In a recent interview with Lotem Guy, VP of Product at Cycode, the rapidly evolving landscape of application security was discussed. Application security has expanded beyond code security to encompass the entire software supply chain, from code to cloud. The interview highlighted the gaps in security within the various stages of the development lifecycle and the rise of modern attacks targeting these areas. Cycode’s comprehensive solution aims to address these challenges by providing a unified platform for managing and enhancing security across the entire software supply chain.
One of the key areas of concern in application security is the presence of unaddressed gaps within the software development lifecycle. While code and cloud security have evolved, the areas in between, such as source code management, CI/CD pipelines, third-party code integration, secrets management, configuration management, containerization, cloud deployment, and runtime security, and software composition analysis, often lack adequate security measures. These areas present potential weak points that attackers can exploit, as demonstrated by recent attacks on SolarWinds and Codecov.
Cycode’s approach to addressing these gaps includes resolving the issue of hardcoded secrets in cloud-based workspaces. Hardcoded secrets pose significant security risks and can be easily exploited by attackers. Cycode recommends the use of secret management tools, automated scanning for detection, collaboration and education among development and security teams, and encryption to mitigate these risks. The integration of detection capabilities with tools like Confluence, AWS S3 buckets, and Azure allows for proactive identification and remediation of hidden risks.
Cycode’s ASPM platform offers a comprehensive solution that spans code security, software composition analysis, CI/CD pipeline security, and cloud security. It integrates with various Software Development Lifecycle Tools, providing continuous analysis and enabling early risk identification and remediation. One success story shared by Lotem Guy involves a large enterprise client that was able to prioritize risk management and remediation through Cycode’s platform, resulting in significant time savings compared to traditional approaches.
Lotem also discussed the concept of the “controlled shift left,” which emphasizes integrating security practices early in the software development lifecycle. This approach fosters collaboration between development and security teams, continuous monitoring, and alignment with compliance requirements. By embedding security during coding and design stages, vulnerabilities can be identified and mitigated earlier, reducing risks and costs.
Lotem concluded the interview with three best practices for organizations creating cloud applications: understanding and addressing security gaps, choosing effective and easy-to-operate security tools, and promoting collaboration and the shift left approach. These practices ensure comprehensive protection, seamless integration, and effective risk remediation.
In conclusion, the interview with Lotem Guy highlights the gaps and solutions shaping modern application security. Cycode’s holistic approach, spanning code to cloud, addresses these challenges and provides a unified platform for managing and enhancing security across the entire software supply chain. The future of application security lies in this integrated approach, where risks are effectively managed and remediated throughout the development lifecycle.
Key Points:
1. The application security landscape has expanded beyond code security to encompass the entire software supply chain, from code to cloud.
2. Gaps in security exist within the various stages of the development lifecycle, presenting potential weak points for attackers.
3. Cycode’s comprehensive solution addresses these challenges by providing a unified platform for managing and enhancing security across the entire software supply chain.
4. Resolving the issue of hardcoded secrets in cloud-based workspaces is crucial for mitigating security risks.
5. Cycode’s ASPM platform offers continuous analysis, early risk identification, and remediation, resulting in significant time savings for organizations.
6. The “controlled shift left” approach integrates security practices early in the development lifecycle, fostering collaboration and reducing risks and costs.
7. Understanding security gaps, choosing effective and easy-to-operate security tools, and promoting collaboration are key best practices for organizations creating cloud applications.
