Identity Security for Software Development

Chapter 2. Secure Coding Practices for Identity Security

Before getting into the strategies and methods of implementing identity security, it helps to understand the best practices for securing identity access within applications. Code security is the first line of defense against a malicious attack, and it encompasses more than just writing, compiling, and testing applications. Robust practices should foster strong defenses on every level of the organization, from every line of code to automation scripts to a secure development environment that makes identity security the central focus for human and machine actors alike.

Developers must pick and choose the best practices that make the most sense for their organization and project. An ecommerce application may require compliance with payment security standards like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), while a health care provider may need to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines. Keeping these practices in mind throughout the development process helps you identify and remediate potential issues before they make it into a production application.

The Zero Trust Model

The days of focusing solely on a strong perimeter defense are over. The shift to cloud computing, microservices, open source, AI-generated code, and IoT has broken our reliance on the single wall of security protection offered by firewalls, API gateways, and similar technologies. Now, we must protect ...