Secure Software Life Cycle

Implementation and management of Secure Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Security is always about foresight. The further you look into the future, the more methodology is needed. We help you to establish a structured system development methodology. It applies to all types of business applications and related technical infrastructure.

infographic - SDLC

The system development methodology is supported by specialised, segregated development environments and involves a quality assurance process:

serviceSystem Development Methodology
Development activities should be conducted while adhering to a documented system development methodology to ensure that systems (including those under development) meet business and information security requirements.
serviceSystem Development Environments
System development activities should be performed in specialised development environments, which are isolated from the live and testing environments, and protected against unauthorised access to provide a secure development process, and avoid any disruption to business activity.
serviceQuality Assurance
Quality assurance of key security activities should be performed at each stage of the system development lifecycle to assure that the security requirements are defined adequately, agreed security controls are developed, and security requirements are met.
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How to apply it?

  • Develop business applications and services in accordance with an approved system development lifecycle. It includes applying industry best practices such as ISO, NIST, ISF SoGP, OWASP (ASVS, SAMM, etc.), CIS, vendors’ methodologies (Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, etc.) and other security frameworks
  • Verify the application’s security according to the ASVS, and receive certificates that guarantee the security of your application.
  • Teach your software architects, developers and testers to manage information security at every stage of the system life cycle:

Specifications of Requirements > System Design > Software Acquisition and Coding > System Build > System Testing > Security Testing > System Promotion > Installation Process > Post-implementation Review > System Decommission


Results

  1. Guides for secure management of software development tailored to your company’s application development and coding culture.
  2. Security architecture of products and solutions.
  3. Security controls at all stages of the software development lifecycle, in accordance with internal standards and customer methodologies, as well as international standards and best practices.
  4. Quick and efficient response to emerging application security issues and challenges.

Business value

  • Security and quality of client applications, solutions and products.
  • Correct and mature organization of software development projects, including control and monitoring of the development process.
  • Reduced risk of unanticipated software development and support costs due to clear security requirements and architectural design. This leads to a reduction in production scrap and rework.
  • Increased security awareness and the establishment of a mature security culture for software development projects.

Service summary

⏳ Duration of project

Several weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the software being developed, the size of the development team, and the level of security required.

🎁 Can it be free or have a testing period?

Use free vulnerability scanners, e.g. https://service.h-x.technology/scan and get a free consultation.

💼 What type of business needs it?

Software developers, especially handling sensitive data or operating in regulated industries, such as finance, healthcare, or government.

💡 When is this service needed?

When your products require a high level of security, especially if they handle sensitive data, interact with critical systems, or are exposed to potential threats.

📈 Your profit

Reduced risk of security breaches and associated costs, improved compliance requirements and your reputation as a trusted provider of secure software.

⚙️ Our methods and tools

Threat modeling, code review and analysis, penetration testing, secure coding practices, security testing, continuous integration and delivery, etc.

📑 Deliverables

Threat models, security requirements and architecture, secure coding, installation and configuration standards and guidelines, security audit, pentest and risk assessment reports, etc.

Check out our additional services and business cases. Send the form below to request secure development lifecycle services. Get a free consultation.

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FAQ

SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) is a structured process used by software development teams to design, develop, test, and deploy high-quality software. It consists of several phases that outline the steps developers take to create software:

  • Planning
  • Analysis
  • Design
  • Development
  • Testing
  • Deployment
  • Maintenance

The SDLC's purpose is to:

  • Ensure efficient and effective software development
  • Meet stakeholder needs
  • Provide a framework for managing the entire process from idea to delivery
  • Produce reliable, maintainable, and scalable software

The first step of the SDLC is the planning phase. During this crucial stage:

  • The development team collaborates with stakeholders to understand requirements and goals
  • The project scope is determined
  • Deliverables are defined
  • A project plan outlining the timeline and required resources is created

This phase sets the foundation for the entire development process, ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs. Deliverables may include:

  • Project charter
  • Requirements document
  • Feasibility study
  • Project plan
  • Risk management plan

