How to secure an application

How would you secure an application?

A handy checklist of things to do.

There are some simple ways to secure an application on a server. The first thing you should do is set up the proper firewall on your server if possible (NOTE: This may require root access or other administrative rights).

You may need to change permissions and ownership for folders and files in your FTP account (NOTE: these instructions will vary depending on which CMS or platform you use.)

It is also advisable to encrypt confidential information such as customer credit card numbers. Credit Card companies such as Visa recommend using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 128 bit encryption to protect your data. You can also use a service like TrustCommerce to help ensure the safety of your transactions.

You should also use strong passwords and change them often. A password manager can be a great tool to help you create and manage complex passwords.

It is important to keep your software up-to-date as well. Developers release patches and updates for a reason - to fix security holes in the software. Make sure you install these updates as soon as they become available.

Lastly, it's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of an emergency. This could include having regular backups of your entire website or just critical files. Having a recent backup could save you from hours or days of lost work if something goes wrong.

If you follow these simple tips, you can help secure your application and keep your data safe.

Deeper dive into container security:

I'm sure that you are probably building your applications in a container, if not then you probably should be. Now that you know how to create and run an application container, it’s important to understand how to secure it. Container security is a complex topic, but there are a few basic steps you can take to help protect your containers from attack.

First, make sure you are using a reputable registry for your container images. Reputable registries vet their images for vulnerabilities and malware, so you can be sure that the images you are using are safe.

Second, use strong passwords and authentication mechanisms to protect your containers. Make sure all users have unique passwords, and use two-factor authentication whenever possible.

Third, use firewalls and other security features to protect your containers from attack. Make sure your firewalls are properly configured, and use intrusion detection and prevention systems to help keep your containers safe.

Fourth, be careful with the data you store in your containers. Make sure you don’t store sensitive data in public containers, and use encryption wherever possible.

Finally, keep your software up-to-date. Security vulnerabilities are constantly being discovered in software applications, so it’s important to make sure you are using the latest versions of all your applications.

Following these steps will help secure your application containers and protect them from attack. For more information on container security, please consult the resources listed below.

Resources:

Container Security: The Essential Guide