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How Application Security is different from Software Security |
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Today, software security is a little understood concept and several differences between software and application security often go unappreciated. Through this article, we aim to discuss some of these differences. |
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Application Security should not be an afterthought |
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Application security comes into play mainly during the deployment phase and revolves around providing security at the access level. So, the application security approach focuses on penetration testing. At this stage, since the application development phase has already been completed, any corrective action is a point solution and reactive. |
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On the other hand, Software security adopts a holistic view of securing software applications by getting involved right from the requirement stage of application development. As it is considered from the start, software security aims to mitigate security issues rather than fix them after they arise. Here lies a key difference between application security and software security. |
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Software security operates from the standpoint that security is not an add-on which can be included as and when needed; rather it has to be considered right at the onset so that effective security measures are built into the application. |
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Another major difference lies in the way software and application security processes address vulnerabilities when they arise. In application security, patches and temporary fixes play a major role, whereas, software security takes a more long-term approach. It tries to identify the root cause of the issue and offers permanent solutions that may even involve revisiting development processes to ensure the issue does not surface again. |
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Application Security |
Software Security |
| Mostly concerned with Deployment Security |
Deals with End-to-End Aspects of a Software |
| Penetration Testing and Patching |
Manages Software Security Issues |
| Immediate Fix |
Looks at the Root Cause |
| One-time fix for all security issues |
Life cycle Approach (start to end) |
| Security as an Afterthought |
Built-in Security |
| High Risk, Low ROI Activity |
Low Risk, High ROI Activity |
| Short-term Tactical Solution |
Long-term Strategic Solution |
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Trade off between Risk and ROI |
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Correcting security issues after application development places additional stress on already stretched resources. The costs of fixing flaws after deployment are high and also ensure time to deploy the application is longer. This becomes a case of high risk and low ROI (return on investment) approach. |
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On the other hand, software security provides a low risk and high ROI approach as security is built into the software and security risks are mitigated at every stage. Clearly, software security is the best long-term approach for application security issues. |
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Software Security – the way ahead |
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The only way to succeed against security breaches is to build security into the applications from the start. Software security through its life-cycle approach to application security offers a more sustainable and cost-effective solution. |
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Reducing the cost of fixing software security vulnerabilities |
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Today’s technology-led business environment is influenced by multiple factors placing significant importance on software security. Software security implies identifying and understanding common threats, designing for security, and subjecting all software artifacts to thorough risk analysis assessment. |
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It is acknowledged globally that fixing software errors later in the lifecycle, can add significant delays and costs to your development project. The same applies to software security as well. |
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Fixing security issues is not optional |
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Security practices followed throughout the development cycle maximizes security and data integrity, while minimizing the time and cost incurred in creating the final application. Security issues that surface later can aggravate the problem leading to security breaches and vulnerabilities, besides the high costs involved in fixing them. |
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Some of the losses a business may potentially face if the software security issues are not addressed in the initial stages – |
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Tangible |
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Data theft, data corruption, unauthorized database access |
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Business and productivity loss - if core applications are not available or compromised due to security issues- staff time to recover and restore system, repairing breach |
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Financial and legal liability for insecure software and its consequences |
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Intangible |
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Loss of business reputation |
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Delay in time to deploy the application |
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Loss of customer goodwill and trust |
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Cost of fixing security issues earlier is less |
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Software security problems come in many different shapes and sizes. Therefore, right solutions, and cost incurred depend on the nature of the problem. It involves preventive as well as corrective costs. |
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Consider this – a security related lapse discovered post-development may compel a total rearchitecting of the application. This signals huge investments correct and extra time in getting the application ready. |
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A study by Capers Jones shows that it costs 10-40 times more if a defect is found in the application testing stage, and 600 times more if it is found post release, rather than in the coding phase. |
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Another study shows that over 50% of the costs incurred in fixing software bugs are passed on to software users rather than the developers and vendors addressing it. Therefore improved testing infrastructure for early and effective identification and removal of software defects cut out more than a third of the total cost of fixing the bugs. |
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Software security from the SDLC design phase |
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These statistics on mounting costs of addressing software security issues later rather than earlier, are hard to dispute, Software developers can avoid significant pain by considering security right at the onset of the SDLC itself. Embedding security parts in all stages of the SDLC helps identifying and removing vulnerabilities at an earlier stage itself and ensuring predictable costs and time outcomes. |
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About Aujas |
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Aujas Networks Pvt. Ltd. (Aujas) is a pure-play Digital Security services company. We offer high-end security consulting and professional services including IT GRC, Software and Application Security, and Identity Management. |
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Aujas was founded by a core team of security professionals with decades of experience in Security. We are headquartered at Bangalore, India. Our value is to offer domain focused security services using our expertise and decades of security experience. |
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Contact Us |
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For more information please write to Rahul at: contact@aujas.com, www.aujas.com or Call at: +91 80-40528527 |
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