Web application security requires a multi-layered approach that considers and reduces all attack surfaces. Given the complexity of modern applications, overlooking even a small detail can leave an application vulnerable. Take the example of the Microsoft “BlueBleed” data leak, which exposed 2.4 TB of data due to a misconfigured endpoint.
This guide will help your team create a comprehensive web application security blueprint. While every application is unique, this blueprint will ensure your developers have a solid foundation, and with the help of Kiuwan’s security solutions, you’ll be better equipped to safeguard your applications.
One of the most critical elements of a security blueprint is fostering a culture where security is prioritized at the earliest phases of development. Traditionally, security testing occurs later in the software development lifecycle (SDLC), but with a DevSecOps approach, security is incorporated early. This “shift left” mindset helps developers identify security flaws when they are easier and cheaper to fix.
Shifting left isn’t just about early testing—it’s a mindset. Security becomes everyone’s responsibility. Most breaches result from human error, and addressing security from the start ensures that security gaps are closed long before deployment.
How Kiuwan Helps: Kiuwan’s Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tools support a shift-left approach by allowing developers to scan code for vulnerabilities early in the SDLC. Automated, real-time scans highlight security flaws and potential compliance violations as code is written, helping teams avoid costly rework later.
Given the numerous security considerations, codifying security measures into code helps teams stay organized and proactive. Security as Code (SaC) integrates security checks and gates into every phase of the SDLC, minimizing the likelihood of security vulnerabilities being missed.
SaC can incorporate access control policies, vulnerability scanning, and security testing as part of automated workflows, making it easier to maintain security standards throughout the project lifecycle.
How Kiuwan Helps: Kiuwan supports the implementation of SaC by enabling automated security scans that integrate into your continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. With Kiuwan, teams can codify security rules into their workflows, ensuring that security is tested automatically at each stage of development.
Controlling access to resources is fundamental to securing any web application. Authentication, session management, and Zero Trust policies should be at the core of access control measures to prevent unauthorized users from entering sensitive systems.
How Kiuwan Helps: Kiuwan’s tools integrate with your existing development environment and support the implementation of strong access control policies. This ensures that any unauthorized changes or potential access issues are flagged early, giving your team greater oversight and control.
Most modern applications contain open-source components, which can introduce vulnerabilities into the codebase. It’s crucial to scan for these vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. In high-profile breaches, such as the Equifax hack, organizations failed to patch known open-source vulnerabilities, resulting in billions of dollars in damages.
How Kiuwan Helps: Kiuwan’s SCA tool, Kiuwan Insights Open Source, provides full visibility into your codebase, including hidden dependencies. This allows development teams to identify and patch vulnerabilities quickly. Kiuwan’s SAST tool further enhances security by automatically scanning for coding flaws and providing remediation suggestions to fix issues before code is committed.
Security testing should run parallel to vulnerability scanning. SAST tools check for vulnerabilities within static code, while Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tools test the application while it’s running. Together, these approaches provide comprehensive security testing to cover all attack surfaces.
How Kiuwan Helps: Kiuwan integrates both SAST and SCA testing within your development workflow, ensuring vulnerabilities are identified early. Its automated security testing functions prevent bottlenecks while maintaining a strong security posture. Incorporating both static and dynamic tests provides a robust layer of protection.
Creating a blueprint for web application security requires clear and comprehensive documentation. This includes documenting security policies, infrastructure, components, and procedures for each application. Proper documentation helps ensure consistency and provides all team members with the necessary guidance to maintain security standards.
How Kiuwan Helps: Kiuwan generates detailed reports and analytics, documenting all identified vulnerabilities, coding issues, and security assessments. These reports can be tailored to meet your organization’s compliance and security needs, providing a clear record of security testing, remediation steps, and performance metrics. Additionally, Kiuwan can generate Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) components, offering visibility into open-source dependencies and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks. This documentation is essential for audits and ongoing security reviews, ensuring transparency across the development and security teams.
No matter how many precautions developers take, there’s always a risk of a security incident. Having a well-prepared incident response plan is critical to minimizing damage when a breach occurs.
How Kiuwan Helps: Kiuwan’s platform provides real-time monitoring and continuous scanning, which allows teams to detect security threats as they arise. Kiuwan’s tools provide detailed reports on potential vulnerabilities, helping incident response teams quickly identify the root cause and respond appropriately.
Every web application security blueprint needs the right tools for execution. Kiuwan is a comprehensive application security platform that supports over 30 programming languages and provides SAST, SCA, and QA tools for building a resilient security program. Our platform enables development teams to implement shift-left practices and build secure applications from the ground up.
If you’re ready to secure your web applications from end to end, contact us today to request a demo.
