What is application security assurance and why is it important?

Application security assurance is the process guideline for designing and implementing software which will protect data and content minimising the risk possessed by attackers through prior detection and remediation. With increasing cyber threats targeting software, it's a must that software security is assured, which will make sure that no potential harm like loss of data, alteration or misuse will be caused.
Building AppSec software should be an integral and essential part of your organisation but aren’t considered as one of the critical aspects as quality assurance is given more importance than Security assurance. Ever increasing loopholes and vulnerabilities exposed in the field of software pose a significant threat to the organisation, needs to be addressed and assured.

Guideline for Software Security Assurance Framework:-

Security Awareness:-Lack of awareness may create havoc in the development, your development team needs to be updated and educated on a regular basis. Providing developers with the necessary tools and devices to forge a strong software assurance program. When developing a long-term Security assurance program education, awareness and adequate resource is fundamental.

Ongoing Security assurance:-With maximum applications being developed on open source, you need to be well versed of the threats, and remedies need to be discovered, the main aim of Security assurance is to ensure the security of the applications when made public. On the fly checks and solutions provide the much needed ongoing Security assurance.

Automated Security Testing (AppSec tools):- When it comes to Security Assurance testing Automation plays a vital role as it’s easy to use and more robust. With secure SDLC workflow integration of bug tracking, server security etc. becomes easier than traditional testing. Below mentioned are security testing tools:-

• Static AppSec Testing (SAST)
• Dynamic AppSec Testing (DAST)
• Origin Analysis/Software Composition Analysis (SCA)
• Database Sec Scanning Mobile Application Sec Testing (MAST)

Secure Development practices and processes:- Best in class technology, skilled employees and robust procedures are basic requirement to build a security assurance. Below are some of the best in-house practices that will be helpful:-

• Abidance of industry standards and frameworks
• Highly skilled resources
• AppSec control assurance
• Information protection

There’s no easy way to achieve AppSec assurance. To gain confidence that your software is vulnerability free, it takes smart planning and execution helped with well-structured software assurance program also implemented to perfection. AppSec assurance is the foundation enterprises need to build for determining the trustworthiness of the information system.

Software security assurance services assist clients across a wide range of industry verticals in determining the compliance level of the technical security controls with applicable regulations. Proactive remediation of design flaws and IT security assurance in the business system is important, enabling enterprise stakeholders to address emerging threats while maintaining compliance with applicable regulations.