Skip to main content

Risk Analysis and Mitigation

Updated Jan 30, 2024 ·

Security Risks in Software Development

Software development can introduce significant security risks for organizations, making it essential for cybersecurity professionals to safeguard development environments.

  • Protects against external threats
  • Reduces risk to production systems and sensitive data

Effective risk management begins with identifying and mitigating risks associated with software.

  • Perform risk analysis to identify potential threats
  • Implement mitigation strategies to reduce likelihood and impact of risks

Integration of Security in SDLC

Security must be embedded throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC), regardless of the approach (waterfall, spiral, agile).

  • Integrate security in design, development, testing, and deployment
  • Avoid "bolt-on security" practices to maintain effectiveness

Understanding Security Risks

Developers should be aware of various security vulnerabilities to avoid them effectively. Key risks include:

Risk Mitigation Strategies

To enhance security, developers should implement controls to mitigate potential risks during coding. Some examples of risk mitigation:

  • Input validation on user input
  • Encrypt sensitive data in databases
  • Enforce the principle of least privilege for user accounts
  • Conduct thorough code testing

Using Sandboxing for Safety

Sandboxing provides a controlled environment for development and testing, minimizing risks to the organization.

  • Allows modification and testing without accessing production resources
  • Works in conjunction with code repositories for version control

For more information, please see Sandboxing.