Introduction

Secure coding is an important part of any information security strategy. The goal of secure coding is to build software that is resistant to attack and can protect the data it processes. This blog post will discuss the importance of secure coding in the context of information security, as well as techniques and best practices for secure coding.

One example of a software vulnerability that could have been prevented by maintaining secure coding practices is the 2018 vulnerability found in MacOS High Sierra. The vulnerability allowed anyone to gain root access to a Mac by entering "root" as the username when prompted for login credentials.

This vulnerability was the result of an oversight in the coding process, and could have been prevented by proper secure coding practices.

What is Secure Coding?

Secure coding is a coding technique used to create software that is resistant to attack and can protect the data it processes. It involves writing code according to security principles, such as avoiding insecure data storage, implementing secure authentication, and using encryption to protect data. Secure coding also involves using secure coding libraries and frameworks to reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities.

Secure coding can be used to create applications that are more secure than those that are created without security considerations. Secure coding can also help to protect data from malicious actors, as well as reduce the risk of data breaches.

Best Practices for Secure Coding

When it comes to secure coding, there are several best practices that should be followed. These include:

• using secure coding libraries and frameworks,
• implementing secure authentication,
• using encryption to protect data,
• and avoiding insecure data storage.

It is also important to keep up-to-date with the latest security technologies and trends, as well as to understand the security implications of the code. Additionally, testing should be done regularly to ensure that the code is secure and that any security vulnerabilities have been addressed.

Secure Coding Tools

Additionally, it is important to use secure coding tools to automate the process of secure coding, as well as to monitor for security vulnerabilities.

Secure coding tools are programs that help developers write code that is secure and free from vulnerabilities. These tools can check for common mistakes and alert developers when they make them. They can also provide guidance on how to fix the mistakes.

OWASP maintains a comprehensive list of tools here.

Increased focus in ISO 27001

Secure Coding has recently been added to the the 2022 version of the ISO 27001 standard (in Annex A 8.28). This reflects the increased the focus on this topic in the information security community.

Conclusion

Secure coding is an important part of any information security strategy. It is important to understand the security implications of the code, as well as to implement secure coding best practices. By using secure coding libraries and frameworks, implementing secure authentication, using encryption to protect data, and avoiding insecure data storage, organizations can ensure that their applications are secure and that their data is protected.