Software security is a crucial aspect of software development that ensures the protection of data, systems, and users from cyberattacks. Software security involves applying security principles and practices throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC), from planning and design to testing and deployment.

Software security is not only a technical issue but also a business one. Software security can affect the reputation, trust, and profitability of a software company, as well as the satisfaction and safety of its customers. Therefore, software security should be a priority for every software developer and organisation.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the best practices for building secure software solutions, covering the latest trends, best practices, and expert insights.

Why Software Security Matters

Software security matters because cyberattacks are becoming more frequent, sophisticated, and damaging. According to a report by IBM, the global average cost of a data breach in 2021 was $4.24 million, the highest in 17 years.

Moreover, the report found that the average time to identify and contain a breach was 287 days, which means that attackers can cause significant harm before being detected and stopped.

Cyberattacks can have serious consequences for software companies and their customers, such as:

• Loss of data, money, and reputation
• Legal liabilities and regulatory penalties
• Customer dissatisfaction and churn
• Business disruption and downtime
• Competitive disadvantage and loss of market share

Therefore, software security is essential for preventing or minimising these risks and ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of software solutions.

How to Build Secure Software Solutions

Building secure software solutions requires adopting a holistic approach that integrates security into every stage of the SDLC. This approach is known as secure software development or DevSecOps (Development, Security, Operations). DevSecOps aims to embed security into the culture, processes, and tools of software development teams, enabling them to deliver secure software faster and more efficiently.

Here are some of the key steps and best practices for building secure software solutions using DevSecOps:

1.   Foster a DevSecOps culture and mindset

The first step in building secure software solutions is to foster a DevSecOps culture and mindset among software developers and other stakeholders. This means that everyone involved in the software development process should be aware of the importance of security, share the responsibility for security, and collaborate effectively to achieve security goals.

Some of the ways to foster a DevSecOps culture and mindset are:

• Provide regular training and education on security topics
  • Establish clear roles and expectations for security tasks
  • Encourage communication and feedback on security issues
  • Reward good security practices and behaviours
  • Promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement

2.   Consider security from the very beginning

The second step in building secure software solutions is to consider security from the very beginning of the software development process. This means that security should be an integral part of the planning and design phases, not an afterthought or an add-on.

One of the techniques to consider security from the very beginning is threat modelling. Threat modelling involves analysing the software architecture and identifying potential security threats and vulnerabilities. This helps in designing the software with security in mind and implementing the necessary security controls4.

Some of the benefits of threat modelling are:

• It helps to prioritise security risks and allocate resources accordingly
  • It helps to avoid costly rework or redesign later in the development process
  • It helps to improve communication and collaboration among developers, testers, and security experts
  • It helps to comply with security standards and regulations

3.   Use code reviews to identify potential security issues

The third step in building secure software solutions is to use code reviews to identify potential security issues in the source code. Code reviews are a process of examining the code written by other developers to check its quality, functionality, readability, maintainability, and security3.

Code reviews can help to detect and fix security issues such as:

• Coding errors or bugs that can lead to vulnerabilities or exploits
  • Poor coding practices or standards that can affect performance or usability
  • Insecure use of libraries or frameworks that can introduce dependencies or weaknesses
  • Missing or inadequate documentation or comments that can hinder understanding or maintenance

Some of the best practices for code reviews are:

• Use a code review checklist or tool to ensure consistency and completeness
  • Follow the principle of least privilege and limit access to sensitive code or data
  • Use peer reviews or pair programming to leverage different perspectives and expertise
  • Provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement
  • Incorporate code reviews into the regular development workflow and schedule

4.   Use code analysis tools to automate security testing

The fourth step in building secure software solutions is to use code analysis tools to automate security testing. Code analysis tools are software applications that can scan, analyse, and test the source code for security issues, such as:

• Syntax errors or typos that can cause compilation or runtime errors
  • Code smells or anti-patterns that can indicate poor design or quality
  • Security vulnerabilities or flaws that can expose the software to attacks
  • Compliance violations or deviations from security standards or regulations

Code analysis tools can help to improve software security by:

• Saving time and effort by automating tedious or repetitive tasks
  • Increasing accuracy and reliability by reducing human errors or biases
  • Enhancing coverage and depth by testing large or complex code bases
  • Providing actionable insights and recommendations for remediation Some of the types of code analysis tools are:
  • Static code analysis tools: These tools analyse the code without executing it, looking for potential issues at the syntax, structure, or logic level. Examples of static code analysis tools are SonarQube, Coverity, and Veracode.
  • Dynamic code analysis tools: These tools analyse the code while executing it, looking for potential issues at the runtime or behaviour level. Examples of dynamic code analysis tools are Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, and Nmap.
  • Interactive code analysis tools: These tools combine static and dynamic analysis techniques, looking for potential issues at both the code and runtime level. Examples of interactive code analysis tools are Contrast Security, Hdiv Security, and Seeker.

