Since the inception of SDLC, application security has advanced (as pretty much everything else tech). Around the 1970s, threats required physical access to computer terminals that held applications. Back then, minimal connectivity minimized external risks. On the other hand, security did not feature in the process of SDLC growth because it was handled by IT security teams after software release. 

Testing for security flaws used to be done sporadically on production environments, thus exposing vulnerabilities for weeks and even months. Therefore, companies began incorporating pre-release security testing into their operations, although this led to extended release cycles.

This additional stage of testing took weeks to complete, often giving rise to outcomes that are hard to predict, ranging from a few low-severity and easily fixed vulnerabilities to countless severe and time-consuming coding flaws. These delays can set developers back by several weeks. As a result they can choose to release compromised software in order to meet deadlines.

The cost of fixing late-stage issues can increase by 100 times when compared with the cost of identifying and resolving problems early. Simultaneously, the situation worsens as software is released very quickly. Therefore, application security in SDLC should be thoroughly rethought. This implies that a secure SDLC framework must be created to efficiently control risk!

Secure Software Development Life Cycle Processes

Here at Bad Boy Solutions we embrace and apply a security-centric mindset in software development with confidence.

Application of security in the software development lifecycle at every stage of software creation is mandatory. A reactive approach, like addressing security issues after the application has been developed, will be more costly and less efficient when compared to a proactive approach, where potential security vulnerabilities are identified in early stages such as requirements gathering or the coding phase.

Through secure software development lifecycle processes, security is at the heart of each phase of development. The adoption of a security-focused mindset is essential for all stakeholders, although specific security concerns and tasks change with the stages of the SDLC.

5 Phases of Secure Software Development Life Cycle

Ideally, we would like to ensure the security of an application in each phase of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), and do that with a collective focus.

Phase 1: Gathering requirements

We begin the process with gathering the requirements, with a keen eye on security issues. Functional requirements, such as user contact verification, must align with security needs. An obvious example of that would be restricting access to personal data.

Phase 2: Design

Turning the requirements into a concrete plan calls for careful attention to detail. While functional designs assume actions, security concerns impose limitations, ensuring safeguards like session token verification.

Phase 3: Implementation

During implementation, attention should shift to coding securely, following established guidelines and undergoing diligent code reviews. Additionally, by integrating open-source components, thorough inspection is required – usually using Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tools.

Secure development practices encompass:

• Employing parameterized, read-only SQL queries
• Validating user inputs before processing
• Sanitizing outgoing data
• Conducting vulnerability checks on open-source libraries

Phase 4: Testing

Thorough testing, including automated security tests, validates adherence to design and requirements. Integration with Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines streamlines verification and release, ensuring deployment only upon successful testing.

Verification entails:

• Automated critical path tests
• Application unit test automation
• Dynamic deployment tool integration for production secrets

Phase 5: Maintenance and Evolution

Post-deployment, vigilance is of great importance. (sounds like I’m repeating myself) 

Vulnerabilities may emerge post-release, necessitating prompt reaction. These vulnerabilities, whether in custom code or in open-source components, require careful patching and may come from external sources like ethical hackers or bug bounty programs.

Addressing production issues involves:

• Strategic planning for future releases
• Potential rewrites to fix the vulnerabilities
• Collaboration with ethical hackers and bug bounty programs for proactive issue identification and resolution.

In conclusion, the evolution of SDLC alongside application security underscores the importance of proactive over reactive.

From the early days of limited connectivity to today’s fast-paced releases, security remains paramount. By integrating security into every phase of the development cycle, we mitigate risks and ensure robust protection. With a collective focus on secure SDLC processes, we uphold the integrity of applications and minimise the vulnerabilities.