Welcome to our guide on secure software development.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about developing secure software. Including:
- What it is
- Why you need it
- Some tips from our team here at Daxima
- Our guiding principles for creating secure software
- And best practices for writing secure code
We’ve been in the software industry for more than 20 years. Everything you read in this article is based on our decades of experience.
Ready?
Let’s go.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Start with Security at Every Stage: Security isn’t an afterthought. Build it into your process from day one by setting clear rules, using proven frameworks, and training your team to follow secure practices.
- Respond to Vulnerabilities Quickly: Hackers thrive on delays. Create a plan to identify and fix vulnerabilities as soon as they arise to protect your software and reassure users.
- Leverage the Right Tools: A solid tech stack, including tools like code analyzers and automated scanners, makes it easier to catch issues early and keep your app secure.
- Stay Proactive Against Threats: From common risks like phishing to evolving trends like zero-trust architecture, staying ahead of threats requires constant vigilance, regular updates, and strong default settings.
- Outsource to Experts When Needed: Secure development is complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Partnering with experts like Daxima simplifies the process and ensures your software is protected with the latest tools and strategies.
What is Secure Software Development?
Secure software development is the process of creating apps, websites, or systems that are protected against hackers and other security threats.
This means writing clean, reliable code that’s tough for hackers to exploit, scanning for vulnerabilities, and running regular tests to find and fix weak spots.
It could also include things like encrypting sensitive data, setting up strong user authentication systems, and limiting access where it’s necessary.
Here’s an example: Let’s say you’re building a shopping app.
Without secure development practices, someone could break in and steal your customers’ credit card information.
But if you follow secure coding practices, like encrypting sensitive data and requiring strong passwords, you can protect your users and your business from a data breach.
Why the SSDF is Important
You need the secure software development framework because cyber threats are getting smarter every day.
Hackers are no longer just targeting big companies; they’re going after small apps, personal websites, and even devices you use at home.
If you don’t build your software with security in mind, you’re leaving the door wide open for trouble.
Without a secure software development (SSD) framework, things can get messy fast.
Hackers could steal sensitive data, like your customers’ personal info, or even crash your app.
That means frustrated users, downtime, and a big hit to your reputation.
Fixing these issues later? It’s expensive and a total headache.
We get clients like this every month here at Daxima. They didn’t take the time to build their apps with security in mind, and it led to disaster. Then, they need to hire us to clean up the mess.
Principles for Developing Secure Software
Prepare the Organization (PO)
Getting your team and tools ready is the first step in building secure software.
This means training everyone—developers, testers, and even project managers—on the basics of secure coding and cybersecurity.
You also need to set clear policies, so everyone knows what’s expected and can work toward the same goals.
Why does this matter?
Because security isn’t just one person’s job.
When your organization is prepared, you’ll avoid expensive mistakes and handle potential threats more effectively.
Protect the Software (PS)
Protecting your software means building strong defenses to prevent unauthorized access and potential attacks.
This involves using secure frameworks, encrypting sensitive data, and setting up strong access controls.
The truth is that hackers are constantly looking for vulnerabilities, and taking these steps will safeguard your application while ensuring it stays reliable for your users.
Example: The Equifax data breach in 2017 exposed the personal information of over 140 million people. It happened because they didn’t patch a known vulnerability in their software. If proper protections, like timely updates and secure frameworks, had been in place, this massive breach could have been avoided.
Produce Well-Secured Software (PW)
Producing well-secured software means focusing on writing code that’s both clean and resilient to attacks.
This includes validating user inputs, handling errors safely, and testing your application regularly to catch vulnerabilities before they’re exploited.
The truth is that poorly written or unchecked code can create easy openings for hackers.
By building secure practices into your development process, you protect your users and your reputation from unnecessary risks.
Another Example: In 2014, the Heartbleed bug exposed millions of systems because of a small error in code. Regular testing and code reviews could have caught this vulnerability early, and saved companies and users from major security issues. But no, they skipped over this. Lesson learned!
Respond to Vulnerabilities (RV)
Lastly, create a clear plan for spotting and fixing vulnerabilities as they arise.
Even with strong defenses, unexpected risks will happen, so act fast to minimize damage.
You protect your software and reassure your users by addressing vulnerabilities as soon as they arise.
Tips for Responding to Vulnerabilities:
- Monitor Continuously: Use tools to track your software in real-time and identify vulnerabilities before they escalate.
- Prioritize Fixes: Address high-risk vulnerabilities first to prevent major damage while working through lower-risk issues.
- Communicate Transparently: Inform users and stakeholders about the steps you’re taking to resolve the issue and prevent future problems.
Best Practices for Writing Secure Code
Set Clear Security Rules
At Daxima, we believe clear policies are essential to keeping your development process secure.
We guide your team through secure coding practices and encryption protocols so that everyone understands their role in maintaining security.
This straightforward approach reduces errors and keeps your projects on track.
Build Security into the Process from the Start
Make security a priority from day one.
Incorporate secure coding practices, regular testing, and security tools into your workflow early.
Waiting until the end to think about security often leads to costly fixes or vulnerabilities slipping through.
For example, tools like threat modeling can be used during the planning phase to identify risks before writing a single line of code.
Define Security Goals
Clear security goals help you measure success and stay on track.
