Why Embracing DevSecOps Could Mitigate the Next Security Catastrophe in Tech

It's often said that the weakest link in IT security is people. Humans are more trusting than computers and prone to making mistakes, especially under pressure. This has traditionally been treated with a laissez-faire attitude. Despite knowing the risks, organizations often focus on buying and integrating tools instead of building a robust security framework that accounts for human fallibility. As software development evolves, so do the threats targeting it, and lapses in software development practices can now undermine even the most advanced security measures.

The spotlight is turning toward poor software development practices as a growing concern for security. While encryption algorithms, automated patch management, and vulnerability scanning are critical components in a secure tech stack, they are not enough. Many organizations are falling into a complacency trap, failing to provide code authors with the right training and processes that integrate security into every step of development.

The Root Causes of Poor Software Development Practices

Developers are under more pressure than ever. Continuous integration, continuous delivery, and the increasing complexity of API-connected software systems have left developers with an overwhelming workload. Agile methodologies and the demand for speed have shifted the focus toward rapid delivery, often sidelining security measures in favor of meeting deadlines.

At the same time, the complexity of modern software introduces new risks. Developers manage intricate dependencies, third-party libraries, and open-source components while juggling admin privileges that often go unchecked. These elevated privileges create potential security vulnerabilities that may allow unauthorized changes and increase the likelihood of security breaches. Attackers who gain access to a compromised account with admin rights can wreak havoc across an organization's systems.

This complexity is magnified as Global 2000 companies consolidate their operations onto comprehensive, integrated platforms like ServiceNow, Salesforce, and others. As pro-code and low-code applications converge on these platforms, the existing risks from experienced developers are magnified as low-skilled citizen developers unknowingly introduce security risks. In this new landscape, privileges, delivery pipelines, and development practices need to adapt, yet many organizations struggle to keep up.

How a Single Line of Code Can Compromise an Entire System

Security is an ongoing challenge for organizations, and today's threats are more sophisticated and global than ever. A single coding vulnerability can result in financial, legal, and reputational damage that halts innovation.

Consider some of the most common coding vulnerabilities:

• SQL Injections: A technique where malicious code is injected into a database, allowing attackers to delete, steal, or manipulate sensitive data. This is a well-known attack vector, yet it remains one of the most exploited vulnerabilities due to poor coding practices, as recently demonstrated by ethical hackers who bypassed TSA checks.
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Malicious scripts can be injected into trusted websites, leading to reputational damage. A single line of code can allow attackers to steal information or hijack user sessions.
• Buffer Overflows: When a program writes more data than it can handle, it can overwrite critical information in memory, leading to system crashes or opening doors for attackers to exploit.

While these attacks are well understood, their continued prevalence highlights a more pressing issue: citizen or low-code developers are unaware of secure coding practices and may bypass essential safeguards. However, most of these vulnerabilities can be mitigated by adopting secure development practices, including continuous testing, automated security scans, and the principles of DevSecOps.

The Real Threat: AI-Generated Code and Citizen Developers

The risks become even more pronounced as organizations increasingly rely on open-source components, third-party libraries, and AI-generated code. AI-driven development promises faster delivery and scalability but can also introduce vulnerabilities if the generated code isn't as thoroughly vetted as human-generated code.

Moreover, the rise of citizen developers using platforms like ServiceNow and Salesforce introduces a new class of risks. These non-traditional developers, often with no to limited knowledge of secure development practices, are building and deploying applications that could expose the organization to breaches. The solution isn't to slow development but to ensure that both professional and citizen developers use governed delivery policies equipped with automated security checks and are educated about secure practices.

Vetting Code, Not Just Contributors

Increasing reliance on open-source code is a growing concern. While open-source libraries accelerate development, they also open the door to vulnerabilities if not properly vetted. There are many tools available that automate vetting code that have contributed to open-source projects. These tools should absolutely be employed, but perhaps it is time to begin vetting the identity and authenticity of open-source contributors or rank/rate them to reduce the risk of state-backed bad actors. Given the growing sophistication of attacks, simply vetting individual code contributions may miss coordinated attacks that are multi-layered and time-delayed.

Modern DevSecOps tools can automate the code vetting process, scanning libraries and dependencies for vulnerabilities. By integrating these tools into the CI/CD pipeline, organizations can ensure that open-source components meet security standards before being deployed. This approach protects pro-code and low-code developers, ensuring that a single insecure line doesn't compromise an entire application.

Continuous Education: The Missing Link in the 'Continuous' Buzz

In modern software development, everything's continuous — Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, Continuous Testing… the list goes on. Yet, somehow, continuous education often gets left out of the party. For developers to stay sharp, security training can't be just a 'once-in-a-while' afterthought or something they're expected to squeeze in between sprints. If everything else in tech is continuous, why should education be any different? 

To truly support developers, organizations must invest in continuous education — ensuring developers learn as fast and frequently as they're shipping code. Regular training programs should be mandatory for both pro-code and citizen developers, ensuring they are equipped to identify security risks and understand the implications of their coding practices. This education must be ongoing as new vulnerabilities emerge regularly, and developers must stay current on the latest security threats and mitigation strategies.

The Future of Secure Development

Avoiding security-poor software development practices requires a multifaceted approach:

1. Embed Security in the Development Process: Security shouldn't be an afterthought. Organizations must adopt DevSecOps principles that integrate security into every phase of development. Automated quality checks, security testing, and approval gates should be part of the CI/CD pipeline to ensure compliance with security standards.
2. Adopt the Principle of Least Privilege: Developers should have only the access they need and nothing more. This reduces the risk of unauthorized changes and limits the impact of a compromised account.
3. Invest in Secure Tools: Automated tools for code analysis, dependency management, and configuration management can enforce security practices across development teams. These tools help ensure consistency, compliance, and traceability, creating a security-first culture.
4. Empower Developers With Education: Regular, structured education and training on secure development practices are essential. This includes traditional developers and the growing population of citizen developers building on low-code platforms. Everyone in the development process must be equipped to recognize and mitigate security risks.

Turning the Tide on Security

The convergence of poor software development practices with the rise of low-code citizen developers could lead to the next security flashpoint, but it doesn’t have to. Organizations have the tools and the opportunity to turn the tide by fully embracing DevSecOps, fostering a security-first culture, and investing in the education and empowerment of their code authors. By taking action today, organizations can fortify their security for the innovations of tomorrow.