What is Application Security?

Starting a Career in Application Security and Secure Coding Training in 2024

‍

As we delve into the realm of "what is application security", it's pivotal to understand its growing significance in the tech industry. In 2024, starting a career in application security means embracing a field that is at the forefront of combating cyber threats. As per recent reports the  Cybersecurity certification provider ISC2, estimates that there are 1.5 million cybersecurity workers in North America, with a shortfall of 522,000 workers, which results in 74% of demand being met. These are indeed the best times to start the AppSec learning journey.

This leads us to our next question  "What is application security", if not the backbone of modern software development? It involves safeguarding applications from threats and vulnerabilities right from the design phase to deployment and beyond.

Secure coding training is an integral part of this journey. It equips aspiring AppSec professionals with the skills to write code that is not only functional but also secure. Understanding "what is application security" in the context of secure coding means recognizing the importance of incorporating security best practices into the coding process. This training is crucial in 2024, as the complexity of cyber threats continues to escalate, and the demand for secure applications becomes more pronounced.

‍

Trending areas of Application Security for 2024:

‍

1. Convergence of AppSec and CloudSec: This trend highlights the integration of application security (AppSec) with cloud security (CloudSec), ensuring a comprehensive approach to protecting both the application code and the cloud infrastructure where it resides

‍2. Security for Infrastructure as Code (IaC): As rapid application development and cloud deployments become more prevalent, securing Infrastructure as Code is gaining importance. This involves integrating static and dynamic testing into the CI/CD pipeline for better insight into application risks

‍3. Growing Adoption of Security Tools in CI/CD: The integration of advanced AppSec tools within the CI/CD pipeline is becoming more common, allowing for early detection and resolution of security issues in the development process‍

4. Integration of SAST and DAST: The merging of Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is a key trend. This integration helps in identifying vulnerabilities early in the application development lifecycle‍

5. Adoption of Automated AI Security Capabilities: As application security threats increase in volume and complexity, there's a growing trend towards using AI for automating security solutions. This helps in faster threat response and better management of security incidents.‍

6. DevSecOps: The philosophy of integrating security practices within the DevOps framework is gaining traction. This ensures that security is a priority from the initial stages of application development‍

7. Quantum Cryptography: With the advancement of quantum computing, there's a growing need for quantum-resistant encryption algorithms, making quantum cryptography a key area of focus‍

8. Automation in Vulnerability Management: The adoption of automated systems for vulnerability management is increasing, as these systems can detect and sometimes fix vulnerabilities with minimal human intervention‍

9. Privacy by Design: As data privacy regulations evolve, there's an increasing emphasis on incorporating privacy and data protection settings into products and services from the outset‍

10. Container Security: With the widespread use of containers in application deployment, specialized security for containers is becoming more important‍

11. Security in Serverless Architecture: Serverless architectures bring unique security challenges. New tools and strategies are being developed for securing serverless applications‍

12. Zero Trust Architecture: The Zero Trust model, which operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify," is increasingly being adopted by organizations to enhance application security‍

13. Shift Left Stalls: The "shift left" movement, which emphasizes early integration of security in the development process, is facing challenges due to a lack of security expertise in software development teams. This is leading to a renewed focus on top-down approaches like visibility and software development risk management‍

14. The SBOM Disillusionment: The overreliance on Software Composition Analysis (SCA) and Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for application security is being reconsidered, with a shift towards viewing these more as compliance tools rather than central cybersecurity strategies‍

15. The DAST Comeback: Despite being seen as cumbersome in the past, Dynamic Application Security Testing is experiencing a resurgence due to new guidelines and the need for continuous testing‍

16. Renewed Focus on API Security: With the proliferation of APIs, securing them is becoming increasingly crucial. This includes developing asset management programs for APIs and addressing security challenges in B2B interoperability

‍

Each of these trends represents a significant aspect of the evolving landscape of application security, underscoring the importance of staying informed and adaptable in this field.

To excel in this field, one must be proficient in various aspects of application security. This includes knowledge of security frameworks, threat modeling, and the ability to implement security measures in different stages of software development. "What is application security" in this scenario? It's a multidisciplinary approach that combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of the latest security trends and practices.

In summary, "what is application security" is a question with a multi-faceted answer. It's a challenging yet rewarding field, essential for the security of digital assets in our increasingly connected world. For those looking to start a career in application security and secure coding in 2024, the journey promises to be an exciting blend of learning, challenges, and significant contributions to the safety of the digital ecosystem.

‍

CheckOut AppSecEngineer’s plans and offerings to start your security learning journey!