The Secure Software Development Life Cycle (SSDLC) is an extension of the traditional SDLC that incorporates security practices and considerations at every phase of the development process. It aims to create secure and robust software systems by:

  • Integrating security into each SDLC stage
  • Identifying and addressing security risks and vulnerabilities throughout development
  • Preventing security issues rather than patching them post-deployment

SSDLC practices include:

  • Threat modeling
  • Code review
  • Security testing
  • Security training for developers

Benefits of SSDLC:

  • Time and resource savings
  • Reduced likelihood of costly security breaches
  • Meeting stakeholder security requirements
  • Protection against potential security threats

SDLC and Scrum are distinct approaches to software development:

  • Methodology:
    • SDLC: Linear, step-by-step approach with sequential phases
    • Scrum: Iterative and incremental approach with small, iterative cycles
  • Requirements:
    • SDLC: Defined at the beginning and remain relatively fixed
    • Scrum: Continually refined and prioritized, subject to change
  • Roles:
    • SDLC: Fixed roles with clear lines of responsibility
    • Scrum: Collaborative roles with shared responsibility
  • Planning:
    • SDLC: Comprehensive planning at project start
    • Scrum: Flexible planning at the beginning of each sprint
  • Delivery:
    • SDLC: Final product delivered after all phases are completed
    • Scrum: Potentially releasable increment delivered at the end of each sprint

These differences highlight the contrasting approaches of SDLC's structured, linear process and Scrum's flexible, iterative methodology.

The number of steps in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) can vary depending on the methodology or framework used. However, the typical SDLC process consists of six phases:

  • Planning: In this phase, the team defines the project's scope, objectives, and requirements, and creates a project plan and schedule.
  • Analysis: The team conducts a detailed analysis of the project requirements and gathers information to create a software design specification.
  • Design: The team develops the software architecture, design, and specifications based on the analysis conducted in the previous phase.
  • Implementation: The team begins coding and developing the software according to the specifications created in the design phase.
  • Testing: This phase involves verifying that the software functions correctly and meets the specified requirements.
  • Maintenance: The final phase involves ongoing maintenance and support of the software after deployment.

These phases may overlap, and iterations or repetitions within each phase can occur. While the number and names of the phases may vary, the overall purpose of each phase is to ensure efficient and effective software development that meets stakeholders' needs.

The implementation phase of the SDLC provides the completed system. This phase involves the actual coding and development of the software based on the specifications created in the design phase. It includes several sub-phases such as coding, testing, debugging, and integration.

During implementation, the software development team converts design documents into working software. They write code, create databases, and build user interfaces, among other activities. Once coding is completed, the team conducts various tests to ensure the software functions correctly, meets specified requirements, and is free of errors and bugs.

At the end of the implementation phase, the completed system is delivered to the testing team for further evaluation. Once the software passes all tests and receives approval, it can be deployed for end-user use. However, the maintenance phase, which follows deployment, is also critical, as it involves ongoing support and updates to ensure the software continues to meet users' needs.

The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a process used by software development teams to create software systems. While the exact steps can vary depending on the methodology or framework used, the following outlines the general phases involved:

  • Planning: Define the project's scope, objectives, and requirements; create a project plan and schedule.
  • Analysis: Conduct a detailed analysis of project requirements and gather information to create a software design specification.
  • Design: Develop the software architecture, design, and specifications based on the analysis from the previous phase.
  • Implementation: Code and develop the software based on the design specifications. This phase includes coding, testing, debugging, and integration.
  • Testing: Verify that the software functions correctly and meets specified requirements. Testing can include unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing.
  • Deployment: Release the software and make it available to end-users.
  • Maintenance: Provide ongoing support and maintenance after deployment, including bug fixes, updates, and upgrades.

Business cases of projects we completed

Audit of smart contracts and blockchain
Business Automation
Information security incident response and investigation
Managed security and compliance (ISO 27001, etc.)
Security analysis of software source code
Security assessment: audits and penetration tests
Security Operations Center cases