Secure SDLC consulting

Integrating security into the development life cycle

In their ongoing bid to create functional and innovative software, developers need no reminder that time, budget, and quality are all of the essence. But what is more often neglected is the matter that should be given top priority: security.

Given the inherent business risks associated with insecure software, being proactive and implementing a secure software development life cycle—from concept to release to decommission—is crucial at every step along the way.

SDLC vs SSDLC

A software development life cycle (SDLC) is a loose term that refers to the framework (process/model, steps, and timeline) companies use when developing a software application.

Different SDLC models exist (waterfall, iterative, agile, etc.) depending on the particular circumstances of the project. This is where skilled consultants can come in, to help organizations tailor the best approach for them.

Though the specific steps are never the same, in general Trianz respects the following phases for a standard SDLC framework:

• Planning and requirements
• Architecture and design
• Test planning
• Coding
• Testing and results
• Release and maintenance

Before security came along to define everything we do, it was standard to only perform security-related actions in the testing phase. Today, we know we can’t afford to discover security issues after the fact, or to risk not finding them at all.

That’s why we use the double-S approach, as in Secure Software Development Life Cycle (SSDLC). This means integrating security-related actions during each phase of development.

If you count on us, we’ll make sure the following security measures are an integral part of your development process:

• Penetration testing
• Code review
• Architecture risk analysis
• Writing security requirements alongside functional requirements

The benefits of such a security-centered approach include but are not limited to:

• reducing vulnerabilities and detecting system flaws early on
• effectively building security into the product as its backbone
• providing stakeholders greater awareness of security considerations
• saving on costs thanks to solving problems before they wreak havoc

At Trianz, we are deeply knowledgeable of the many existing secure SDLC models out there: MS SDL, NIST 800-64, OWASP CLASP, etc. After discussing with your teams, we’ll be able to determine the right one for you.

In addition to designing the best possible SSDLC for your project, beginning with the general model and framework down to the specific steps, our consultants are also there to:

• Perform a gap analysis of existing activities/policies
• Set realistic goals with attached KPIs as part of a software security initiative
• Help your teams to refine their coding practices with security in mind
• Train you on the right tools (e.g. code scanning tools) to meet security standards
• Be available to you for any support you may need along the way

If you are looking to establish a secure SDLC, or even if you would like to improve an existing one and compare it with those employed by our other clients, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Trianz consultant today.