The software development process is one with strict deadlines. The pace of innovation does not slow down. Because of this, developers often find themselves frustration as they try to ensure that the product they’re producing delivers on customer expectations, while also limiting vulnerabilities. The balancing act between product security and meeting the needs of a time crunch can lead to a product being rushed to the market, leaving it vulnerable to unpatched exploits.

Application developers have always had a tricky balance to maintain between speed and security, two requirements that may often feel at odds with each other. Practices that increase speed also pressure development teams to ensure that vulnerable code is identified and remediated without slowing development. As companies embrace digital transformation initiatives, the need to weave better security into developers’ workflows has only grown clearer.

The rising number of cyber attacks against software applications has emphasized how security must serve as an important factor in software development. More than the traditional Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) procedures, now security-integrated development lifecycles are being widely adapted. These aren’t the typical security assessments that are performed at the very end of development of the application, but embedded throughout the lifecycle.