Security by Design
Introduction
We live in a fast-developing world, where technology is rapidly evolving, up to the point where you never know what the morning holds. The speed of development is such that even the most enthusiastic can barely keep up, while most of us just do our best to grasp the new concepts and roll with them. And in this hyper-competitive, unpredictable, leave-no-prisoners-behind world, security is lagging.
CISOs will have you know that keeping everyone up to date with the latest vulnerabilities, issues & cybersecurity pitfalls via traditional methods is next to impossible. This is why it’s crucial to create & foster a culture of responsibility, and without fail, it always has to start at the very top of the chain.
The Role of Leadership in Shaping AppSec Culture
Leadership within an organization holds a pivotal role in shaping the culture of Application Security (AppSec). Leaders serve as the guiding force that shapes the mindsets of their teams. Through their commitment to security initiatives, leaders signal the importance of AppSec to the entire organization. When leaders prioritize security and invest resources, it not only fosters a security-conscious environment but also ensures that security is integrated into the DNA of the organization.
Furthermore, leaders set an example not just through their words but through their actions, communication, and decision-making. Their actions, such as championing security best practices and adhering to security policies, become a blueprint for employees to follow. Effective communication from leadership about the importance of AppSec instills a sense of purpose and urgency among employees, driving them to prioritize security in their daily tasks. Equally critical is the role of leadership in decision-making. By consistently prioritizing security in strategic decisions, leaders send a clear message about its non-negotiable status within the organization.
Leadership in AppSec culture is a driving force that shapes values, influences behaviors, and determines the success of security efforts. Those who lead by example, communicate effectively, and make security a priority set the stage for a robust and resilient security posture within their organization.
Understanding AppSec Culture
AppSec culture focuses specifically on incorporating security measures into the software development lifecycle (SDLC), from the initial design phase through to deployment, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning.
The goal is to produce software that is as secure as possible, minimizing vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. An AppSec culture generally integrates security considerations into every facet of the application development process, as opposed to treating them as a separate or subsequent concern. By fostering an AppSec culture, organizations aim to shift the security focus from reactive to proactive by finding vulnerabilities sooner.
Key Constituents of an AppSec Culture Include:
Security considerations are included from the outset of the software development process, rather than bolted on afterward.
Developer Training:
Developers are educated on security best practices, common vulnerabilities, and how to avoid them.
Secure Coding Guidelines
Standardized secure coding practices are adopted and enforced across development teams.
Automated Security Scanning
Use of tools such as Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) that automatically scan code for vulnerabilities, ideally integrated into the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and the CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipeline.
How AppSec Differs from Conventional Security Practices:
Focus
AppSec focuses specifically on the software, while conventional security may deal with network security, physical security, or administrative controls.
Integration with SDLC
Unlike conventional security, which may be implemented after a system or process is operational, AppSec is integrated into the development process.
Prevention vs Reaction
Conventional security often centers around detecting and reacting to threats as they occur. AppSec aims to anticipate and prevent vulnerabilities during the development stage.
Tooling
AppSec employs specialized tooling like SAST (Static Application Security Testing), DAST, and RASP (Runtime Application Self-Protection) that focus on application-level security.
Stakeholder Engagement
While traditional security may only involve security and IT teams, AppSec typically involves cross-functional teams including developers, operations, and sometimes even business and product teams.
Continous Improvement
In an AppSec culture, security is not a "one and done" task but is continually improved upon, with lessons from past vulnerabilities directly informing future development work.
A security-conscious culture within an organization offers a framework for improved risk management and the reduction of vulnerabilities. Employees who are well-versed in security protocols are more adept at identifying potential threats and risks before they escalate into serious issues. This proactive approach enables the organization to manage risks effectively, implementing protective measures to avoid data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage.
Moreover, a culture focused on security inherently leads to reduced vulnerabilities. Since everyone within the organization, including development, becomes a part of the security mechanism, the likelihood of oversights or gaps in the security posture diminishes significantly. Regular training and awareness programs ensure that all employees are up-to-date on the latest security threats and best practices, making it harder for attackers to exploit human error or system vulnerabilities.
