What are the key skills and competencies for application security professionals?

Key skills for application security professionals include a strong understanding of various programming languages and frameworks to identify vulnerabilities in code. Proficiency in security tools and methodologies, like penetration testing and ethical hacking, is crucial. They should have a deep knowledge of cybersecurity principles and the ability to implement security protocols. Familiarity with compliance regulations and standards is also important. Strong analytical skills to assess risks and devise mitigation strategies, along with effective communication skills to explain technical issues to non-tech stakeholders, are essential. Continuous learning to stay updated with the latest security trends is a must in this ever-evolving field.

The progression through these levels is defined by specific goals, objectives, and activities that you need to achieve to move to the next stage. By using a security maturity model, organizations can: Benchmark Current State: Understand where they currently stand in terms of security. Identify Gaps and Weaknesses: Spot areas that need improvement. Plan Improvement Actions: Develop a clear roadmap for enhancing security measures.

Application security is a journey. It would help if you defined where you want to be, and what you want to achieve and then define the proper steps to getting there. A good start would be the OWASP SAMM, or other models which exist (e.g Checkmarx offers a free framework called APMA to address the same issue). I also suggest that whatever you do, try to start small with baby steps and early adapter teams, gain success learn what worked and what could be improved and then start scaling.

A Security Maturity Model (SMM) is a framework that helps organizations assess and enhance their cybersecurity practices. It provides a structured approach to evaluate the current state of security measures and identify areas for improvement. The model typically includes stages that represent varying levels of security maturity, from basic, reactive measures to advanced, proactive strategies. By using an SMM, organizations can benchmark their security posture, set achievable goals, and implement best practices to mitigate risks. It's a crucial tool for ensuring that security evolves in step with the growing complexities of cyber threats, ultimately fostering a more resilient and secure environment.

An application security maturity model is like a roadmap for improving the security of your software. It shows you different stages, from basic to advanced, detailing how well you're protecting your software from threats and what steps you can take to make it more secure. Examples of application security maturity models are SAMM, DSOMM, ASVS, MSVS (mobile only), BSIMM etc...

There are two key maturity models: - Prescriptive, i.e. based on “best practices” as OWASP SAMM. - Descriptive, i.e. based on a conversation with a practitioner that examines how things are done in the context of the examined business area. A good example is the BSIMM assessment. In my previous roles, we used the mix of them. The OWASP SAMM assessments were focused on quarterly updates and planning with the engineering leadership on how to improve their score. They were benchmarked against other organizations in the company, so it created some competition. We used BSIMM to understand how each line of business compared to the rest of the world - a benchmark of 120+ companies. These practices helped us to make a significant impact!

Implementing a security maturity model within an organization involves customizing the model to align with specific business needs and conducting a thorough assessment to identify current security capabilities and gaps. Choose a model like SAMM or BSIMM, and engage stakeholders across all levels to define clear, measurable goals for desired security maturity. Develop a detailed plan that includes prioritization, resources, and a timeline for achieving targeted maturity levels. The most important aspect is to ensure that you have buy-in from leadership and a willingness from the organization to pursue the model. Regularly monitor and update the security practices, adjusting the approach as new threats emerge and technologies evolve.

A Security Maturity Model works by guiding organizations through a structured progression of security practices, consisting of several levels representing stages of maturity, from initial, ad-hoc processes to optimized, proactive strategies. Organizations start by evaluating their current security measures against the model's criteria. Based on this assessment, they develop a roadmap for advancing to higher maturity levels, implementing recommended practices and policies. Regular reviews and updates ensure ongoing enhancement, fostering continuous improvement. By following an SMM, organizations can systematically improve their security posture, align with industry standards, and better protect against evolving threats.

A security maturity model guides organizations through stages of improving their security practices. It starts with an Initial stage, where security measures are ad-hoc and reactive. Moving to the Managed stage, basic policies and controls are established. The Defined stage formalizes security strategies and procedures. At the Quantitatively Managed stage, metrics and analytics drive improvements. Finally, the Optimizing stage focuses on continuous enhancement through proactive measures and innovation. This structured approach ensures progressive strengthening of the organization’s security posture.

Instead of tasking a dev group that doesn't practice any security yet, with integrating SAST & DAST into their pipeline (a sure recipe for disaster), the model allows you to measure their competencies, identify their security gaps, and assign the right level of security measure for their current stage. Starting with a simple grep-like SAST tool that detects security-code-smells that are easily fixable will yield much better results in securing the application vs. bombarding developers with 100s or more findings that they won't address. Once the team continuously addresses the low-hanging fruits, they become ready to move to the next step in the model adding more security requirements.

1. Keep yourself up to date in the application security domain. 2. Coding skills matter too. Learn Python at least. 3. OWASP top 10 and cheatsheet series should be your quick reference. 4. Develop T-shaped skills and connect the dots around application security like cloud and container security, DevSecOps understandings 5. Vouch for Threat modeling, secure code, and develop a security championship culture in the organization 6. Develop soft skills and presentation skills, this is the most underrated skills in the security community. 7. Contribute to the community: training, webinars, conferences, and blogs are some useful ways 8. Have a never-give-up attitude and be humble. It will help you to grow in this industry. All the best!

There are three parts to an AppSec professional's role: 1. Technical skills - know the frameworks, models, tools and know when to apply them and why. 2. Communication skills - don't just tell people that a vulnerability exists, but explain why it's an issue and what it could realistically lead to. 3. Patching skills - most devs are not security expert and unfortunately, most AppSec experts can't code. Bridging this gap and helping the developers who build the products you test will help you become invaluable to your clients and colleagues. Combining these skills into an outstanding body of consistent work will help you transcend your current role to create structures and programs where this combination of skills is the benchmark.

In the realm of application security, progression from basic understanding to expert leadership is essential. Initially, grasping security fundamentals and recognizing common vulnerabilities lays the groundwork. As experience grows, so does the importance of a nuanced understanding of security risks and the implementation of robust defenses. My journey emphasized not just technical prowess but also integrating security seamlessly into development lifecycles, fostering a culture where security is a shared responsibility. At the pinnacle, shaping and steering organizational security strategy and mentoring others become paramount.

Becoming an appsec professional starts with a solid foundation in software development. Understanding coding and software design allows appsec professionals to identify, assess, and mitigate security vulnerabilities within applications effectively. This background not only aids in comprehending how software is built but also in understanding how it can be broken and protected. More importantly, it allows the appsec person to understand the effort it takes to remediate vulnerabilities and speak the language of the developers that they are engaging with. Additionally, appsec professionals should engage in continuous learning through coding bootcamps, contributing to open-source, and researching latest security trends and vulnerabilities.

I fully agree that the ability to collaborate with other stakeholders is important. One thought I had was mentioning that this is a key skill to have as an AppSec professional at all levels and not just advanced level, and should be a "core" skill. But as mentioned in the article it does depend on the role and organization.