The role of cyber security in software development

American entrepreneur, Dhar Mann famously said, “Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.” For businesses, a data breach or hack can ruin a hard-earned reputation in minutes and take years to recover from. Unfortunately, as brands begin to take a proactive approach to cyber security, it has created a global shortage of software development skills. But how did we get here?
 
Coding has played a critical role throughout history, one example being the German Enigma Code used before and during WWII, which was credited with paving the way for the invention of computers. In addition, the code prompted Alan Turing to build the universal Turing machine, a mathematical model of modern computers we all use today.

Alan Turing’s story was brought to life by Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game, which continues to inspire programmers around the world. In addition, Hollywood has a long history of celebrating the impact that programmers can make in fan favourites such as Hackers, The Social Network, Jobs, and Pirates of Silicon Valley. These films showcase the ideology and methodology of software developers and programmers and inspire people to enter a career where they can make a difference.

Coders are the unsung heroes securing the internet in a digital age, and there is an opportunity for you to join them. The tech skills shortage is making cyber security software development opportunities more lucrative than ever. 

Here are just a few ways coders secure the online world for everyone in tech, where no two days are the same.

Ensuring software development is cyber secure from the beginning

Computer programming is a building block of computer science, but it’s important to remember that computer science is also the foundation of computer security. In the past, many were guilty of leaving security until the end of the development process, only to react to the inevitable attack in the months ahead. Thankfully, the industry has adopted a much more proactive approach to cyber security where from the ground up, systems are built with a security-first approach.

Software development is not all about design. A new breed of cyber security software developers implement and routinely test corporate software to ensure they do not fall victim to a high-profile hack or data breach. They are also responsible for debugging and remedying any potential flaws that they might find along the way. Most vulnerabilities will be exploited from an application or programme’s source code. This is where cyber security software developers mitigate risk by following secure coding standards, such as OWASP and SEI Cert, right from the design and architecture of an application. By removing all software vulnerabilities and following best practices, businesses can not only reduce cyber attacks but prevent future attacks from happening in the first place.

Learning how to code securely in various coding languages helps developers to build multiple types of secure coding practices to avoid common security vulnerabilities. By software developers investing in themselves and learning the most sought-after coding languages, graduates can secure roles with some of the biggest names in tech, such as IBM, BT, Apple, and Microsoft.
 

Security analysis on the Software Creation Cycle

The software development life cycle (SDLC) is a framework for building an application from idea to decommission. Developers play a crucial role in this process and are challenged with increasing the speed and frequency of deployment. But most importantly, they ensure everything is secure and free from vulnerabilities for people to exploit.

Cyber security software developers have a keen eye for detail across the entire software creation cycle. Their mission is to create and maintain security within the organisation, which often means they will be seen leading the software design process right through the implementation and testing stages.

These coders will identify mistakes that occurred during the software development and flush out any existing vulnerabilities. Coders passionate about their work can be found actively researching and gaining knowledge of emerging attack vectors and identifying new flaws. These insights will help ensure every developer evolves with the ever-changing security programming practices while also maintaining technical documentation for future reference.
 

Collaboration between software developers and cyber security teams

With the rise in ransomware attacks, many malicious attackers will target corporate email, critical applications, and document management systems. The problem is that certain individuals are seen as the weakest link in cyber security and often accidentally click on phishing links, open unverified attachments, or are guilty of oversharing information on social networking platforms. Cyber security analysts can help mitigate these risks by working with the broader tech team to separate all business functions. Then, if an attacker gains access to the corporate network, they will have limited impact and nowhere else to go.

Identity and access management policies will also ensure that every user only accesses what is assigned to their role profile. Software developers play a critical role in building these secure environments and work tirelessly to provide a security-first mindset across the organisation. 

Cyber security coding requires developers to leverage programming languages to protect networks and systems from attackers. However, excellent communication and technical skills are essential for security software developers when interacting with clients or providing support. Underestimating the importance of these skills can hinder their ability to succeed in their role. 
 

Securing sensitive data

It’s already well documented that cut-and-paste coding puts the internet and society at risk. As a result, security developers are getting into the habit of updating their code and code dependencies to reduce application vulnerability. But there is much more to being a security developer than developing, testing, deploying, and protecting applications. Coders also improve security around data management to protect corporate information from getting into the wrong hands.

There is an inconvenient truth that manual processes are no longer enough to keep a business safe. It’s time to move away from viewing security as something tackled once a year or quarter. Data changes at breakneck speed in the digital age, and data processing cycles are becoming much shorter. But DataSecOps is rapidly becoming known as an enabler of data democratisation processes.

Now that cyber security has become a continuous part of data operations, DataSecOps automates some aspects by integrating privacy, security, and governance into automated workflows. 
 

Uncover threats and find resolutions

A cyber security developer is challenged to uncover new security threats and find resolutions that will protect the business. They will also test the resilience of the application against popular attack methods such as Malware. This could involve the creation of security protocols that can be integrated into existing applications across the business.

Developers love to code, but much of their time is dedicated to troubleshooting, fixing flaws, and debugging. These all help coders develop new strategies against the constant barrage of viruses, spyware, and Malware.

Ultimately, security is creating a secure environment for everyone online. Everything from a newsletter and small website to a critical business application and entire infrastructure will heavily rely on a cyber security software developer to keep everyone safe. The current tech skills gap is creating an opportunity for anyone to play their part.
 

What is the average salary for cyber security specialists in software development

The best coders seamlessly combine their technical and soft skills while actively collaborating and encouraging others in their work environment. Businesses are crying out for anyone who has these skills. With the average software developer salary of £57,000 a year, these roles are attractive for anyone wanting to break into the industry or are looking to boost their existing career in the tech industry.

For any wannabe cyber security experts reading this, Python is an invaluable programming language to master. Python is often used to detect Malware, penetration testing, and can analyse potential cyber threats. The course that teaches you the fundamentals and understanding of Python has no entry requirements, not to mention it’s also easy to learn and put into practice.

 

Are you forward-thinking, analytical, and a good communicator? Would you like a role where you are responsible for protecting a business’ software from malware and ransomware attacks or data breaches?

Contact our team, who will be happy to advise you on the best course for you to kickstart a secure career in software development.