In this environment, security is not just a technical requirement but a fundamental business enabler. It provides a sense of shared responsibility that extends beyond the IT department, enveloping every role from administrative staff to the C-suite. As a result, the organization is better positioned to maintain the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of its data assets while also gaining a competitive edge. Overall, cultivating a security-conscious culture is an investment that pays dividends in enhanced operational efficiency, reduced risk, and long-term sustainability.
Aligning Security Objectives with Business Goals
Aligning security objectives with business goals ensures that an organization’s security efforts, strategies, and objectives are closely integrated and coordinated with its overall business objectives and priorities. This alignment ensures that security measures and initiatives not only protect the organization from threats and vulnerabilities but also actively contribute to the achievement of broader business objectives, such as growth, profitability, and competitiveness.
There are multiple avenues leaders can take to bridge the gap between security and business growth to ensure that security becomes an enabler rather than an impediment. Below, we will explore three approaches for leaders to accomplish this alignment.
Linking Security Objectives to Organizational Goals
When thinking of AppSec , effective leadership involves aligning security objectives seamlessly with overarching business goals. This alignment is essential for harmonizing efforts and resources, as well as for ensuring that security investments contribute to the organization’s success. Leaders must bridge the gap between security and the bottom line by clearly articulating how security objectives support and advance broader business objectives.
According to Accenture’s “State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2023” report, organizations that closely align their cybersecurity programs to business objectives are 18% more likely to achieve target revenue growth and market share, as well as 26% more likely to lower the cost of cybersecurity breaches and incidents.
Strategies for Business-Centric Security
Leaders can employ various strategies to ensure that security becomes an integral part of business growth and profitability. This includes the adoption of a risk-based approach to security, where security investments are directed towards areas that have the most significant impact on the organization’s goals and operations. Additionally, fostering a culture of security awareness across all levels of the organization can help employees understand how their roles contribute to both security and business success.
Security as a Business Enabler
Leaders must champion the idea that security is not merely a defensive measure but also a proactive business enabler. By integrating security into product and service development, organizations can enhance customer trust and create a competitive advantage. Leaders should encourage cross-functional collaboration between security teams and other departments to ensure that security considerations are embedded into all business processes.
Overall, by linking security objectives to broader organizational goals and implementing strategies that prioritize business-centric security, leaders can ensure that security becomes an essential driver of growth, profitability, and long-term success.
Communication and Education Strategies
Communication and education nowadays doesn’t just boil down to a few educational videos, seminars, or meetings. It takes way more to keep everyone engaged and on the same page.
This is why creating a smart education strategy for your company is the single most important aspect of keeping your data & employees safe in the unpredictable environment that is the tech world.
In practice, this means that you have to make cybersecurity education a daily routine, something that has to come as an integral part of the job, not an extracurricular activity that people despise.
Effective ways leaders can communicate the importance of security
There are a few approaches to this issue, but there are some common denominators to all the successful internal cybersecurity campaigns:
Fun & Engaging
By gamifying cybersecurity education, you’re opening up a non-traditional portal of making other people care about cybersecurity while drawing them in gradually, thus making AppSec culture an organic part of your organization.
Interactive
If there’s one thing psychology taught us over the years, it’s that people care about other people’s approval. This is why including different personalities in your educational content makes a difference right from the start, and ensures that everyone cares about their performances & transparency
Practical
Throughout all the experiments & over-the-top campaigns that happened over the history of education, we’ve learned that the best way of learning & gaining knowledge is to practice in real-life situations. This makes participants understand the weight of the issue they could be dealing with at some point in the future, putting the culture of responsibility at the forefront.
Creating a Transparent and Inclusive Environment
Creating a transparent and inclusive environment in an organization is crucial for fostering a culture of trust and open communication. This becomes especially important when addressing the serious subject of security challenges and risks.
