Developers are under constant pressure to release features and updates as quickly as possible. However, in their haste to meet deadlines, many developers neglect to follow basic security behaviors that can leave their websites vulnerable to attack. In this blog post, we will discuss 7 developer security behaviors that you should always follow for safe and secure websites.
If you are a developer, it is important to always keep security in mind. Here are 7 developer security behaviors that you should follow:
## Write secure code
Always write code with security in mind. This includes properly validating user input, using encryption when necessary, and avoiding common security vulnerabilities such as SQL injection attacks.
Additionally, you should keep your code up to date by regularly applying security patches and updates. Outdated software is one of the most common causes of website vulnerabilities.
By writing secure code and keeping it up to date, you can help to prevent common security issues from occurring on your website.
## Apply secure design principles
In addition to writing secure code, you should also apply secure design principles to your website. This includes using the principle of least privilege, which states that users should only have access to the information and resources that they need in order to perform their job.
For example, if you have a website with user accounts, you should consider implementing role-based access control. This would give each user the appropriate level of access based on their role within the organization.
Applying secure design principles can help to further reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities on your website.
## Identify coding errors and fix
Coding errors can often lead to security vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is important to identify and fix coding errors as soon as possible.
One way to do this is to use a static code analysis tool, which can help you to automatically find and fix common coding errors. Additionally, you should also perform regular manual code reviews to look for potential security issues.
By identifying and fixing coding errors, you can help to prevent potential security vulnerabilities from occurring on your website.
## Identify common types of weaknesses and vulnerabilities
As a developer, it is important to be aware of the most common types of weaknesses and vulnerabilities. This way, you can take steps to prevent them from occurring on your website.
Some of the most common types of weaknesses include:
- Injection flaws
- Cross-site scripting (XSS)
- Broken authentication and session management
- Insufficient logging and monitoring
By taking the time to identify and learn about common types of weaknesses and vulnerabilities, you can help to prevent them from occurring on your website.
## Identify security problems in other's code
When you are reviewing other people's code, it is important to look for potential security problems. If you find any, you should report them so that they can be fixed as soon as possible.
Additionally, you should also be sure to keep up with security advisories and bulletins.
## Use source code auditing tools to discover problems
There are a number of source code auditing tools available that can help you to discover potential security problems. These tools can scan your code for common vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
Some of the most popular source code auditing tools include:
- IBM AppScan
- Veracode
- Whitehat Security static analysis
## Perform threat modeling.
Threat modeling is a process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential security threats. It can help you to identify potential security risks and take steps to mitigate them.
There are a number of different threat modeling methodologies that you can use.
The Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool is one popular option. It includes a step-by-step guide that can help you to identify, assess, and mitigate potential security threats.
By taking the time to perform threat modeling, you can help to reduce the risk of potential security threats on your website.
These are just a few of the developer security behaviors that you should follow in order to create a safe and secure website.
## Conclusion
By following these best practices, you can help to reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities on your website.
Do you have any other developer security behaviors that you would add to this list? Share in the comments below!
Additionally here are some more bonus tips to add to your Security Checklist:
- Keep your software up to date
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication
- encrypt sensitive data
- limit access to sensitive data
- use a web application firewall (WAF)
- monitor your website for suspicious activity
- log all access to sensitive data
- investigate any incidents immediately
- never store passwords in plain text
- train your employees on security best practices.
By following these security behaviors, you can help keep your website safe and secure. Keep in mind that you are under attack right now and the more you arm yourself with the knowledge that you implement the better position you will be in.