementing strong encryption practices can significantly reduce this risk.
6. Keep the Server Up to Date
The worst thing that any developer can do against the norms of app security is not updating their system. Vulnerabilities are a part of any code and cannot be avoided. However, when one is discovered, the people responsible for the server release an update or a patch to correct the vulnerability.
If you are using an outdated system, no matter how many steps you might take to secure your applications, your security is as good as non-existent. Ensuring that your server is always up to date with the latest patches and updates is a fundamental aspect of maintaining a secure application environment.
According to the Ponemon Institute, 60% of data breaches were linked to unpatched vulnerabilities, emphasizing the importance of regular updates.
7. Keep Your Software Up to Date
Just like the server, the software you are using, including frameworks, libraries, and open-source components, also contain vulnerabilities. Keeping these updated is essential for the safety of your application. As soon as a vulnerability is discovered, especially in open-source components, it becomes a potential threat to your application’s security.
Installing patches and updating any vulnerabilities as soon as they are released is crucial. Failing to do so puts your application at a huge risk. The 2021 Open Source Security and Risk Analysis (OSSRA) report by Synopsys found that 84% of codebases contained at least one vulnerability, highlighting the critical need for regular updates.
8. Conduct Regular Penetration Testing
Penetration testing, or ethical hacking, involves simulating cyber-attacks on your application to identify vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them. Regular penetration testing helps you stay ahead of potential threats and ensures that your security measures are effective.
A report by Core Security found that 66% of organizations that conduct regular penetration testing discovered security vulnerabilities that were previously unknown. This practice helps in proactively identifying and mitigating security risks.
9. Educate and Train Your Team
Human error is one of the leading causes of security breaches. Educating and training your development team on the latest security practices and potential threats is essential. Regular workshops, seminars, and certification programs can keep your team updated on the best practices for developing secure applications.
According to a study by the Ponemon Institute, 52% of data breaches were due to human error or system glitches. Investing in security training can significantly reduce this risk.
To sum up, applications are an integral part of our lives, and we depend on them for numerous tasks. From sensitive financial data to personal media, everything is stored and transferred through applications, making app security more important than ever. For an application to be secure, it is essential to follow instructions from leading security services like OWASP Top 10 and integrate security measures into the application development process from the start, rather than making it an afterthought.
Savvycom is a leading software development company specializing in creating secure, innovative, and high-performance applications for businesses worldwide. With a strong focus on security and cutting-edge technology, Savvycom ensures that your applications are invulnerable to modern threats. Our team of experts follows industry best practices and leverages the latest tools and techniques to deliver solutions that meet your business needs while safeguarding your data. Partner with Savvycom to develop robust and secure applications that drive success and growth for your business.
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