There are several effective strategies to manage application security risks. According to recent data, cybercrime is up over 500% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, mobile malware such as spyware, ransomware, and adware is on the rise as hackers try to infiltrate data. In 2021 alone, there were over 500 million ransomware attacks. As a software development manager, you need to know how to manage application cyber security risks. This way, you can protect your software’s sensitive information. Of course, you can also save money on costly data breaches. Read on to discover the most effective strategies to manage application security risks.

Implement Threat Modeling

First, you should implement threat modeling into your application design to manage security risks. To get started threat modeling, you should break down your planned application architecture into functional components. Next, determine the threats of each of the components. Once you identify the threats, you should categorize and prioritize the threats. Then, you can plan and prioritize controls and countermeasures for possible attacks. Based on the security requirements, you can secure your architecture through application partitioning. You can also protect features using cryptography, user identification, and biometric verification. In short, implement threat modeling to manage your application’s security risks.

Install An Advanced Container Registry

Next, you can install an advanced container registry to protect your application. For example, many developers use an Artifactory container registry to manage their repositories. With this containerization software, you can integrate a Helm repository by JFrog to access reliable privacy, high availability, and massively scalable storage. In addition, you can use local, private, and secure Helm repositories to share Helm charts across your organization. Then, you can use these remote repositories to proxy and cache your Helm charts. Additionally, you can aggregate local and remote resources under a single Helm repository to access your charts from a single URL. This fine-grained access control is critical to amplify security. Absolutely, install an advanced container registry to manage your application security risks.

Patch Software & Systems

In addition, you should patch your software and systems to protect your application. If you use open-source software, you should maintain an inventory of your components. Typically, this is called a software bill of materials or a BOM. Using this document, you can make sure you are meeting the licensing obligations for your software. Then, you can stay on top of updates and patches. In addition, you can use a software composition analysis tool to create your BOM automatically. Often, this tool can identify security and licensing risks as well. Since software updates often include security patches, it is crucial to assess risks and keep systems running on the latest version. Definitely, patch software and systems to manage risks in your application.

Create A Secure Software Development Policy

Moreover, you should also create a secure software development policy to manage your application risks. Ideally, this formal policy should outline instructions for approaching and implementing security in each phase of your SDLC. In addition, it should define security measures for each position on your team. This way, your employees can understand the right processes and tools to minimize vulnerabilities at every step in your pipeline. For example, you might use a specific software framework known for its security, structure, and consistency. Whichever policies you establish, you should educate and train employees on these measures to maintain maximum protection. Undoubtedly, create a secure software development policy to manage application risks.

Conduct Static Application Security Tests

Furthermore, conduct static application security tests (SASTs) to protect your software. These are essential to help you address security risks in software development. Also known as white-box testing, this approach tests the internal structures of an application, as opposed to its functionality. Typically, it operates at the same level as the source code to detect vulnerabilities. Ideally, you should conduct SAST early on in the software development process. Indeed, testers usually conduct static code analysis before code compilation without executing it. In addition, static application test tools can identify the specifics of an issue such as code line. Thus, this can simplify remediation and allow you to resolve bugs early on in the process. Certainly, conduct static application security tests to manage risks in your app.

There are several effective strategies to manage application security risks. First, implement threat modeling to plan security measures ahead of time. Next, install an advanced container registry to manage access control. In addition, patch software and systems to stay on top of security updates. Moreover, create a secure software development policy to strengthen protection across your pipeline. Furthermore, conduct white box testing to identify vulnerabilities early. Consider these points to learn about the most effective strategies to manage application security risks.