How do you review software security?

1 Identify the risks

The first step to review software security is to identify the potential risks and threats that your software may face. This can be done by performing a threat modeling exercise, where you analyze your software architecture, components, data flows, and interactions, and identify the possible attack vectors, vulnerabilities, and impacts. You can use frameworks such as STRIDE or DREAD to help you categorize and prioritize the risks based on their severity and likelihood.

2 Apply the principles

In order to review software security, the next step is to apply the principles of secure software design and development. These guidelines can help you avoid common mistakes that can impact your software security. For example, you should minimize the attack surface by reducing exposed features, interfaces, and dependencies. Additionally, practice defense in depth by using multiple layers of security controls and mechanisms to protect your software from various angles. Furthermore, adhere to the least privilege principle by granting only the minimum access and permissions required for your software to function. Validate inputs and outputs by checking and sanitizing any data that enters or leaves your software, preventing injection attacks and cross-site scripting. Additionally, encrypt and hash sensitive data using strong encryption and hashing algorithms, as well as store the keys securely. Lastly, use secure coding standards and tools such as code analyzers, linters, and formatters to detect and fix any security issues in your code.

3 Test the security

The third step to review software security is to test the security of your software using various methods and tools, such as static analysis, dynamic analysis, penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and security auditing. This testing helps to verify that the software meets security requirements and expectations, as well as identify any gaps or weaknesses that need to be addressed. For example, static analysis can be used to analyze source code or binaries for any security flaws or coding standards violations with tools like SonarQube, Coverity, or Fortify. Dynamic analysis can be used to monitor the software’s behavior and performance for any security issues with tools like Burp Suite, ZAP, or Nmap. Penetration testing can simulate real-world attacks on the software and try to exploit its vulnerabilities with tools such as Metasploit, Kali Linux, or OWASP Zed Attack Proxy. Vulnerability scanning can scan the software and its dependencies for any known vulnerabilities or outdated components with tools like Dependency Check, Snyk, or NVD. Security auditing can review the software and its documentation for any security gaps or inconsistencies with tools such as OpenSCAP, Lynis, or CIS Benchmarks.

4 Review the feedback

The fourth step in reviewing software security is to review the feedback and results from the previous steps, and take actions to improve your software security. This includes analyzing the findings of the risk assessment, code analysis, testing, and auditing reports and metrics to understand the root causes, impacts, and solutions of each security issue. You should then prioritize the fixes according to their severity, urgency, and complexity, before implementing the necessary changes or patches to your code, configuration, or infrastructure. Finally, document the fixes by updating your documentation, comments, or logs with information about the changes made and their rationale and benefits.

5 Repeat the process

The final step to review software security is to repeat the process regularly and continuously. Software security is not a one-time activity, but an ongoing practice that requires constant monitoring, evaluation, and improvement. You should revisit your threat model and risk assessment periodically and update them based on any changes in your software environment, requirements, or features. Additionally, review your security principles and guidelines periodically and adapt them based on any changes in your software technology, standards, or regulations. Furthermore, integrate your security testing tools and methods into your software development lifecycle and automate them using tools such as Jenkins, Travis CI, or GitHub Actions. Finally, collect and analyze the feedback from your users, customers, stakeholders, or auditors to improve your software security and satisfaction. Learn from your successes and failures to further improve your software security skills and knowledge.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?