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In recent years, the world has been taken over by technology and remote work. As a result, applications and software have become integral to business operations. Sadly, this reliance also makes these applications a prime target for notorious cybercriminals, hoping to get their hands on sensitive and confidential enterprise data.

Since applications are so complex, they require a multi-level approach to security that spans from development to deployment, and into the Cloud. In this blog, we analyze the importance of application security, in addition to outlining the best practices for implementing an effective application security strategy.

The Significance of Application Security and How to Do it Right

What is Application Security?

Now, let’s take a closer look at what exactly application security is. Essentially, application security is a set of security measures that are applied at the app level to prevent data or code from being misused, stolen or maliciously altered.

The importance of application security lies in the fact that application-layer attacks are among the most common type of attacks these days. With so many applications available from all over the place, they are often accessed by different networks connected to the internet. While this is convenient, it also means that the apps themselves are vulnerable to threats and data breaches. This is why it is crucial for businesses to have comprehensive application security as an integral component of their overall cybersecurity strategy.

Now, the question arises; what does application security entail? It usually involves a mix of security software and hardware devices.

Importance of Application Security

Long gone are the days when securing the network perimeter was enough to keep your enterprise safe from cyberattacks. The increasing reliance on various applications, across the world, has made application security all the more significant.

And here’s the thing, good application security doesn’t have to be a burden on your business. In fact, it can be an enabler for innovation. By identifying weak points in your processes, you can make dynamic adjustments that help you stay ahead of daily threats, and keep your customer data and critical workloads safe.

It’s time to move beyond the idea that security is a clunky, friction-filled process that slows down your operations. A holistic approach to security can better align your team, and enable you to address issues as they arise, with minimal impact on your business.

Now, application security is no longer just a “nice-to-have” thing, rather a “must-have” for any business that values its customers and wants to thrive in a competitive marketplace. By prioritizing application-first security, businesses can move with speed, earn the trust of their customers, and secure a brighter future.

Types of Threats to Application Security

When it comes to application security threats, there are several common vulnerabilities that developers and security teams must watch out for.

SQL Injection

One of the most notorious application related threats is Structured Query Language (SQL) injection, where malicious code is injected into a database query, to manipulate or extract sensitive data.

Authentication and Authorization

Another critical area to consider is authentication and authorization vulnerabilities, which are often found in custom code that is unique to a particular application. This makes them incredibly difficult to detect, especially during the early stages of development.

Weak Encryption Algorithms

Weak encryption algorithms are also a common security threat, and while they may not involve complex data or control flow, they can still leave an application vulnerable to attacks.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is another type of security vulnerability that occurs when an attacker injects malicious code into a web page being viewed by other users. In the context of application security, XSS is considered a severe threat, because it can be difficult to detect and then mitigate.

Components of an Effective Application Security Strategy

Although the aforementioned problems associated with application security threats may seem overwhelming, it is important to remember that the purpose of discussion is to spread awareness.

This way, businesses can stay vigilant and adopt comprehensive application security strategies to proactively mitigate the risks. Now, let’s take a look at some of the key components that make up a successful strategy.

  • Firewalls: These are a network security measure that act as a barrier between an enterprise’s internal and external networks. They can help prevent un-authorized access and limit the damage that attackers can cause.

 

  • Encryption: Encryption is another important security measure that protects data from un-authorized access or use. It can be used to secure data, both in transit and at rest.

 

  • Access Controls: As the name suggests, access control restricts access to resources or information based on user identity or role, reducing the risk of insider threats.

 

  • Regular Updates and Patches: Regular updates and patches are also critical to maintaining a secure application environment. Updates and patches address known vulnerabilities, and ensure that the application is up-to-date with the latest security measures.

 

Best Practices for Implementing Application Security

Effective application security requires a combination of technical measures, as well as best practices to keep cyber miscreants at bay. Some of them are mentioned below.

  1. Businesses must start off by creating a secure application environment. This involves the adoption of secure coding practices, in addition to conducting regular security assessments.

 

  1. Secondly, the role of continuous monitoring and timely response must not be underestimated. These involve keeping a close eye on the application environment for any signs of suspicious activity. In the event of a security breach, timely response is equally crucial to mitigate damage, and prevent further harm.

 

  1. Remember, when it comes to securing your applications, it is important to prioritize the ones that are critical to your business. This is because hackers tend to target the most valuable assets, which could be a major problem if they are breached. So, the primary focus should be on the applications that are most critical to the enterprise bottom line.

 

  1. Additionally, businesses must also conduct regular security assessments. This way, the identification of application vulnerabilities can be a lot easier. It is also imperative to ensure that any security measures that are in place are effective.

 

  1. Finally, an all-encompassing security policy must be developed and implemented across the enterprise. It must include guidance on how to remediate these issues, which will help standardize the security protocols and reduce ad-hoc monitoring. Plus, it is always a good idea to outline the enterprise’s approach to application security, including roles and responsibilities, security measures and incident response protocols.

 

Conclusion

The aforementioned discussion and best-practices are great starting points for improving your application security. However, it is important to remember that every enterprise has its own unique security needs and goals.

Building a strong defense must be an on-going process that requires a layered approach. So, before it is too late, businesses must start investing in robust application security measures today, to save them from the headache of dealing with a security breach, tomorrow.

Contact Now for reliable and efficient IT as well as Technology solutions to manage your enterprise IT infrastructure. ATSG’s Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solutions allow for easy management and deployment of virtual desktops, which results in more streamlined and efficient workflows.

The best part is that our DaaS solutions also support a wide range of productivity applications, making it easy for your team to work and collaborate from anywhere, at any time.

And with the Layered Application Security capabilities of ATSG Xentaurs, you can trust that your data and applications are always secure from both internal vulnerabilities and external threats.