A secure software development lifecycle begins with planning. This stage is perhaps the most contentious, as it determines a project’s security requirements, including present and future vulnerabilities. It also resolves issues related to user awareness and mitigation strategies. The planning stage also lays the foundation for the subsequent phases. This article will explore some significant steps in planning a secure software development project. We’ll also touch on the implementation phase.
Planning
The planning stage is the most basic secure software development lifecycle step. This stage involves analysis of the requirements, marketing information, and customer feedback. This information is gathered through various collaborations, such as sales and marketing surveys and domain experts. This information is used to develop the basic project approach and a preliminary feasibility study to determine the short-term viability of the project. In addition to planning the basic approach of the project, the planning stage also involves identifying any possible risks to the project.
After the planning stage is complete, software developers must be able to update deployed software and create patches to fix security vulnerabilities. Security requirements may change over time, so they must be continually updated to remain effective. While initial testing may have missed obvious vulnerabilities, regular maintenance will help identify and address them. Planning a secure software development lifecycle includes defining security requirements, implementing role-specific training, and selecting the right tools. In addition, the team must be engaged in security checks so that software remains updated to meet organizational standards.
Design
A secure software development lifecycle starts with planning. The process of defining project security requirements begins here. Security requirements are identified, along with current and future vulnerabilities. A secure software development lifecycle also addresses user awareness issues, legal restrictions, and social engineering vulnerabilities. This step is critical because the software development lifecycle is the foundation for application security. Secure software development lifecycle design can help avoid pitfalls and create more secure software. For more information, read more about secure software development lifecycle design.
While testing for security vulnerabilities during the production phase of an application is a good idea, it may not be enough. New threats are constantly evolving, and traditional practices haven’t kept pace. To ensure secure application deployment, you need to protect every stage of the application development lifecycle. Some practices are aimed at making this possible, such as adjusting team culture and implementing automated verification. There are other practices that make secure SDLC design a natural part of the software development process.
Implementation
A secure software development lifecycle (SSDL) involves several stages, including planning, design, and development. During this phase, security experts analyze key risks and vulnerabilities and build security into the application’s design. Lead developers and technical architects make high-level design decisions based on these risk assessments. Many security problems can be detected and remedied during the design phase, as more than half of software defects are introduced during the development process.
