Optimize Existing Applications for Security in an Untrusted World
Inject application security practices into development and maintenance cycles.
- Security is becoming increasingly important as apps become more distributed through APIs.
- Business risk is high because of the possibility of an information breach.
- Much of the current literature focuses on securing the network while code and data layers have received less attention.
Our Advice
Critical Insight
- Deriving the security gaps in your application data flow and code structure requires in-depth institutional knowledge that will pay off in future security initiatives.
- A cost/benefit analysis should not be perceived as an academic exercise; there may be situations where ROI does not support a critical initiative.
- Security is now an ongoing concern. Wrapping up a project for implementing security does not conclude the engagement, rather, it is a starting point.
Impact and Result
- Integrate industry standard best practices to build your application development security framework.
- Realize security pain points in your current applications and development process and build a framework around these gaps.
- Rollout and monitor application security initiatives.
Optimize Existing Applications for Security in an Untrusted World
1. Make the case for an application development security framework
Realize that many organizations suffer from security breaches. Use this toolkit to help you improve your alignment with security requirements.
2. Map the apps at risk
Understand Info-Tech’s Application Security Gap Assessment Framework.
3. Establish a risk profile
Assess the impacts of your gaps on your business and technical security requirements.
4. Fill your security gaps
Understand common secure application activities.
5. Roll out secure applications
Prioritize your rollout based on your organization’s prioritization profile.
6. Monitor the rollout
Summarize the rollout of your secure application activities.
Onsite Workshop: Optimize Existing Applications for Security in an Untrusted World
Onsite workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost onsite delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.
Module 1: Map the Applications at Risk
The Purpose
- Determine and map applications that are important to the business
- Identify security gaps
- Fill security gaps
Key Benefits Achieved
- Creation of relevant applications to consider
- Determination of security gaps for current implementation and subsequent injection into app dev process
- Optimization of budget to fix security gaps
Activities
Outputs
Identify valuable applications
- Shortlist of applications to consider
Draw data flow of applications
- Data flow map
Assess data flows for security gaps
- Vulnerability map
Gauge impact of security gaps
- ROI analysis
Select secure application activities to fill the gaps
- Project rollout plan
Prepare for rollout and monitoring
About Info-Tech
Info-Tech Research Group is the world’s fastest-growing information technology research and advisory company, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals.
We produce unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. We partner closely with IT teams to provide everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.
What Is a Blueprint?
A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your IT problems.
Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.
Need Extra Help?
Try Our Guided Implementations
Get the help you need in this 1-phase advisory process. You'll receive 5 touchpoints with our researchers, all included in your membership.
- Call #1 - Map the apps at risk
Map the data flow of the high value applications, highlighting significant security gaps and issues. Our Analysts will discuss the fit of your existing security framework on your application portfolio.
- Call #2 - Establish a risk profile
Fill out the "2. Gap Documentation" and "Security Assessment" tabs and the “Costs of Fixing Security Breaches With Existing Gaps” table in the Secure Application Rollout Tool.
- Call #3 - Fill your security gaps
Evaluate the cost and impact of each practice that can improve application security. Our Analysts will discuss current and emerging application and data security best practices.
- Call #4 - Roll out secure applications
Complete a prioritization profile and creating a project dependency map. Our Analysts will evaluate your priority ranking and discuss potential risks.
- Call #5 - Monitor the rollout
Document actual costs and unexpected impacts. Our Analysts will discuss the impacts and share ways to optimize cost estimation and security monitoring.