9 Web Application Security Measures

9 Web Application Security Measures Businesses Should Follow For Top Security

Every year, the number of cybercrime and hacking cases are growing as it is becoming more profitable. Hacking and security breach cases are being reported in companies around the world. These companies not just face monetary losses but it also spoils their brand reputation. For a website owner, the importance of online security is more because they have their ducks in rows. However, there hasn’t been enough done enough to secure a web application(s).

In the case of the security system, there is no guarantee for 100% security as unforeseen circumstances may occur. However, by taking multiple steps companies can reduce the chance of running into web application security problems. In this blog post, let’s see some of the particularly important web application security measures to keep in mind while securing their web applications:

Create a Security Blueprint for Web Application

It is impossible to stay on top of web application security without having a proper plan in place. Most companies fail to do so and take a disorganized approach to the situation only to end up accomplishing next to nothing. Develop a detailed and actionable web application security plan with the help of your IT security team and outline business goals.

The plan should also prioritize applications that need to be secured first and the procedure in which they will be tested. This can be done manually, through a cloud solution, through a managed service provider, through a software on-site, or some other means.

In the case of large organizations, the blueprint should also contain the names of the individuals involved in maintaining web application security. Finally, it should also factor in costs that will incur to the organization by engaging in these activities.

Back-up Website Data

Backing up website information is crucial. This can help in case of malware infection or security breach as a business will just need to restore the web app and access their previously store information. After the crises retrieving data can be more expensive than initial investment therefore return data as much as possible.

Scan your Website for Vulnerabilities

Security scans and checks should be mandatory and done at regular intervals to keep the security of web applications on top. There are two types of scanners available pattern-based and heuristic. In the case of cyber attacks, malware is usually engineered in such a way that they become invisible to scanners.

Additionally, some security scanners can find malware better than others while some struggle with false positives. Many such scanners do not work at all but you should still learn about the security flaws & weaknesses of your web applications.

Effectively Strategize your Remediation Operations

In recent years, software breach has been on the rise and shows no signs of giving up anytime soon. This simple means before hiring a web development company you have to weed out any security flaws in your web apps. There should be a threat assessment based on the severity of the vulnerability. A smart strategy will always prioritize pressure apprehensions in the first place. After it takes into account different factors it will leave those with comparatively low risk.

Website Security Awareness Training

In business, there are only a few people that have a decent grasp of the importance of web application security. Others either have the most basic knowledge of the issue or nothing at all. This can make them careless which in turn can be problematic as such users fail to identify various security risks.
Educating staff and employees will enable them to spot vulnerabilities themselves.

This will speed up all web application security as everyone will be involved in finding and removing security vulnerabilities. Getting all the staff on board will make sure that they know what to do in case they encounter any software security vulnerability or any other problems.

Encrypt all Crucial Website Data

Encryption all crucial data can make your information safe from hackers and cyber criminals. IDs and passwords for users and other sources of information provide a safety net from attacks. Additionally, other than encrypting the system business should also encrypt their backup data.

Automate and Integrate Security Tools

Previously, security teams used security solutions manually. However, in the current security landscape, this approach might not be optimal. Similar to the IT industry, the most efficient security processes are automated and integrated. Security tools developed today are automated and integrated. For example, vulnerability scanners that are integrated with other systems such as issue trackers and CI/CD platforms.

There are several advantages to such an approach such as less manual work, the less room for error, issues can be found and eliminated much earlier, saves time and makes remediation easy, as security tools work with other solutions such as issue trackers, issues can be treated as any other issue, and engineers and managers don’t waste time learning and using separate tools.

Use Diverse Security Measures

There is no single tool that can be perceived as an only measure to guarantee complete safety. Hence, businesses should implement multiple aspects of web security. Though a vulnerability scanner is a key tool, however, it will not be able to discover all logical errors. Hence, vulnerability scanning should not be treated as a replacement for penetration testing.

To fully secure web servers, businesses need to combine vulnerability scanning with network scanning. There are even multiple vulnerability scanners available that are integrated with network security scanners. Such scanners can do the two activities simultaneously. Additionally, vulnerability scanners based on IAST or DAST technologies, businesses can choose to use a SAST tool in the early stages.

Businesses can also use a WAF band-aid tool that eliminates potential attack vectors as it is the best way to handle zero-day vulnerabilities. Businesses should use diverse security measures, however, they should not believe that purchasing a single tool or completely relying on the security team will solve the problem. These security measures must be integrated with the business environment and automated.

Maintain a Bounty Program

Many security professionals prefer working as freelancers rather than being hired either full-time or on a project basis. Losing such outstanding expertise is a huge waste as a business can use such valuable resources by establishing a bounty program. Though some businesses perceive it as a risky investment, it pays off in the longer run.

Additionally, it increases a brand’s respect in the hacking community and the general brand perception. If a business has a bounty program and treats security experts fairly then the brand is perceived as mature. Such perception can be more strengthen by publicly disclosing bounty program payoffs and sharing information about security vulnerability and data breaches.

Conclusion

In this blog, various points have been covered on security measured that needed to be followed to enhance the security level of the website. A vulnerable website can be damaging to any organization and can impact in terms of both monetary loss and reputation loss. Businesses can hire a web development company who effectively follows crucial security guidelines before delivering the website. However, businesses can never rely on just one security measure or tool so they can also take the above-mentioned measures to protect your web applications from hackers.