Security Awareness Lifecycle: Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out
Oct 17, 2023
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The podcast discusses the effectiveness of security measures in preventing cyberattacks and the need to better understand misconfigurations in cloud security. It also highlights the importance of involving and empowering developers in app security, the debate between default security and no security settings, and the shift from securing to protecting the software supply chain through risk management.
The need for a cohesive and unified approach to application security in the cloud and DevOps era.
The importance of implementing a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) to manage risks introduced by open source software and third-party components.
Deep dives
The Importance of Application Security and Shift Left Approach
Application security has undergone a significant transformation as DevOps and cloud technologies have become more prevalent. It used to be synonymous with static application security testing (SAST), but now it encompasses securing the entire software development lifecycle from code to deployment. With the shift to cloud and DevOps, the need for a cohesive and unified approach to application security has become crucial. Siloed solutions that address specific areas like SAST, IAST, and CI/CD security are no longer sufficient. Organizations need visibility into their entire ecosystem, understanding the risks introduced by every package and dependency. This comprehensive approach helps prioritize security efforts and build effective security products that cater to developers' needs. The industry is moving towards a more standardized Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), which provides insights into the software components and their dependencies. While adoption of SBOM is still developing, it is expected to become a standard practice in the next one to two years.
The Challenges of Securing Open Source Software
The increasing use of open source software in modern applications presents unique challenges for software security. As applications are composed of numerous inconsistently maintained software components, securing the software supply chain becomes critical. The concept of a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) has gained traction as it helps identify and understand all the dependencies in an application. However, the practical implementation of SBOMs remains a challenge. While the industry recognizes the importance of SBOMs, achieving widespread adoption requires collaboration between vendors and organizations. Vendors need to develop effective SBOM solutions that provide comprehensive visibility into dependency trees and the associated security risks. Organizations, on the other hand, must prioritize the implementation of SBOMs as part of their software development and security processes.
Shifting from Securing to Protecting the Software Supply Chain
The traditional focus on securing the software supply chain is shifting towards a holistic approach that includes protecting the supply chain. Implicit risks introduced by open source software and third-party components must be managed alongside the explicit control organizations have over their internally developed code. This means shifting from a risk prevention mindset to risk management, where organizations prioritize identifying and mitigating risks. The Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) plays a crucial role in providing visibility into the supply chain, enabling organizations to have informed discussions with developers and stakeholders about risk management and reduction. A risk management approach recognizes that complete prevention is not always possible, but organizations can make informed decisions and reduce residual risk by proactively managing their software supply chain.
The Future of Application Security
The field of application security is evolving rapidly, driven by ongoing industry-defining moments and the changing landscape of software development. The focus is shifting towards comprehensive solutions that offer a unified view of security across the software development lifecycle. The ideal scenario involves solutions that integrate static composition analysis, dynamic analysis, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) security. The goal is to provide security products that empower developers and align with their workflow, enhancing security awareness and facilitating proactive risk management. The future of application security lies in leveraging AI, developing effective SBOM practices, and creating tailored products that address the specific challenges faced by organizations in securing their applications.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series.
When it comes to security awareness, the advice generally doesn't change. There are a set of best practices that have proven to be effective. So we know what we want to tell people. Communicate it consistently. So how do we relay that information without sounding like a broken record?
As cloud attacks increase, how should AppSec respond? Hear from Daniel Krivelevich, CTO of AppSec at Palo Alto Networks, as he dives into modern application security strategies that can help teams defend their engineering ecosystems from modern attacks. Watch now to level up your AppSec program.
In this episode:
What security measures have been the most successful in preventing cyberattacks?
What do we need to better understand about misconfigurations to better secure the cloud?
How do we relay this information without sounding like a broken record?
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