Decide what you’re protecting—like sensitive data or system uptime—and how you’ll achieve it.
Goals might include encrypting all data in transit, ensuring 99% availability, or detecting vulnerabilities within 24 hours.
Write these goals down, share them with your team, and track progress to keep your focus sharp.
Use Proven Frameworks for Secure Development
At Daxima, we rely on proven frameworks like OWASP and NIST to guide our development.
We build your software with resilience in mind and use these trusted frameworks to identify and mitigate risks.
This will save you time and headaches down the road.
Choose Secure Settings by Default
Default settings often go overlooked but play a big role in security.
Configure your software to use the most secure options from the start, like requiring HTTPS or limiting access to sensitive areas.
This ensures even less-experienced users can stay protected.
Review your default settings regularly to ensure they align with current security standards.
Limit Access with Roles and Permissions
Control who can access what by setting up roles and permissions.
For example, developers shouldn’t access production data unless absolutely necessary.
This reduces the risk of accidental or malicious changes.
Implement the principle of least privilege: only grant access to what’s needed for someone to do their job.
Review these permissions regularly.
Keep Responsibilities Separate
Separate responsibilities to reduce the risk of errors and security breaches.
For example, the person writing code shouldn’t be the same person approving deployments.
This creates checks and balances within your process. Use tools like version control systems and access logs to make it easy to track accountability.
Reduce the System’s Exposure to Threats
Minimize your system’s attack surface by limiting what’s publicly accessible.
Disable unused features, close unnecessary ports, and remove outdated dependencies.
Every exposed element is a potential vulnerability, so less is more.
Regularly audit your system to ensure only the essentials are accessible.
Make Sure Every Access Point Is Secure
Every access point—whether it’s a login screen, API, or back-end portal—needs proper protection.
Use multi-factor authentication, encrypt all connections, and enforce strong password policies.
Regularly test each access point for vulnerabilities to ensure attackers can’t exploit weak spots.
Protect the Code from Tampering
Code tampering can introduce backdoors or malicious functionality.
To prevent this, use tools like code signing and secure version control systems.
These measures ensure that only authorized changes are made and that the integrity of your code is intact.
Conduct code audits to catch unauthorized modifications.
Test and Review Code Regularly
Testing and code reviews catch vulnerabilities before they become a problem.
Use automated tools to scan for issues and pair them with manual reviews for a thorough check.
Schedule these reviews regularly, not just before deployment, so you can maintain ongoing security.
Automate Security Checks Wherever Possible
At Daxima, we embrace automation to keep your software safe.
From automated code scans to real-time monitoring tools, we integrate security checks throughout the development process.
This not only saves time but also ensures no vulnerabilities slip through the cracks, giving you peace of mind.
Design Systems to Handle Failure Safely
Even secure systems can fail, so make sure they fail in ways that don’t expose sensitive data or functionality.
For example, an app that times out should log users out securely instead of leaving their session active.
Always test how your system behaves under stress or failure.
Fix Vulnerabilities as Soon as They’re Found
Delaying fixes leaves your system open to attacks.
Create a workflow to address vulnerabilities quickly, prioritizing high-risk ones first.
Use patch management tools to deploy fixes across your system efficiently.
The faster you act, the less chance there is for an exploit to cause damage.
Use Checklists to Stay on Track
Checklists ensure you don’t miss important steps.
Whether it’s during coding, testing, or deployment, having a checklist keeps your team aligned and reduces human error.
Customize your lists for different phases of development and update them as your process evolves.
Keep Improving Security Over Time
At Daxima, we don’t stop at delivering secure software—we help you stay ahead of evolving threats.
Our team works with you to review your security practices regularly and implement updates as needed.
By continuously improving, we make sure your software stays protected no matter what comes next.
Tools and Technologies for Secure Development
Building secure software takes the right tools, and at Daxima, we’ve built a powerful tech stack to do it right.
Let’s give you a quick peek under the hood: we use static code analyzers to catch vulnerabilities early, dependency checkers to spot outdated libraries, and automated scanners to monitor for weaknesses.
Our CI/CD pipelines integrate security checks directly into development, making it easier to deliver secure, reliable software without unnecessary delays.
Common Threats
Cyber threats are constantly evolving, but some common ones should always be on your radar.
Hackers often exploit weak passwords, outdated software, and unsecured APIs to gain access.
Phishing attacks, ransomware, and SQL injection are also frequent threats.
Staying ahead means regularly updating your software, encrypting sensitive data, and training your team to recognize suspicious activity.
At Daxima, we help identify and mitigate these risks so you don’t have to navigate them alone.
Future Trends in Secure Software Development
The future of secure software development is all about smarter technology and proactive approaches.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are being used to predict and prevent vulnerabilities before they happen.
Zero-trust architecture, where no user or system is automatically trusted, is becoming a standard.
Automated tools are also getting better at integrating security seamlessly into development.
At Daxima, we keep up with these trends to ensure your software stays ahead of emerging threats.
Conclusion
Keeping your software secure can feel overwhelming, especially with evolving threats and new technology to manage.
The truth is, outsourcing to experts like Daxima makes the process so much easier.
We handle the heavy lifting, from setting up secure practices to using the latest tools and techniques.
Ready to take the stress out of secure development? Contact us today, and let’s build something safe together.