Banks now let users verify their identity via Blockchain apps. Sure, you’re thinking, “But is this actually safe?”

Blockchain is pretty safe, but what’s behind all of the hype is something called secure design. This is what makes those kinds of Blockchain apps truly safe.

Secure by design essentially refers to the idea that the safety and security of an application or even a website begin in the design stage.

Find out what core principles that security design embodies and how that affects you.

Security by Design and the OWASP

OWASP stands for Open Web Application Security Project.

While they’re not the first to think about network security design, they’re responsible for developing the “official” OWASP Security by Design Principles.

What’s important about this is that it’s the first time that a group of developers and IT security individuals have really been able to gather together in order to:

• Understand what kind of data is at risk in the modern-day digital world.
• Learn to reduce the risk of a cyber attack on any kind of application or website.

Not only that — it has given developers and designers more clarity while organizing their workflow on the backend, starting with the design phase.

Breaking Down the Security Design Principles

There are four main security design principles. Understanding each one can help you ensure that you know where your application stands in terms of security and risk.

Asset Clarification

The first stage begins with identifying the application and classifying it. Why? A financial application requires a lot more security than a gaming app.

An experienced developer should create various levels of security controls depending on the amount of risk that the data carries with it.

Understanding Attackers

Designers and developers should be able to think about the potential attacks and threats that any website or application might face.

Usually, developers use this strategy in order to prevent employees or programmers from accessing sensitive company data.

Core Pillars of Information Security

This refers to the idea that any designer should design any app with the following information security issues in mind:

• Confidentiality
• Integrity
• Availability

In general, this helps ensure that only approved users can access data and it isn’t at risk of being altered or destroyed.

Security Architecture

This principle is to ensure that a developer is asking the right question at each stage of the design process.

According to the OWASP, this includes asking themselves questions such as whether or not the feature is as safe as it can possibly be.

This actually promotes “evil thinking,” which allows a developer to think about how someone would abuse any features and create a threat. If they can think in that manner, then they can develop a safe app.

Putting Security Design to Good Use

Security design works when you have an experienced team of developers on your side who know how to implement the principles at every step of the design phase.

If you currently have an app or website or are thinking about developing one, then it’s important to consider how this kind of forward-thinking can help you in the long-run.

Ready to start weaving security design into the frameworks of your technology company? Contact us to get started.