Try ShortPoint nowShortPoint thinks and breathes security. It is woven into everything we do, even the development process. We carefully follow a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) process that ensures our software is not only reliable but also meets the highest security requirements for protecting sensitive data.
This approach integrates security considerations and security practices at every phase of the software development process, from planning and building to final approval. Let's dive in and see how we keep the process safe and secure.
NOTEShortPoint does not access, store, or process customer content or data from your SharePoint environment. All references to data or content in this article refer only to ShortPoint’s own internal corporate data and not customer SharePoint content.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Built-In Software Security Right From the Start
- Our Team's Commitment to Secure Coding Standards
- How We Handle Changes Safely
- Keeping Production Environments Protected
- Secure Software Development that Works
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the importance of security in the software development life cycle?
- How does ShortPoint integrate security into its development process?
- What training do developers receive to ensure secure software development?
- How does ShortPoint manage changes to maintain security?
- Why is segregation of duties important in software security?
Built-In Software Security Right From the Start
When building a house, a strong foundation is everything. After all, no one wants a collapsed structure. We take the same approach for building software. Even from the start, security is at the forefront. It is integrated into every stage of our development process.
Planning and Design Phase
Before we write a single line of code, our software development team focuses on security requirements. We identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities. At the same time, we figure out what security controls need to be in place. We ask questions like: What sensitive information will this handle? Who needs access to it? What could go wrong, and how do we prevent it?
Development and Testing Phase
As we develop our software, we continuously test it to catch any security issues and ensure software security. Every feature gets thoroughly checked before moving forward with automated tools and code reviews. We also use automated static analysis and code-quality checks to help identify potential issues early in the development cycle. These tools enforce our internal secure coding standards and prevent common vulnerabilities before the code is reviewed by the team.
Our Team's Commitment to Secure Coding Standards
ShortPoint believes that our processes are only as strong as our team. So, we invest heavily in making sure that our developers have the knowledge and skills to write secure code. They are trained to follow the latest secure coding guidelines and security frameworks.
Training That Matters
All our developers receive specialized training in secure coding practices and security awareness. They also get extra training on how to defend against online threats and prevent security breaches. This ongoing education ensures our application development teams are well-equipped to handle evolving threats and stay up to date with techniques essential for developing secure software.
The Four-Eyes Principle
Here's a simple but powerful rule: no one reviews their own work. Every piece of code undergoes code reviews by at least one other developer who understands security concerns and knows what to look for. This extra set of eyes helps catch security flaws and mistakes early, ensuring higher software integrity and quality before anything goes live.
How We Handle Changes Safely
Even small software changes can have big impacts on the overall software development cycle and the security posture of the product. That's why we have a structured Change Management procedure for any modification, no matter how minor. This process ensures the proper documentation, testing, and approval of any change migrating to the production environment.
Before Any Change Happens
- Someone with authority must approve the proposed change.
- The change gets documented, so there's a clear record.
- Only authorized team members can submit changes.
Continuous Testing
Every change goes through rigorous security testing on systems completely separate from what our customers use. We check that it works properly, doesn't break anything else, and, most importantly, doesn't create any security vulnerabilities.
Final Review and Approval
Before a change goes live, it needs a final sign-off from management. No one can deploy a change without approval. And, if something unexpected happens, we also have a backup plan ready. We can quickly roll back to the previous version in case anything goes wrong.
Keeping Production Environments Protected
ShortPoint implements strong segregation of duties. This simply means that we maintain strict boundaries between where we develop the software and who deploys the change.
Separate Spaces
Our development, testing, and production environments are kept separate. This means experimental work never accidentally affects live systems that customers are using, reducing the risk of security vulnerabilities during the deployment phase.
Controlled Access
By design, developers can't just push changes directly to production. Only specially authorized personnel with elevated access can deploy to the live environment. This checkpoint ensures that everything going to production has been properly vetted through security reviews and approval.
Secure Software Development that Works
Each process in ShortPoint's software development lifecycle is built on a foundation of principles, quality, and trust. Every policy, every review, and every safeguard exists for one reason: to protect the integrity of ShortPoint’s internal systems and ensure our software meets the highest security requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the importance of security in the software development life cycle?
Security in the software development life cycle is crucial to ensure that software is developed with security considerations at every phase. This helps identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities early, reducing the risk of security breaches and improving the overall security posture of the product.
How does ShortPoint integrate security into its development process?
ShortPoint follows a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) process that embeds security practices from the planning and design phase through development and testing to deployment and maintenance. This includes thorough security testing, code reviews, and strict access controls in the development environment.
What training do developers receive to ensure secure software development?
Developers at ShortPoint receive specialized training in secure coding practices, security awareness, and secure coding guidelines. This ensures the team is equipped to handle evolving threats and maintain high standards of software security throughout the software development life cycle.
How does ShortPoint manage changes to maintain security?
ShortPoint uses a structured Change Management process that requires approval, documentation, and rigorous security testing for every change. This process prevents unauthorized modifications and ensures that changes do not introduce new security vulnerabilities.
Why is segregation of duties important in software security?
Segregation of duties separates the development environment from production, ensuring that developers cannot deploy changes directly to live systems. This reduces the risk of unauthorized changes and helps maintain security controls during the deployment phase.
Related articles:
- How ShortPoint Classifies and Encrypts Data
- Continuous Defense: ShortPoint’s Program for Proactive Data Security
- Security by Design: How ShortPoint Protects Data
- Zero Trust Access: How ShortPoint Keeps Data Safe with Smart Security
- Organizational Resilience: How ShortPoint Ensures Business Continuity
- Creating a Company Culture for Security: How ShortPoint Builds a Culture of Compliance
- SOC Compliance: How ShortPoint is Committed to Validating its Security Measures
- Privacy by Design: How ShortPoint Complies with the General Data Protection Regulation
