Security by design for tools and applications

Security by design is a prerequisite for any organisation that works with apps or connects systems. Build your own software, deploy SaaS, unroll your IoT devices or connect your data via digital links? If safety is not designed from the beginning, your risk of incidents, costs and liability will increase. In this article you can read what security by design means, why it is important for board members and IT board members, and how you can guarantee it in practice in policy, projects and collaboration with suppliers.

What does security by design mean?

Security by design means you're taking safety from the drawing board. Just as a building first calculates the supporting structure and then the colour paint, you first establish the basis in digital projects: Who likes what, what data are sensitive, and what happens if something goes wrong? This way you avoid that security should be pasted afterwards.

The three goals: confidentiality, integrity and availability

Confidentiality: sensitive data is only visible to those entitled to it.
Integrity: data and processes remain correct and complete, without any unwanted changes.
Availability: Systems shall continue to operate or be quickly operational in the event of a malfunction.

Security by design also hits privacy by design (AVG): to collect as little data as possible, to secure and to be transparent. Important: It's a way of working that you hold on and improve.

Why security by design is indispensable

Less surprises, lower costs: Addressing design problems is much cheaper than recovering after livegang.
Faster to comply with rules: NIS2 and ISO 27001 requirements are easier to detect when you bring them into your design and working method.
Reliability and continuity: less incidents and less failures, so more trust in customers, partners and supervisors.
Lower liability: You show that you are ..in control ..and have taken reasonable measures.
Faster by developing: less emergency repairs and reconstruction, more time for valuable improvements.

Security by design for IoT, SaaS and digital links

IoT: from trial to production

IoT devices (such as camera dynamometers, sensors and smart controllers) are often chosen for functionality and price. Without security by design, risks such as standard passwords, devices that are open .vd hung on the network or updates that are not checked.

Unique access per device: no default passwords; each device has its own secure account or certificate.
Updates you can trust: only allow updates that are demonstrably from the supplier.
Smart network design: IoT in a separate zone locations, separated from critical systems and data.
Measure and know: only send necessary data, encrypted and with basic checks for anomalies.

SaaS: Easy with focus points

Cloud software accelerates your business, but also brings with it responsibilities for information security and risk management.

One way of logging in: central login with additional verification (e.g. via your existing company login and multifactor).
Only rights required: roll per function and check regularly who still needs access.
Where's your data? record in which country data is stored and that they are encrypted during storage and transmission.
Goodbye: Pre-arrange how to export data and have it deleted safely when you stop.

APIs and other couplings

Links between systems are indispensable, but also increase the attack surface. Security by design helps to keep that manageable.

Clear access: systems and couplings must know who is on the other side and only give access to what is necessary.
Limit tempo: avoid overload by setting a maximum number of requests.
Tight entrances: only accept data and file formats you know and expect.
Insight and tracks: to see who did what when, without violating privacy.

Examples: what works and what doesn't

What does work (good patterns)

Safe default settings: Features are standard off-print until you consciously enable them.
No more dates than necessary: collect and store only what you really use, with clear retention periods.
Secrets centrally and secure: passwords and keys not in documents or code, but in a secure safe with periodic refresh.
Multiple defenses: not rely on one measure, but combine (access management, network zones, monitoring).
Standard, repeatable building blocks: works with fixed, controlled .images . or components prevents errors.
Safe way of updating: You know what you install, who it's from, and whether it's been checked.
Zero Trust Thinking: do not automatically trust because something Always check explicitly.
Bringing privacy: pseudonymisation and target separation functions are available by default.
Emergency brakes and switches: can quickly disable vulnerable functions without major changes.
Practice in peace: practice malfunctions and incidents before they really go wrong.

What does not work (wrongs to avoid)

♪ Security we'll do later ♪ Repairing afterwards is expensive and risky.
Standard passwords or shared accounts: You're losing control and responsibility.
Create everyone's administrator: makes the impact of a mistake or hack much bigger.
Blindly rely on suppliers or building blocks: demand reports and build in checks.
Privacy sensitive data in log files: That could be a data breach in itself.

Security by design in your way of working

Start early and keep watching

Take safety into design decisions and continue to measure and adjust after live performance. Remember: Who owns it, how do we test it, and what do we do in case of an incident? This way, you not only move to the left (early in the process), but also hold the right grip (in control and use).

What are you building in your development street?

Human controls: peer reviews with a short checklist for safe choices.
Automatic checks: basic controls which find known risks and errors quickly before delivering.
Clear go/no-go moment: only live if agreed quality and safety criteria are met.
Keep looking at production: get warning signs if something deviates and know who is taking action.

