How Marketing Ruined Shift Left | Semgrep’s Tanya Janca
Apr 15, 2025
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Tanya Janca, a cybersecurity expert with 28 years of experience and author of "Alice and Bob Learn Secure Coding," sheds light on the pitfalls of treating security as an afterthought. She emphasizes the need to redefine security as an ongoing practice rather than a final gate. Tanya shares insights on enhancing developer empowerment through clear guidelines and internal knowledge libraries. The conversation also touches on the evolving relationship between AI integration and security, advocating for continuous learning and critical evaluation of AI-generated code.
Developers often feel overwhelmed by security responsibilities as it's often treated as an afterthought instead of an integral part of the development process.
The successful integration of AI tools can significantly enhance efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, although many are still in the early stages of adoption.
Creating a culture of continuous learning and proactive security practices within teams is essential for improving software security and empowering developers.
Deep dives
Shopify's AI Mandate
Shopify's CEO has mandated that employees must demonstrate that their jobs cannot be accomplished by AI before requesting additional staffing. This has sparked significant discussion within the company and across the tech industry about the future of work in an AI-driven environment. The challenge arises in how to prove a negative, as well as understanding current job roles that may soon be replaced by AI capabilities. The conversation highlights the need for integrating AI effectively into workflows to enhance efficiency while addressing concerns about job security.
AI Adoption Patterns
A recent quiz revealed that 79% of respondents are classified as AI newbies, indicating limited integration of AI tools into their workflows. Many successful adopters have found value in automating repetitive tasks, such as code generation and testing, before expanding to more complex applications in software delivery. This suggests that while interest in AI is growing, there is still a significant gap in effective implementation in various work processes. The findings emphasize the importance of gradual adoption and practical usage for developers looking to enhance their productivity through AI.
Transforming Education with AI
AI is viewed as a transformative force in education, with potential to personalize learning experiences by adapting to individual student needs. This approach reflects the belief that personalized attention in learning can significantly enhance student engagement and understanding. Leaders from influential educational platforms are exploring ways AI can create tailored educational products that resonate with students. The concept resonates with futurists who envision an educational system where each student has access to personalized tutoring, leading to more effective learning outcomes.
Microsoft's Historical Insights
A recent deep dive into Microsoft's historical source code reveals the mathematical and engineering challenges overcome by early computer scientists. This exploration not only showcases the ingenuity behind the development of personal computing but also highlights the importance of foundational work in technology. The piece serves as a reminder of the brilliant minds that laid the groundwork for current advancements in software and computing. Engaging with this history allows professionals to appreciate the journey of technological evolution and its impact on modern practices.
Building Security Practices
Emphasizing that security is a practice rather than a one-time checklist, experts discuss the need for developers to integrate security measures throughout the software development life cycle. Effective strategies include creating clear security guidelines specific to different projects, facilitating workshops, and encouraging a culture of continuous learning. Individual developers are encouraged to seek regular training opportunities and build their knowledge base to improve their security skills. This proactive approach helps to create a more secure software environment, ultimately benefiting teams and organizations.
When it comes to securing software, most developers feel like they're playing catch-up instead of setting the rules.
Tanya Janca (SheHacksPurple), author of "Alice and Bob Learn Secure Coding," brings her 28 years of IT and security expertise—spanning counter-terrorism to enterprise training—to Dev Interrupted. She unpacks the common pitfalls teams face when security is treated as an afterthought, highlighting the developer frustration of being held accountable for security without the tools or knowledge needed to succeed.
Explore how transforming security from a final gate into an ongoing practice saves money, reduces conflict, and builds better software through clear requirements and true developer empowerment. Tanya provides concrete advice for developers and leaders on creating internal knowledge libraries, fostering continuous learning habits, and critically evaluating AI-generated code to ensure it meets security standards.
Speaking of AI's growing role, we're curious how it's reshaping workflows across the industry. Share your own experiences with AI adoption by taking our quick survey to discover your spot on the adoption graph (and what you can do to level up).
