When designing software, some aspects need to be taken into account. For example, usability, aesthetics, and functionalities. But that’s not all: data and privacy must also be guaranteed. This means that personal data must be protected at all times. So, here we explain why this is so important!
Data and privacy: how do they influence software development?
Taking care of data privacy in the IT world is not an option: it’s a necessity. Thanks to the current digital transformation, more and more companies are asking for an application, a website, or any online structure to provide services. And a common mistake is to believe that only speed and efficiency in software development matter.
The “security” factor must also be guaranteed at every stage of development. Otherwise, cybercriminals can take advantage of these weaknesses, not only to generate problems in work processes but also to steal sensitive data that can cost millions of dollars.
And this is something that can be worked on from one area in particular: DevSecOps. According to IBM, it is the abbreviation for Development, Security, and Operations. So, it is a working practice that seeks to integrate security into each of the operations of software development, to make applications and services much more reliable.
DevSecOps is a natural evolution in the way organizations approach security. Thanks to this approach, potential problems can be prevented. In other words, by devoting just a few minutes or hours to security, you can save weeks or months of remediation.
A clear example has been Amazon, which mentions that it makes more than 50 million changes a year in its applications. Each one of them invests only a few minutes or hours. However, it saves weeks or months of work, as it avoids major corrections. In this way, they reduce their security problems by 50%.
Similar is the case with PayPal. With more than 400 million accounts and millions of annual transactions, it is necessary to ensure security at scale in all applications. This not only avoids scams but also consolidates the company as one of the leaders in online payments.
Benefits of ensuring good data privacy in software
Now, what are the advantages of ensuring data privacy in software development? Read on and find out.
- Cost savings
Yes: cyber-attacks not only cause problems at the infrastructure level but can also result in millions of dollars in losses for companies. Due to lost productivity, remediation costs, and data breaches, companies can end up in crisis. For this reason, organizations can mitigate risks through the good development of each of their services.
But it is also necessary to delete these problems by backing up data in the cloud and distributing it across multiple servers. By ensuring that data is protected, cyber-attacks that cause financial crises can be avoided.
- Automation
This is one of the specific benefits of the DevSecOps model. Automated security tests and checks can start to become part of all development phases. This situation results in a remarkable benefit, which is none other than having a higher level of CI/CD system security.
Thanks to these tests, the code that passes to the next stage will have an adequate level of security. All this is done in an automated way, generating collaboration between all the people on the team. For this reason, the SDLC (System Development Life Cycle) is usually much more efficient.
- Transparency
Ensuring data security at every stage of software development also allows for clear objectives. When all privacy policies are clear and the software complies with the appropriate security protocols, realistic expectations about the launch of a service are generated.
For example, a common mistake is for companies to rush to launch software onto the market that has not been tested in terms of security. This situation can lead to a computer attack resulting in the theft of private information, which can generate losses in the millions of dollars. Here we work from the beginning to ensure stability.
The importance of continuous work on data privacy
Finally, you must know that no software will ever be 100% secure. Hackers work day after day to perfect their information theft techniques. For this reason, there is no way to guarantee the invulnerability of your services. However, you can minimize this probability.
The way to do this is as simple as it is effective: by working continuously. If you have a team specialized in computer security, they will be able to check that all privacy standards are being met. If not, the necessary repairs can be made to ensure that the code developed is secure.
That’s it! We hope this article on data and privacy in software development has been of interest to you.