Threats before thinking (without making it difficult)

You don't have to be a hacker to figure out how something could go wrong. Sign the main lines together: where does data come in, where does it leave your organisation, and who can get to it? Discuss what could go wrong and what simple measures remove most risks.

Practical approach

Draw the data streams: which systems are talking to each other and what is the outside limit?
Discuss what could go wrong: Think of deception (phishing), misuse of login data or errors in settings.
Make risks visible: How much damage does this happen and how often can it occur?
Choose measures: prevent where it can, quickly discover where it cannot, and repair with as little damage as possible.
Repeat on changes: update your overview if you add or modify something new.

Safe cooperation in the chain

You're as strong as the weakest link. You use libraries, containers, cloud, integration platforms and third-party services. Security by design means you make clear demands, ask for proof and record agreements.

Transparency in building blocks: Know what you're using and where it comes from.
Restrict is secure: do not use unnecessarily many dependencies or modules.
Cost-effective with the duty-free: a service or supplier shall only be given the strictly necessary.
Keys and caption: request relevant certifications/reports and record agreements in contract and SLA.

Dates and identity: the core of information security

What data is really sensitive?

Classify data: public, internal, confidential or strictly confidential – apply appropriate measures.
Collect less: The less you save, the less the risk and the cost.

Safely Send and Save

Encrypt as a rule: during shipping and storage, with good key management.
Access control in order: additional verification (such as an app code), rolling by function and periodically re-assessing who may.

Signal and act: Logging and incident response

Security by design does not stop at prevention. You want to see anomalies in time and know who takes what step.

Logs that help: centrally and structured to track what happens, without unnecessary privacy-sensitive details.
Warning signals: notifications for unusual logging in, unusual downloads or suspicious changes.
Clear roadmaps: short, practical steps per scenario (phishing, malware, abuse of an account or link).
Recover practice: Reset backups periodically and check that everything works.

Three identifiable cases

1. Link with financial package

A partner link gave wider access than necessary. By limiting access by task, slowing down peak traffic and keeping track of who does what, the risk decreased and auditing became easier.

2. IoT in the factory

Camera drives and sensors were still used by default passwords. By uniquely registering and providing devices with new strong admin passwords, checking updates and separating the IoT network from critical systems, the biggest risk disappeared.

Frameworks to focus on

ISO 27001/27002: Guidelines for a well-functioning information security dynamometer system (ISMS).
NIS2 principles: risk management, board member responsibility and rapid reporting in the event of serious incidents.
OWASP Hand-outs: practical checks to prevent common web and mobile errors.

Important: Choose what suits your organisation size and risk performance. Keep it workable.

Enter security by design in 6 steps

Make an overview: map systems, data, links and crown jewels.
Please agree draft principles: Think of minimal rights...
Build your projects in a way: Fixed checks before anything is allowed live, including last-minute security check.
Think ahead in scenarios: What if... and who decides? Record short maps.
Train and make it normal: product owners, developers and administrators know what you expect and why.
Measure and improve: Report periodically to management, practice, and adjust where necessary.

What do you measure to stay in control?

Time to discover and recover: How soon do you notice something and get back in the air?
Update speed: How long before important mistakes are solved?
Coverage: How many systems do your basic measures (such as additional verification or logging) apply?
Accessory feline hygiene: How many administrators are there and are allowances withdrawn on time?
Who discovered incidents: yourself or someone outside your organisation? That says something about your visibility.

Summary checklist security by design

Security requirements laid down in design and user stories (what is .good enough .to be allowed live?).
Overview of data flows and risks in critical apps and links is up-to-date.
Centrally login with additional verification; only necessary rights and periodic checks.
Default encryption during shipping and storage; key management arranged.
Method of operation in projects: fixed quality and security controls for livegang.
APIs and couplings limited: clear access, speed limits, only known formats allow, activity logging.
IoT separated on the network; no default passwords; updates checked.
Logging that helps and warns; short maps tested; Really put backups back up.
Suppliers' agreements on information security and goodbye (export and safe deletion) are fixed.
Regular reporting to management and practice .in peacetime .

Security by design: reliable and secure delivery

Organisations which security by design embracing, delivering faster and more reliable. Not because there is less attention to safety, but because information security and risk management are part of every choice from the start. In a world of IoT, SaaS and digital links, re-repairing .. is not really a sensible strategy. Start at the front, hold hold hold on and make safety the most normal thing in the world.

Do you want to ensure security by design in your projects and supply chain? Contact me.