SSDLC – The secure software development life cycle enables software developers to streamline both their creation and implementation of a particular product in a safe and secure way. The procedure of software development includes many complex steps, as well as prioritizing security through each and every part of the procedure that can help to make the software safe for clients to use. Knowing the approach of the life cycle of secure software development and SDLC security can help you to maintain the integrity of your product, implement proper cyber security, and meet customer needs.
So, in this article, let us discuss what the secure software development life cycle is, its steps and importance, and benefits, along with knowing about SDLC models.
What is the SSDLC or secure software development lifecycle?
It is a procedure that aids developers in completing the entire development procedure smoothly, ensuring the security of the product, optimizing the design and maintenance of software, etc. SSDLC is an optimized and specialized version of the life cycle of software development that places emphasis on program security.
The initial components of SSDLC are similar to SDLC, but they even require the addition of the best practices of software security. In order to implement SSDLC effectively, teams of software development consider security measures equal in importance to the functionality of the software.
What is the importance of security in the software development lifecycle?
A secure software development lifecycle or SSDLC is crucial as it can make every element of the software safer and more secure than when developers try to implement standard SDLC. It enables the team to identify flaws in the specific system that might lead to several security risks, including cyberattacks, early in the procedure; hence, they can fix them prior to the completion of the procedure.
This may prevent expensive security breaches and even prevent delays in bringing the product to market. Also, it shows stakeholders and managers that the team of developers works to recognize potential corners and also correct them whenever they arise. This may increase confidence in the project and also can minimize risks to the company.
What are the benefits of the SSDLC?
SSDLC comes with many advantages, especially in terms of security. The task of maintaining applications that are secure continues to grow in importance as technological advances have made almost all software accessible digitally. Some notable benefits that you can enjoy using SSDLC are:
- Consistent testing that allows for control over complex, large projects.
- Its structured approach can create a clear project plan and timeline.
- It can simplify the goals and roles of each person involved in the project.
The important steps of implementing SSDLC
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Planning and analyzing requirements
SSDLC’s first stage is the most important procedure as it can determine the framework that a team of developers can use for approaching the entire development procedure. Senior team members can start this stage of the project to establish basic plans and product requirements for the software. Next, they can complete a feasibility study, which can take every aspect of the project into account to find out its likelihood of success. A few factors that are included in this process are technical, economical, legal, operational, etc.
The results of the quality assurance and feasibility study planning procedure give the development team information that they need to plan a specific technical approach to complete the project.
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Outlining software design, architecture, and also development
In this step, the team uses an SRS or software requirement specification document to make detailed plans for the architecture of the software or its systems and structures. The SRS is essentially a list of product needs that can determine how the team needs to design the software.
The team creates multiple design plans and even compiles them into a document, known as a DDS or design document specification. Stakeholders and managers review the DDS to choose the optimal approach for the project.
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Planning for software testing
In this step, the team needs to decide how to plan to test the software. Professionals who work on quality assurance need to handle the test plan of the software. Also, they need to plan and allocate resources for the testing process. The test plan includes the following:
- The features and modules to test.
- The strategy for the completion of the testing procedure.
- The resources that the team of developers needs to use.
- Expectations about project limitations.
- Schedule of the software testing steps.
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Coding the software
Here, the team needs to start developing software according to the DDS guidelines. The complete documentation that the developers created during the stages of planning makes it a lot easier for programmers and developers to implement code without unwanted delays. Development teams need to use some languages like C++, C, Java, PHP, JavaScript, Pascal, and Python.
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Testing the software and assessing results
After writing and reviewing the software coding, the team needs to move to the stage called product testing. In this stage, they need to evaluate the product for notable issues, resolve them, and also retest the software until they can resolve all the issues.
Although this stage occurs directly prior to the release of the product, SSDLC needs developers to continue testing the program during each stage of the entire procedure of software creation. This helps them to find out potential security risks and even correct them before starting the next stage.
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Releasing the software
After performing the procedures of testing and quality assurance reviews of the product, they can release the product onto the market. Several companies opt to use test groups to try the software prior to they release it to their client base, while others try to release the entire product immediately.
With the help of customer feedback, developers can continue to text the software and make improvements if required, as well as resolve issues.
So, Secure Software Development Lifecycle, and penetration testing are always important to ensure the best quality of your software and also ensure required cyber security. For expert assistance, you can trust Detox Technologies.
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