Transparency encourages teams across the organization to openly discuss security issues, share insights, and collaborate on solutions. It breaks down departmental silos, enabling a more holistic approach to identifying vulnerabilities and mitigating risks.
Inclusivity, on the other hand, ensures that every employee, regardless of their role or level of technical expertise, feels empowered to contribute to the organization’s security posture. It fosters a sense of shared responsibility, where each individual understands that they play a part in maintaining a secure environment.
This becomes particularly vital in ensuring that employees feel comfortable reporting any security concerns or potential threats. Often, hesitation to report arises from a fear of reprisal or a lack of understanding of the implications. An inclusive culture seeks to eliminate such barriers by educating employees and assuring them that their observations and concerns are valued.
To summarize, creating a transparent and inclusive environment enhances the organization’s ability to address security challenges head-on. It builds collective resilience against threats and enables more effective risk management, ultimately resulting in a more secure and stable organization.
Leadership Involvement in Security Initiatives
Leadership involvement is at the core of establishing a robust security posture within any organization. It signifies that leaders not only recognize the importance of security but also take tangible actions to uphold and advocate for security across the organization. This is paramount because it not only serves as a declaration of the organization’s commitment to security but also fosters a security-conscious culture from the top down. When leaders actively participate in security efforts, they set a clear expectation that security is a priority motivating employees at all levels to do the same.
Leadership engagement in security initiatives extends beyond mere endorsement; it requires active involvement. Leaders can lead by example by participating in security-related activities, such as vulnerability assessments, security awareness training, or incident response simulations. This participation not only underscores the importance of security but also inspires others to follow suit.
Additionally, leadership sponsorship serves as a powerful catalyst for security initiatives. When leaders support security endeavors, it sends a message throughout the organization about the non-negotiable status of security. This extends beyond verbal support; it involves the allocation of resources, budget, and personnel to bolster security measures.
Recognition and Incentives for Security-Conscious Behavior
Getting everyone to care about creating a company-wide AppSec culture is a difficult task, made worse by the fact that cybersecurity doesn’t usually get the attention it requires.
This is why recognizing individuals who thrive in keeping our environment safe is paramount for the long-term success of changing the mentality and creating a culture of responsibility.
The Romans used to say “res non verba” – deeds, not words. Saying that you care about AppSec just isn’t enough. You have to set an example and make a point of the fact that AppSec culture is very important, and not just because the consequences of ignoring it might be dire, but because keeping in line with it ensures a solid foundation for building a better future. Rather than taking the negative approach of threat and horror, try going a different route.
By showing that you care about the most responsible among your employees, you actively encourage responsible behavior. The rewarding process should be focused on the individuals who make the effort to communicate the importance of AppSec culture on a daily basis.
Measuring and Monitoring Progress
Measuring and monitoring the effectiveness of an AppSec culture within an organization involves a variety of qualitative and quantitative metrics.
Quantitative metrics for AppSec provide numerical data that can be easily measured and analyzed. These metrics are crucial for assessing the effectiveness of an organization’s security posture and for making informed decisions. Here are some commonly used quantitative metrics:
Number of Security Incidents
A decreasing trend in the number of security incidents can be a direct indicator of an effective AppSec culture.
Time to Remediate (TTR)
Measure how long it takes to fix a security issue once it has been identified. A shorter TTR generally signifies a strong security culture.
Code Reviews
Track the percentage of code changes that undergo security reviews.
Training Completion Rates
Monitor how many employees have completed mandatory security training and awareness programs.
Automated Test Coverage
Measure the percentage of codebase tested for security vulnerabilities through automated tools such as DAST.
Qualitative metrics for AppSec focus on the non-numerical aspects of security posture. They provide insights into the organizational culture, awareness, and behaviors that contribute to application security.
Employee surveys are an excellent place to start qualitative analysis. The best practice is to conduct regular surveys to assess employees’ awareness and understanding of security policies, procedures, and best practices. Questions could range from basic security hygiene to more complex issues like secure coding practices.
