Software Vulnerabilities and the Importance of Choosing A Quality Software Development Vendor

Guest Author: Jill Santos, Code Signing Store

The growth of technology in the last decade has been evident in each sector of society. Most, if not all, industries require the help of technology to function well. Industries such as agriculture, medicine, education, sports, media, and business have their kind of technology that can cater to their specific needs and preferences. These technologies run with software composed of programs, procedures, and routines that help a device operate.

Since software programs are synthetic, it is normal to encounter a few errors and glitches during its development process. This blog post will tell you more about what software vulnerabilities are and what causes them.

Next, you will learn about a few common software vulnerabilities and how to prevent them. Finally, this article will discuss the importance and considerations when choosing a quality software development vendor.

What is a Software Vulnerability?

A software vulnerability, also known as a security risk, is a glitch or error found in software. It can be an error in the code, a glitch in how it responds to specific commands, network flaws, operating system issues, or user management errors. These vulnerabilities are part of the development process, and they exist in all kinds of software since the development process is not perfect. However, it is possible to prevent and address these vulnerabilities through methods that will be discussed later in the article.

What Causes Software Vulnerabilities?

Software vulnerabilities can be caused by several factors. One example of this would be insecure coding practices wherein certain behaviors, policies, or habits can result in a vulnerable code. This could happen when developers are pressured by time to deliver a specific output or complete the process, which leads to compromising security.

Another possible factor is a threat landscape such as a broken algorithm that could be used by the developers unknowingly but is no longer suitable. Reusing vulnerable codes that have not been assessed for security could also lead to a software vulnerability. It is important to learn more about these possible causes to avoid potential security risks or software vulnerabilities.

Common Software Vulnerabilities & How to Prevent Them

The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), a non-profit organization, focuses on software security. Aside from having numerous open-source software development programs and toolkits, they also include a list of the top security risks or software vulnerabilities encountered by web applications as part of their project.

Here are some of the top software vulnerabilities according to OWASP and how you can prevent them:

Injection

This happens when invalid data is sent by the attacker to the application as part of a command. Then, the invalid data tricks the interpreter into executing a command the application isn’t programmed to do. This can be prevented by using a safe API that avoids the use of an interpreter.

Broken Authentication

This permits the attacker to use manual or automatic methods to access restricted control over any account in the system or even gain complete control. This can be prevented by implementing multi-factor authentication and establishing a strong password policy.

Sensitive Data Exposure

This can also be referred to as a breach, one of the most common software vulnerabilities. This happens when sensitive data such as credentials, credit card details, social security numbers, and other personal information has been compromised.

Through good security hygiene such as classifying processed, stored, and transmitted data, identifying sensitive data according to privacy laws, and requiring proper authentication, this risk can be prevented.

Importance of Choosing A Quality Software Development Vendor

Choosing a quality software development vendor is one of the things that will help your business succeed. Partnering with a software development vendor who is flexible and can accommodate and understand your needs helps the development process go smoothly.

The task of finding and choosing a quality software development vendor can be challenging but as long as you know what you’re looking for and what your business needs, you will surely find the right match.

What to Consider When Choosing A Quality Software Development Vendor

Before searching for the right software development vendor, it is essential for you to understand your needs, the goals you have for your software, and which functions and features you will require for the growth of your business.

Once you have established all of this, you may research and explore your options for software development vendors you want to partner with. To guide you in your search, here are a few things to consider when choosing a quality software development vendor:

Experience & Expertise - Try to do research and visit different websites of software development vendors. You should find out how much experience they have in the field of software development and what their expertise is. It is also helpful to review their portfolios to see the nature of the projects they have worked on in the past.

Flexibility - It is important to discover if the vendor can adjust the number of developers on the team based on the project’s need. This will not only help you adjust your costs but will also help you assess if the vendor is flexible enough to accommodate the needs of your business according to what it requires.

Pricing - Explore your options and evaluate which will be the most cost-effective and not just the cheapest option. The project’s budget will depend on the functions and features needed for your custom software, as well as the engagement model you choose.

Technology & Testing - Ask about the software development technologies they use and their characteristics to determine which ones you would like to utilize for your custom software. Testing is also another important factor to consider because it helps developers identify software vulnerabilities and repair them quickly.

Security Procedures - Vendors need to have security measures established at each level of their development. This is not confined to just physical security but includes networking security, database security, and those needed depending on the project.

Another thing to consider would be availing code signing certificates from a code signing store. These kinds of stores provide code signing certificates wherein developers attach their digital signature to the software or application that has been developed.

The purpose of a code signing certificate is to verify that the software has not been altered or modified after it has been signed. It increases the user’s trust and confidence since it assures them that the software is genuine and is from a reliable source.

To conclude

Addressing software vulnerabilities can be seen as a challenge for most developers since it is part of the development process. However, preventing and tackling these vulnerabilities are possible through the practices and suggestions mentioned above.

There are several things to consider when choosing a quality software development vendor. Reviewing these factors will help you when looking for and deciding on which software development vendor can best accommodate your needs and provide your business with the best quality of service available.