How to Build a Secure Development Lifecycle (SDLC)

In the past, security was often something that happened right before a product was released. This "bolt-on" approach is no longer effective. Today, we need to "shift left"—integrating security into the earliest stages of the development lifecycle.

What is a Secure SDLC?

A Secure SDLC involves incorporating security activities at every phase:

1. Requirements: Identify security requirements alongside functional ones.
2. Design: Conduct threat modeling to identify potential architectural flaws.
3. Development: Use secure coding standards and static analysis tools (SAST).
4. Testing: Perform dynamic analysis (DAST) and manual penetration testing.
5. Deployment & Maintenance: Implement continuous monitoring and incident response.

Why Shift Left?

Finding and fixing a security bug during the design phase is significantly cheaper than fixing it after a breach has occurred in production. A Secure SDLC also helps build a culture of security within your engineering team.

Our Role in Your SDLC

At Test and Secure, we can support your SDLC at multiple stages. Whether you need a vulnerability assessment during development or a full penetration test before a major release, we are here to help.

Conclusion

Building secure software is a marathon, not a sprint. By implementing a Secure SDLC, you can reduce risk, save money, and build better products for your customers.