Many business leaders are taking a second look at their business applications after high profile consumer apps such as TikTok have made headlines for data harvesting and concerns over security issues. When organizations unknowingly release vulnerable codes within their apps due to time pressure, they do that at their own risks. Nearly 46% of all data breaches occurred at the application layer in 2018.
Why Web Applications Are Attracting Attacks From Hackers
They Are Readily Accessible
Many organizations are heavily reliant on firewalls and network segmentation to secure their vital IT assets. Web applications are especially vulnerable to attackers because they are designed to be used by customers on the internet. But since the internet is full of bad actors, it's easier for hackers to compromise web-based systems. Malicious users usually mask themselves as legitimate users to gain access to critical information.
Web Applications Rule The Data Kingdom
On a regular basis, web apps share files and other information with databases. Due to the close connection between these two systems, when apps are compromised, hackers can land on databases to harvest their treasure. When these unfortunate events occur as a result of vulnerable codes in the apps, cyber-criminals can end up stealing credit card details, personal data, and other valuable information.
Hostile Actors Use Penetrating Applications
As masters of their own business, attackers use advanced app-penetrating applications to help them hunt for loopholes. When they point these tools at web applications, they can shoot and uncover vulnerabilities. Loopholes usually arise from the source codes.
How Companies Can Avoid Apps With Bad Code and Improve Security
Dynamic Application Security Test (DAST)
This is a security operation where developers scan web apps to study the vulnerabilities that exist in the running state. DAST scanning helps app developers identify potential flaws in web applications and how to improve their application security.
When DAST was first introduced to developers, web security experts made mistakes by scanning the applications at the latter phase of app development. However, it turns out this is the wrong way to approach security; it increases costs, frustrates developers, and delays timelines. Companies must perform DAST scans during the early stage of the software development lifecycle.
Secure Coding
Design standards and make sure security comes first before anything else. Instead of creating complex codes, developers should create simple codes. These can be easily read and fixed in the case of vulnerabilities. Limit human error, develop breach defense and threat models to gain a better view of vulnerabilities.
Work as a Team
Software development teams need to collaborate and collectively identify the risks involved in the app-building processes. Here's how they can avoid vulnerable codes in applications.
- Integrate solutions and perfect security testing prior to product development.
- Leverage automation to improve the effectiveness of their endpoint security testing.
- Implement error code tracking to automatically report vulnerabilities to development teams.
Truthfully, one bad code can ruin an entire organization. Therefore, it's important for companies to be mindful of their network security, and the expertise of development teams. Cheap developers can get the job done in seconds, but the effects of their shoddy codes can jeopardize the finance of the business.
Treat your network security and app development with the respect and due diligence it deserves. When your in-house resources are busy elsewhere, project management suffers and flaws come to surface. Outsource with the network security experts at Emerge IT to get the job done right and avoid catastrophic slips in code and security. Contact Emerge at 859-746-1030 and keep your development on secure and on track.