Enhance Agile security with 10 crucial cybersecurity steps for development teams

The agile project management methodology places a high importance on connection, communication, and collaboration. Here are a few recommendations for maintaining robust agile security. In the very competitive business world of today, firms must react quickly and continue to be inventive. As a result, at least 80% of firms now use an agile development methodology. Unfortunately, if the software lifecycle processes are not safe, this increased development pace opens up several vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. So, how can organizations improve the security of their agile development practices? These are the 10 steps to cyber security in agile development.

1. Risk Management Regime:

To ensure the security of an organization's information and systems, it's crucial to establish a well-defined risk management regime. This should have the full support of the board and senior managers. All employees, contractors, and suppliers should be well-versed in the organization's risk management approach and any associated boundaries.

2. User Education and Awareness:

Users play a pivotal role in an organization's security posture. Educating staff about potential cyber risks is essential to enable them to perform their duties effectively while contributing to overall security. When users are aware of cybersecurity best practices and potential threats, they become an integral part of the organization's defense against cyberattacks.

 3. Network Security:

Networks linking an organization to the Internet and partner networks expose systems and technologies to potential threats. Implementing straightforward policies, along with suitable architectural and technical responses, can reduce the likelihood of attacks. In today's environment, where remote working, mobile devices, and cloud services are prevalent, it's essential to consider where data is stored and processed to fortify security.

4. Managing User Privileges:

Granting users excessive system privileges and data access rights can elevate the risk of misuse or compromise. It's crucial to provide all users with the minimum system privileges and rights necessary for their roles, following the "least privilege" principle. Highly elevated system privileges should be subject to careful control and management.

5. Secure Configuration:

The identification of baseline technology builds and processes is essential for effective configuration management, enhancing overall system security. Developing a strategy to eliminate unnecessary system functionalities and promptly addressing known vulnerabilities through patching is vital. Neglecting these aspects can significantly increase the risk of system and information compromise.

6. Incident Management:

Every organization will face security incidents at some point. To enhance resilience, ensure business continuity, bolster stakeholder confidence, and minimize impacts, invest in robust incident management policies and processes. Identify trusted sources, internal or external, for specialized incident management expertise.

7. Malware Prevention:

Malware can infect the system of an organization in a variety of ways. It might be inserted into a work computer via a removable device, sent as an email attachment, or spread as a worm through a security hole.

Organizations should adopt anti-malware software and procedures that help guard against employee exposure to the threat to reduce these risks.

8. Monitoring:

Effective system monitoring is crucial for promptly detecting and responding to actual or attempted attacks on systems and business services. It also ensures compliance with organizational policies and legal/regulatory requirements.

9. Removable Media Controls:

USBs and other detachable devices cause numerous security problems. In addition to frequently being used to inject malware, they also often result in insider events. Employees frequently lose removable devices, or they are left hooked into computers where unauthorized parties might access them.

10. Home and Mobile Working:

Embracing mobile and remote work offers numerous benefits but introduces new security risks. Develop risk-based policies and procedures that support secure mobile and remote access, tailored to users and service providers. Provide training to users on safe mobile device usage in various work environments.