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Over 250 Companies Committed to Secure-by-Design Practices

More than 250 companies have joined the “Secure-by-Design” (SBD) initiative led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). By taking this voluntary pledge, software manufacturers are committing to enhance multi-factor authentication (MFA), empower customers to manage their own patching, minimize the use of default passwords, and address vulnerabilities through various proactive security measures.

The SBD approach aims to weave cybersecurity into the very fabric of product development and system architecture. This shift seeks to establish cybersecurity as a fundamental aspect of design rather than an afterthought. Organizations that do not embrace this methodology may find themselves lagging in terms of security and compliance, risking consumer trust and facing financial repercussions; the average cost of a data breach has escalated to $4.88 million, an increase from $4.45 million in the previous year.

Implementing an SBD Strategy

So, how can organizations effectively implement an SBD strategy? Looking towards the financial services sector can provide valuable insights, as this sector often leads in investment towards innovative security methodologies and preventative measures due to substantial threats it faces:

Increasing – and More Costly – Threats

Historical trends indicate that cyber criminals tend to target sectors with significant financial assets. The financial industry encounters approximately 1,115 breaches annually, placing it fourth among all sectors in terms of vulnerabilities.

Regulatory Pressures

Financial institutions must adhere to stringent standards such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) established by the European Union. These regulations demand enhanced governance and security, compelling developers in this field to acquire verified skills to configure sensitive systems securely.

The Critical – and Fragile – State of Consumer Trust

Customers expect robust protection of their personal information and financial transactions. A breach could jeopardize consumer trust, potentially leading to severe market consequences or even the downfall of an institution.

SBD Developer Readiness

Research indicates that the financial sector is making commendable strides toward achieving SBD developer readiness. Enhancing the skills and tools of the developers who create and manage code is crucial to success.

By evaluating practices within this industry, we gain insights into how they are managing developer risk and can assist other sectors in their efforts to adopt CISA pledges effectively.

Investments in Upskilling

Most organizations host fewer than four software security group (SSG) specialists for every 100 developers, highlighting the critical need for developer upskilling. Addressing code-level vulnerabilities is essential, underscoring the necessity for dynamic training programs that are relevant to current threats—a practical, hands-on approach. The financial sector has been at the forefront of these initiatives, successfully embedding security into the software development life cycle (SDLC).

Benchmarking

For upskilling initiatives to be effective, organizations should establish benchmarks to measure whether SBD principles are integrated into their operations. This involves assessing the state of developers’ security skills and knowledge and comparing success rates with industry standards. With this data, organizations can ascertain whether their teams have effectively managed the risks associated with low security aptitude.

Proactive Threat Modeling and Testing

Providers in the financial sector frequently conduct threat modeling to mitigate risks proactively. They also implement rigorous code reviews, testing, and audits to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

By mirroring the practices of financial institutions and establishing a foundation for developer risk management, organizations across various sectors can foster a security-conscious culture among developers. This proactive approach equips developers to produce secure code efficiently, embedding robust security practices into their workflows.

Ultimately, companies that fully commit to SBD will do more than merely affirm CISA’s pledge—they will take tangible steps to ensure cybersecurity becomes a universal standard for safeguarding the digital landscape.

Source
www.techradar.com