Related to surveys are interviews and anecdotal evidence. The idea here is to speak directly with team members to gather insights on the practical application of security policies.
Measuring a mix of these metrics can provide a comprehensive view of the effectiveness of an AppSec culture and can help in identifying areas for improvement.
Overcoming Challenges and Resistance
When working towards promoting a robust AppSec culture, leaders often encounter a spectrum of challenges and resistance within their organizations. In this section, we will explore the common obstacles leaders face and provide guidance on effectively addressing resistance and dispelling misconceptions.
Common Challenges in promoting AppSec culture
Budget Constraints
One of the prevailing challenges is the allocation of resources and budget for security initiatives. Security measures can sometimes be viewed as competing with other critical projects, leading to budget constraints that hinder AppSec efforts.
Misconceptions About Responsibility:
Resistance can arise from the misconception that security is solely the responsibility of the IT department. This misunderstanding neglects the fact that security is a shared responsibility that extends across all functions and levels of the organization.
Guidance on Addressing Resistance and Misconceptions
Communicate Business Value
Leaders should articulate the business value of AppSec clearly. Emphasize how robust security safeguards not only sensitive data but also protects the organization’s reputation and builds trust with customers and partners. Demonstrating how AppSec directly contributes to the bottom line can help secure support and resources.
Education and Training
Address misconceptions by providing comprehensive education and training programs. These initiatives should emphasize that security is a collective effort that involves every employee. Use real-world examples and case studies to illustrate the tangible benefits of strong security practices.
Foster a Culture of Inclusivity
Encourage a culture of inclusivity where feedback and ideas from all levels of the organization are welcomed and valued. This not only empowers employees but also creates a sense of ownership in AppSec initiatives. When individuals feel their input is respected, they are more likely to embrace security measures.
In summary, leaders must proactively address the common challenges and resistance encountered when promoting AppSec culture. By communicating the business value of security, providing education and training, and fostering an inclusive culture of shared responsibility, leaders can overcome these hurdles and pave the way for the successful integration of AppSec principles throughout their organization.
Sustaining Culture
Leadership commitment to AppSec is not just a one-time activity; it requires continuous effort and a long-term vision. Executives and managers must remain committed to security, actively participating in its oversight and ensuring resources are allocated for ongoing application and other security initiatives.
Executives should lead by example, championing AppSec in strategic decision-making processes. Whether it’s choosing to delay a product launch to fix a critical vulnerability or allocating a budget for advanced security tools and specialists, these choices signal the company’s commitment to security.
When leadership shows that AppSec is a top priority, it encourages a culture where each member takes ownership of security, irrespective of their role in the organization. This collective security consciousness is vital for proactively identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities, thereby strengthening the organization’s overall security posture.
Conclusion
The process towards creating a safe environment is long and hard, and as a matter of fact – it’s ongoing. There’s no destination x you have to arrive at in order to achieve your goals. Rather, it’s more akin to a zombie apocalypse – you’re constantly on alert, with everyone on the team aware of the danger, and you have to be on the move at all times. Otherwise, zombies disguised as malware will get to you and cause unsustainable damage to your organization.
It’s this constant pursuit of perfection that requires leadership from the very top of the chain, leading the way to a change of mentality. All of this requires doing small and routine activities every day.
Our Mission
Bright’s mission is to enable organizations to ship secure Applications and APIs at the speed of business. We do this by enabling quick & iterative scans to identify true and critical security vulnerabilities without compromising on quality, or software delivery speeds.
Bright empowers AppSec teams to provide the governance for securing APIs and web apps while enabling developers to take ownership of the actual security testing and remediation work early in the SDLC.
Why We Exist?
Bright exists because legacy DAST is broken. These legacy solutions are built for AppSec professionals, take hours, or even days, to run, find vulnerabilities late in the development process and are complex to deploy.
In today’s DevOps world, where companies release applications and APIs multiple times a day, a different approach is needed.