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Bridging the Gap in the Security Knowledge of Developers

developer training for secure coding

With the rising need for better technology and digital touchpoints, consumer expectations for privacy and security are also increasing. Unfortunately, security isn’t always a priority for businesses since releasing new products or features gets more focus.

For developers, writing functional code and timely delivery takes precedence over anything else. Security is usually an afterthought despite data breaches becoming more common and expensive.

So why don’t developers focus enough on software security?

In a Veracode survey, a large majority (70 percent) of IT and development professionals said that they don’t get adequate application security training while 86 percent said their organizations don’t invest enough in training. 

When it comes to undergraduate degrees in the U.S., only one in the top 24 computer science programs requires students to take a course in application security. 

Without any training or education, it’s impossible for developers to integrate security into development. This is why developers rely on the results of vulnerability scanners to return flaws and spend their precious time on remediation. Instead, security should be integrated into the development process so that developers don’t have to worry about fixing vulnerabilities.

Only when developers are trained on secure coding, they can build security into software instead of testing for security at the end of the development lifecycle. 

How can developers become secure coding experts?

As a developer if you’re being assessed on your ability to deliver software on time, you’re bound to focus on deadlines. It’s not easy to choose between meeting deadlines and integrating security which takes time.

Security training can help significantly, but only if it’s designed keeping in mind the needs of developers. So how can application security training be made more effective?

  • Traditional learning techniques are not as effective when it comes to retaining knowledge. That’s why learning while coding, or just-in-time training, works better as you can implement your knowledge right away.

  • Security threats evolve with time, so an annual training workshop can’t make you a secure coding expert. Instead, security training should be available to you for learning at your convenience.

  • Building a security culture also makes a huge difference to secure software development. It starts with identifying security champions who can promote application security practices that will help you to think about security as an integral part of coding.

When developers get relevant training while writing code, it ensures maximum retention. Just-in-time training negates the drawbacks of traditional learning methodologies. While security training is delivered to prevent breaches, it also greatly reduces the burden of remediation on developers.

SD Elements, our flagship solution, offers just-in-time training specific to your technology stack and deployment environment. Our content library is updated regularly and includes modules for new threats and vulnerabilities.