Making secure software is a challenge however it is essential for protecting data and business operations. New Relic recently hosted a Twitter Space with Harry Kimpel from Snyk and Frank Dornberger from movingimage to discuss how software engineers can create a security mindset that will ensure that their applications are reliable and ready for production.
In the course of this discussion, we came up with eight tips for developers to create more secure apps and develop a security-conscious mindset. These tips are a result of that conversation and other research on how to make your company’s software as secure as it can be.
Ensure that your employees are aware of how to spot and fix security vulnerabilities in their code. Through training, they can learn secure coding techniques and how to protect themselves from common attacks like phishing. Set up regular, cross-functional gatherings to introduce new threats and vulnerabilities to your team. This will allow your developers the opportunity to work with other teams who are experiencing the same problems.
Set up a knowledge base and documentation of the security policies applicable to software within your company. This will give your employees an overview when writing code and ensure that everyone knows what the rules are.
Consider the security implications of third-party libraries and components that you utilize in your applications. If they’re not regularly updated, cybercriminals may be susceptible to exploiting security vulnerabilities. Make use of a tool to detect any security vulnerabilities.