How to give Developers Secure Coding Training
Secure coding is a method or practice of writing source code or base code that protects computer software against accidental security vulnerabilities. It includes the code that is compatible with the best security principles for a computer system or software. The code, with the capability of performing its intended work, should also be able to push away any malicious payload or security attacks. Secure coding is a technique used by software developers and IT professionals to anticipate security issues, such as cyber-attacks.
Cyber-attacks like the Petya ransomware and WannaCry are still fresh in the mind of many people. Every system has its security vulnerabilities. Secure coding helps software developers to predict different kinds of security issues and prepare a code or design accordingly.
Why train developers in secure coding?
There are many different ways to address security and vulnerability attacks. People believe that the application security tools are the only ones to address the problems and malicious attacks, and they can easily solve that problem. They are somehow true, but the problem arises when these applications slow down the normal processing and result in finding nothing. This will lead to enhanced security issues on application layers. The other more fruitful way to get rid of these problems is to use the avoidance factor of not using these security issues in the first place.
It is usually always possible for the developer to have a perfect code always. Mistakes are always there, so to bug out the issues, proper training must be given to the developer in security practices. This training would be quite helpful for the trainers, as they will have a grip and practice over applying these tools. It will prevent them from security issues, and make them so much experienced that they will apply the correct code for the first time. Proper secure coding training will escape you from making long lists of wrong listed codes and the false usage of code analysis tools. Companies are finding and providing new ways to train developers and to make them learn with the techniques that would not slow down applications.
How to transform the developers with secure coding training and new techniques?
Developers are present everywhere due to the vast increase in software and technology. Ever think of an organization without any developer? It is a challenge for developers that most of them are not security people. The developers could not be lifelong security holders. However, secure code training can make them even more efficient. The most miserable drawback of any software is its vulnerability if the code is not applied correctly or any bad decision is made during coding.
So, it is important to provide secure coding training for developers to ensure that they learn like a pro from the top experts that knows the strategies, skills, and the ultimate knowledge. To teach and train your developers, you must make them follow the training process of secure coding. With the help of new techniques make up their mind, transform their skills, enhance their abilities, and make them prosper more with the following tactics:
- Start with initial or basic steps related to coding:
The first step to open up to developers is opening their eyes towards the basics of security management and its tools. This step is raising awareness like application security awareness. This would lead to an increase in security vocabulary. This awareness is not only about telling you not to open this link or not to the on the malicious site. But it will make all of your concepts regarding security clearance. Application security is a foundational layer, which talks about security issues and ramifications for the decision, which is about to make. This step will make their base and make them even more clearly about security issues.
- Give detailed learning to implement application security:
The second phase of the secure coding technique is about filling up the brains of developers and make them practice their skills. It is the next level of learning; the role-specific knowledge will make up their minds to make the right decision for the coding purpose. Different programmers like JAVA and C have different lessons for each. Rather than showing up the developers with the latest examples, you must have to teach them with the daily supportive examples. This will let them pay more attention to their learning and concerns.
- Time to do something practical:
The next step is to impart this knowledge and history towards practicality. This step is about doing something and sticking up onto applying that knowledge. This activity is about cementing down all the things and knowing that you have learned in the first two phases. Executing the security test plans will make your skills perfect and even more enhanced. If these activities are perfect, real, and concerned, undoubtedly you will be the best developer.
- Work with the security department:
The fourth one and the last phase of developing and cementing your skills is to work and consult with other developers in the security department. After the foundational knowledge for developers, role-specific knowledge, and imparting ideas will lead to embracing other gatherings in your organization. A true security community can only be made if there are proper encouragement and enrichment of security demands and ideas. A security central team and developers make a perfect combination to share ideas among the security department and making life better for both partners.
A security community can manifest with simple things and ends up on complex organization matters. For more complex matters, conferences are arranged to gather security experts across the organizations. Hence, this secure coding training plays the most essential and effective part of the modern technological era. Moreover, you can have a successful career in any organization and get an effective salary for knowing to code and developing.