5.   Use popular and well-maintained libraries and frameworks

The fifth step in building secure software solutions is to use popular and well-maintained libraries and frameworks. Libraries and frameworks are collections of reusable code that provide common functionality or features for software development, such as:

• User interface components or templates
  • Data structures or algorithms
  • Database access or manipulation
  • Networking or communication protocols
  • Security mechanisms or encryption

Libraries and frameworks can help to improve software security by:

• Reducing the amount of code that needs to be written from scratch
  • Leveraging the expertise and experience of other developers or communities
  • Benefiting from regular updates and patches that fix bugs or vulnerabilities
  • Following best practices and standards that ensure quality and compatibility

However, not all libraries and frameworks are equally secure or reliable. Some of them may contain outdated, insecure, or malicious code that can compromise the software. Therefore, it is important to choose libraries and frameworks that are:

• Popular and widely used by other developers or organisations
  • Well-maintained and supported by active developers or communities
  • Secure and compliant with security standards or regulations
  • Compatible and interoperable with other libraries or frameworks

Some of the examples of popular and well-maintained libraries and frameworks are:

• React: A JavaScript library for building user interfaces
  • Django: A Python framework for building web applications
  • Spring Boot: A Java framework for building microservices
  • Laravel: A PHP framework for building web applications
  • Flutter: A Dart framework for building cross-platform applications

6.   Use secure coding practices and standards

The sixth step in building secure software solutions is to use secure coding practices and standards. Secure coding practices and standards are guidelines or rules that help developers write code that is secure, reliable, and maintainable. Secure coding practices and standards can vary depending on the programming language, platform, or domain of the software, but some of the common ones are:

• Use descriptive and consistent naming conventions for variables, functions, classes, etc.
  • Use proper indentation and formatting for code readability and clarity
  • Use comments and documentation for code explanation and understanding
  • Use modular and reusable code for code simplicity and reusability
  • Use error handling and logging for code robustness and debugging
  • Use encryption and hashing for data protection and integrity
  • Use input validation and output sanitization for data security and quality
  • Use secure communication protocols such as HTTPS or SSL/TLS for data confidentiality and authenticity
  • Use authentication and authorization mechanisms such as passwords, tokens, or certificates for access control and identity verification
  • Use secure design patterns such as MVC (Model-View-Controller) or REST (Representational State Transfer) for code organisation and structure

Some of the resources that provide secure coding practices and standards are:

• OWASP Secure Coding Practices: A guide that covers the most common security issues and best practices for web application development
  • SEI CERT Coding Standards: A collection of coding standards that address security issues for various programming languages such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc
  • ISO/IEC 27034: An international standard that provides a framework and guidelines for secure software development

7.   Use continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines to automate software delivery

The seventh step in building secure software solutions is to use continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines to automate software delivery. CI/CD pipelines are workflows that automate the processes of building, testing, deploying, and monitoring software, enabling faster and more frequent software releases.

CI/CD pipelines can help to improve software security by:

• Enabling early detection and resolution of security issues
  • Reducing human intervention and errors in software delivery
  • Increasing visibility and transparency of software quality and performance
  • Supporting feedback loops and improvement cycles for software security Some of the tools that can help to create and manage CI/CD pipelines are:
  • Jenkins: An open-source tool that automates various stages of software delivery
  • GitHub Actions: A feature of GitHub that allows developers to create workflows for software delivery
  • Azure DevOps: A cloud-based platform that provides a suite of services for software delivery
  • AWS CodePipeline: A cloud-based service that integrates with other AWS services for software delivery

Conclusion

Software security is a vital aspect of software development that can have a significant impact on the success and reputation of a software company, as well as the satisfaction and safety of its customers.

Software security requires adopting a holistic approach that integrates security into every stage of the software development lifecycle, from planning and design to testing and deployment.