TRINIDAT-WIKI
Software security
Why it is so important
178.6 billion euros! According to a survey, this is the amount of damage caused to German companies by cybercrime over the last 12 months, according to industry association Bitkom. Two-thirds of all companies even see their very existence threatened by cyber attacks. The topic of software security is equally important for SMEs and corporations, because the attacks target the core of most companies: their digital infrastructure. Whether it’s communication, financial transactions or the management of critical infrastructure, software now controls all key business areas. However, this also increases the risk of cyber attacks. Software security is therefore more important than ever. We show why software security is crucial and how companies can protect their IT from cyber attacks.
What does software security mean?
Software security means protecting programs and applications from unauthorised access, manipulation and harmful attacks. The objective is clear: software must function correctly, protect confidential data and be free of vulnerabilities that could otherwise be exploited by attackers.
Networking through the internet has greatly expanded the target area for cybercrime. This means that vulnerabilities in company software have an enormous threat potential.
- Beware of data theft: Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in enterprise applications to steal data. Particularly sensitive data, such as personal information, credit card data or company secrets, are at risk.
- Enormous consequences: companies that have fallen victim to cybercriminals can suffer not only financial damage but also consequences that threaten their very existence. Whether it’s the loss of customer data or production downtime, in many cases, in addition to the monetary loss, companies also face legal difficulties, for example, if personal data has fallen into unauthorised hands.
- Loss of reputation: Security incidents, such as the loss of customer data, can damage a company’s reputation with customers, partners and investors.
Do you want to make your software more secure?
We advise you on all matters relating to software security.
Common threats to software security
Where and how do data thieves and hackers attack software? We show four common threats to corporate IT security.
- Malicious software, known as malware, is a major threat to software. Viruses, worms, Trojans and ransomware are all harmful programmes designed to infect systems and steal or destroy data.
- SQL injection is a method by which cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in an application’s database to gain access or manipulate data.
- Cross-site scripting (XSS) is another threat that targets web applications. This involves integrating malicious code into web pages to steal user data or compromise systems.
- Phishing, a combination of the words ‘fishing’ and ‘password’, is also a major threat for private users of software. In this case, users are tricked by e-mail, text message or even letter into disclosing confidential information such as passwords.
How can software be protected?
Software security is based on secure software architecture, clean programming and continuous attention. The security of enterprise applications starts with the basic design and development of the software and continues through quality control and testing to user training over the entire software lifecycle.
Safety-conscious development
The integration of security measures into the entire software development cycle is of crucial importance. This includes:
- A threat assessment in the design phase that identifies potential threats at an early stage.
- Manual and automated code reviews, in which the code is regularly checked for vulnerabilities.
- Security tests, such as penetration tests, which help to identify vulnerabilities before publication.
Regular updates and patches
Some software vulnerabilities are only discovered after release. Security updates and patches can reduce the security risk.
Encryption of data
Data encryption ensures that confidential data remains protected even in the event of an attack. It is important that this level of security is applied to both stored data and data in transit.
Secure programming languages
Some programming languages offer more security than others. Developers need to choose languages and frameworks that provide built-in security features and help avoid common vulnerabilities.
Two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication is the best protection for sensitive systems and data. This is because attackers not only need a password, they also have to go through a second verification step to gain access.
Informed users
The user plays an important role when it comes to software security. After all, a careless click on a strange link can have negative consequences for IT. By following simple security measures such as using strong passwords, avoiding insecure networks and updating software, users can help minimise security threats.
Do you want to make your software more secure?
We advise you on all matters relating to software security.
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