How To Lace Security Testing In Your Custom Software Development Cycle

How to lace security testing into your Custom software development cycle

A well-strategized custom software development project involves developing and building software following the custom software development cycle process. Creating software entails toil and hard work, as well as a mostly tedious work process flow. With the blitz of cyber attacks and security gaps, the creation of software is not the only goal. Rather, now a new aspect of the entire cycle is infusing security measures into which the managers and coordinators have to proactively ensure that every aspect of their software development is secure.

Data breaches have to be encountered

Over the past few years, we have seen increasing cases of data breaches. Last year, Facebook opened up about its inability to protect the passwords of 600 million users. Microsoft also admitted their company email accounts were hacked. When the biggest names have encountered this, the issue at hand is a serious one! Statista also highlighted that it costs about $2 trillion for organizations to undo the consequences of cyberattacks.

Software testing companies also acknowledge that it is crucial to implement security concerns at every stage of the cycle. The benefits of embedding security measures have highlighted the need to excel at every stage. Looking at the chart below, we see that businesses marked in red have been targeted for a long time in comparison to a lot more other domains.

Traceability is the key

Process traceability has assumed greater significance in the entire SDLC in the sense that all the security requirements should be traceable in all the stages of the custom software development cycle to prevent roadblocks. In the beginning, if clear objectives and goals are set, client acceptance increases without the need to sacrifice quality.

We must see how security measures can be injected into the custom development process, but it is also important to see the entire cycle and how it is done.

The process, as seen, has six important layers. Within each layer, there are several other processes, but analyzing and planning form a crucial part, mainly because, based on the requirements gathered and documentation now, other stages will be handled and taken ahead.

How to launder and integrate security features

• The first step points out the need to understand the exact needs of the client. One has to seek answers to relevant questions like
• What will the base and boundary of the project be like?

• Who are the people who will be involved in the project? In addition,

• What could be the likely project gaps?

Once this picture is clear enough to perceive, software development companies craft custom-made security strategies that describe the scope and requirements of the project. Relevant questions that need to be asked are

What does the software intend to achieve? What are the requisite resources needed to build the software? Based on the current availability, what other resources are needed?

When you have the answers to these questions, you will be able to see a lot of flaws that were exposed in the early stages. In the designing stage, security issues should be prioritized in small portions. The design stage should include threat modeling as well as built-in properties that predict when the system might be attacked and what the consequences might be. Considerable time should be allowed for the process, even if it means superficial delays.

Requirement gathering should be security-focused

In the initial stages, software testing companies gather requirements, which describe the need for the envisioned custom software development process. At this stage, it is important to highlight how important security is by glorifying abuse and misuse cases to carry out a risk analysis. When requirement gathering speaks the language of security, it will necessarily have a contagion effect on the entire stage.

Development stage

Without a doubt, this is the most important stage of the custom software development cycle. It includes coding and building the software. At this stage, coding errors can be identified with tools like static and dynamic application security testing that enable companies to understand where coding has floundered. This, in turn, exposes the plausible security weaknesses by treating the issues in real-time. A secure code review will go a long way in improving the quality of the code and will also ensure that it helps developers create the required code for the project.

Testing

The testing process is a very important part of the custom software development cycle. Security measures go beyond identifying bugs, and companies have to let specialized programmers test for security escapes. Internal security experts, or the outsourced team of security agents, will add to the testing process in the custom software development cycle.

Penetration testing, or the Pentest

A Pentest means that a simulated cyber attack on the system will be initiated to check the functioning of the software. This testing is important because it will help companies manage many misuses, like logic errors, authorization bypasses, and other non-adherence to protocols.

Create a Software Security Group

A software security group ensures software security is deeply engraved into the SDLC. It is a great way to gauge, train, educate, and apply noted security measures throughout the process. This will help the team manage risks effectively. SSG will act as the facilitator for software security by conducting 3rd party security evaluations in the most important stages of the custom software development cycle.

Post-Implementation

A pre-decided incident response plan should be outlined so that issues can be addressed when they come up as least expected. In the implementation stage, security monitoring is important and cannot be ceased. User feedback will prove to be the biggest fuel for change because it is here that end-users will review and give their feedback. You can get the help of software security analysts who analyze the software as a service and point out flaws.

Conclusion

The custom software development cycle is extremely well-adjusted and explicitly expressed. Defining them in stages ensures that every stage can be pre-planned effectively. All the processes can be consolidated further, augmenting your software further.