A cloud-based application security assessment (or ASA) is a systematic evaluation to identify vulnerabilities and improve security in cloud applications. It aims to ensure the application’s structural, design, and operational integrity against all cyber threats. A staggering 82% of data breaches in 2023 involved data stored in the cloud.

The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is a new cybersecurity regulation that aims to ensure the security of “products with digital elements” (PDEs) sold in the EU market.

Web applications serve as the backbone of business operations, and the rise in cyber threats has put a spotlight on vulnerabilities that can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of web applications. But where to start? Security frameworks can help security and development teams understand the top risks and how to harden their applications against them, while guiding technical professionals on how to protect their applications against attacks.

Containers are integral to modern application development portability, resource efficiency, and ease of deployment. But there is a flip side to these benefits. Unlike traditional applications, containers bundle everything needed to run, making them a scattered setup for hidden security issues. 54% of container images in Docker Hub were found to contain sensitive information that could lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, or identity theft.

A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) inventories all of the open source components and other third-party libraries within a codebase. Much like IKEA instructions explain which parts are included in the package for your new furniture, an SBOM describes all of the third party components in your codebase. Most SBOMs contain the following information about the make-up of an application: Security vulnerabilities: a key use case for SBOM is understanding the security risks of third party components.

As cybersecurity becomes increasingly important in software development, the “shift left” security approach is widely recognized as a best practice for ensuring superior application security. Numerous traditional security firms are introducing shift-left products and capabilities, and the concept is gaining traction. However, some open source application security tools are more developer-friendly than others.

In the race for technological innovation, companies often sprint toward product launches but find themselves in a marathon when fixing vulnerabilities. This dichotomy poses a significant challenge, especially with the ever-increasing security loopholes. CISA recommends addressing critical issues in less than 15 days, but it may be wishful thinking. IT teams are inundated with an ever-increasing volume of security alerts, making it challenging to prioritize and address each one effectively.

Cloud workloads continue to grow as new digital innovations arise monthly in the worlds of IoT applications, cloud services, and big data analytics. However, the cloud's dynamic and often complex nature can make cloud application security challenging. This gap in cloud security readiness is a growing concern for organizations worldwide, with CISOs feeling the pressure. 61% of CISOs feel unequipped to cope with a targeted attack, and 68% expect such an attack within the following year.

Developers are responsible for mitigating risk of web applications through secure software development. This requires a culture of secure software development, which can be promoted with tactics that engage developers in the security process.

In the famous book “Code Complete,” published by Microsoft Press, author Steve McConnel emphasized the importance of writing code for people first and computers second for better code readability. This was in 1993, when cyber attacks were practically non-existent. Fast forward to 2023, we have a greater challenge: writing code for tackling hackers first and users second.  This challenge is compounded by the rise of cybersecurity incidents due to security vulnerabilities in code.