Technology
Security by Design: Where Technology’s DNA Meets Trust
3 min read
When building a house, beyond the operational aspects, it is necessary to have a detailed plan that takes into account all safety requirements during construction. It’s also essential to consider key elements that will make the house safe, such as reinforced doors and windows with secure locks.
These concerns are usually addressed at the beginning of construction, ensuring that the entire process is secure from start to finish. This is how the concept of Security by Design works. It advocates for the incorporation of security from the initial phase of a software development project.
During Febraban Tech 2024, the largest technology and innovation event in the financial sector, which CWI attended, this was one of the key topics for speakers and participants.
This is an urgent issue due to the daily threats faced by users of tech products. In this article, you will learn more about the concept and application of Security by Design.
Actions to Enable Security by Design
Digital products developed following the principles of Security by Design make security a priority, instead of treating it as a secondary aspect.
This concept should be incorporated from the very beginning of the project, to anticipate and mitigate all possible risks the new software could be exposed to. This helps reduce the number of vulnerabilities even before the software is made available to users.
Among the actions that embody the Security by Design concept are ongoing security tests throughout development, the implementation of stronger authentication methods, and the adoption of secure coding practices to prevent vulnerabilities. Additional actions include:
Establishing Accountability for Cybersecurity Risks
Appoint individuals responsible for managing the cybersecurity risks of a product throughout its entire life cycle. These individuals should have the necessary experience, knowledge, and authority to oversee security activities.
Integrating the Capability to Detect and Respond to Threats
Design based on the premise that vulnerabilities and security incidents are inevitable. Incorporate adequate mechanisms for logging, monitoring, alerting, and incident response, which must be continuously tested and improved.
Security as the Norm
Settings should be secure by default, eliminating the need for users to make adjustments.
Continuous Security Implementation
Adopt continuous security assurance processes during delivery and throughout the product’s operational lifecycle.
Knowledge Sharing
Security expertise should not be limited to a small group. It is essential to share knowledge so that the entire team is integrated and pursuing the same goals.
Unquestionable Benefits
Ensuring software security from the design phase can help prevent numerous future issues. Therefore, it should be a priority.
Whether in the financial, retail, healthcare, education, or any other sector, it’s possible to prevent catastrophic security incidents. Key benefits of applying Security by Design include:
- Low probability that security issues will pose a problem post-launch;
- Incorporating security into software design ensures that it becomes an intrinsic part of the system, as if embedded in the project’s “DNA” — security will be integrated into all phases of development, instead of being added only at the end;
- Implementing security in later phases can make remediating vulnerabilities very difficult. With Security by Design, vulnerabilities are avoided from the start, saving resources in the long run;
- Products developed with Security by Design have fewer flaws and tend to earn greater user trust.
Focus on Information Security at CWI
Security is one of the disciplines that CWI actively develops and enhances, with groups promoting initiatives to continuously raise technical standards. Key initiatives through which we promote information security include:
- Following best practices defined by the OWASP Foundation in developing our applications;
- ISO/IEC 27001 | International standard for an Information Security Management System (currently undergoing certification);
- Security By Design is implemented in our applications, with Security professionals assigned to projects to support this process;
- A group of Security specialists responsible for coordinating security efforts across all CWI divisions.
Looking to prevent risks to your company? Trust CWI to develop custom software with security integrated throughout the entire process. Visit our services page and discover how we can boost your business operations.
Bibliography
Secure by Design. In: America’s Cyber Defense Agency. Accessed on: 22/07/2024
Security by design: segurança digital personalizada. In: Futurecom Digital. Accessed on: 29/07/2024
O que é Security by Design? In: Próximo Nível. Accessed on: 29/07/2024
Secure by Design Principles. In: UK Government Security. Accessed on: 25/07/2024
Security by design. In: itshow. Accessed on: 26/07/2024
O que é Security By Design? In: Alura. Accessed on: 29/07/2024