MASTERING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SECURITY REQUIREMENTS IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Implementing security requirements effectively involves a structured approach encompassing several crucial steps. In this blog we’ll cover the fundamentals.

Discovery and Selection

Enhancing security begins with identifying and selecting the appropriate security requirements. Developers initiate this process by understanding the security prerequisites derived from recognized standards such as the OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS). This phase involves carefully selecting the most pertinent security requirements that are specifically relevant to the application’s release or sprint. The goal is to start with a manageable number of security requirements, with the flexibility to iterate and improve security measures over time.

Investigation and Documentation

Following the selection of security requirements, developers proceed to the investigation and documentation phase. This involves a detailed examination of the existing application against the chosen security requirements to determine if the application meets these criteria or if further development is needed. The outcome of this process is a comprehensive documentation of the findings, which serves as a clear guide for subsequent actions.

Implementation

With the identified development needs, developers move on to the implementation phase. This phase focuses on modifying the application to incorporate new security features or eliminate insecure options. Developers first outline the necessary design to address the identified security requirement and then implement the required code changes to align with the specified criteria.

Testing

Testing is a critical step to validate the effectiveness of the implemented security measures. Developers create detailed test cases to confirm the presence of new security features or to disprove the existence of previously identified vulnerabilities. Through rigorous testing, developers ensure that the application is robust against potential security threats, providing assurance to stakeholders about its security.

Preventing Vulnerabilities

Integrating security requirements from the beginning of an application’s lifecycle offers numerous benefits, including the prevention of numerous vulnerabilities. By incorporating strong security measures into the development process, organizations can protect their applications against a wide range of potential threats, enhancing overall resilience and user trust.

USE AS A METRIC

ASVS serves as a metric for application developers and owners to evaluate the level of trust that can be placed in their web applications. It provides a standardized set of security requirements that developers can use to assess the security posture of their applications. This metric helps in understanding the security gaps and prioritizing remediation efforts based on the criticality of the vulnerabilities identified?

USE AS GUIDANCE

ASVS is instrumental in guiding security control developers on what to build into security controls to satisfy application security requirements. It offers detailed guidelines and recommendations for implementing various security controls, such as authentication, session management, and data protection. By following the ASVS, developers can ensure that their applications incorporate robust security measures from the design phase, aligning with recognized security best practices?115.

USE DURING PROCUREMENT

During the procurement process, ASVS can be used to specify application security verification requirements in contracts. It provides a standardized list of security requirements that vendors can use to demonstrate the security of their products and services. This ensures that the security of the procured products and services meets the expected standards, thereby reducing the risk of acquiring insecure solutions.

INTEGRATION WITH AGILE PROJECTS

ASVS can also be integrated into agile projects, providing a comprehensive checklist of application security requirements that guide the development process. It helps ensure that security is built into the agile development process, with the ASVS requirements highlighting areas that require security at each agile development phase, such as design, implementation, and deployment. This integration ensures that the application is secure before it is deployed, aligning with the agile principles of continuous improvement and security.

References: https://owasp.org/www-project-developer-guide/draft/verification/guides/asvs/ https://owasp.org/www-project-application-security-verification-standard/ https://www.jit.io/blog/owasp-asvs-to-protect-web-applications