Securing applications and infrastructure earlier in the development lifecycle.
Explore Exposure CommandShift left security is the moving of security considerations and testing from the later stages (right) to earlier stages (left) in this process. The term "shift left" comes from the traditional visualization of the software development lifecycle as a linear progression moving from left to right - from planning and design through development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
In the context of cybersecurity and modern DevOps practices, shift left security represents a fundamental change in how organizations approach security. Instead of conducting security testing and implementing security measures near the end of development or after deployment, these activities are integrated throughout the development process, starting from the earliest stages.
This approach aligns closely with DevSecOps principles, where security is treated as a shared responsibility across development, operations, and security teams. By incorporating security early and often, organizations can identify and address potential vulnerabilities and security issues when they are easier and less expensive to fix.
The implementation of shift left security involves several key processes and changes to traditional development approaches:
Organizations that adopt a shift left security approach experience numerous advantages that extend beyond improved security outcomes. By integrating security early in the development process, companies can realize benefits across multiple dimensions of their operations, from financial performance to team dynamics. Here are the key advantages of implementing shift left security:
Finding and fixing security issues early in development is significantly less expensive than addressing them after deployment. Organizations that implement shift left security typically see reduced needs for extensive security retrofitting and emergency patches. This proactive approach also leads to a lower risk of security breaches and their associated costs, including potential damages, legal fees, and reputation recovery expenses.
When security is shifted left, organizations benefit from earlier threat detection and remediation of potential vulnerabilities. This approach enables more comprehensive security coverage throughout the application lifecycle, as security controls are integrated into the application architecture from the beginning. The result is a more robust and resilient security posture that can better withstand modern cyber attacks.
By incorporating security early in the development process, teams experience faster development cycles with fewer security-related delays. This integration naturally reduces friction between development and security teams, as security becomes a shared responsibility rather than a bottleneck. Organizations also benefit from more efficient use of security resources and expertise, as security professionals can focus on strategic initiatives rather than constant firefighting.
Shift left security makes it easier to maintain compliance with security regulations and standards, as security controls are built into the development process rather than added as afterthoughts. Organizations can better document security measures throughout development and demonstrate their security controls to auditors more effectively. This proactive approach to compliance can save significant time and resources during audits and assessments.
Modern shift left security relies on various tools and technologies to implement security testing and controls throughout the development process. Each tool serves a specific purpose in the security pipeline, working together to create a comprehensive approach. Here are the key tools that enable effective shift left security:
SAST tools analyze source code for security vulnerabilities before the application is running. By scanning code during development, these tools help identify potential security issues early in the lifecycle. SAST integrates directly into development environments, allowing developers to catch and fix security problems as they write code, making it an essential component of the shift left approach.
DAST tools test running applications by simulating real-world attacks to identify security vulnerabilities. These tools are particularly effective at finding issues that only become apparent when the application is in operation. By identifying runtime security issues, DAST provides crucial insights into how an application behaves under actual attack conditions.
IAST combines the best aspects of both static and dynamic testing approaches. By providing real-time security feedback during testing, it offers more accurate vulnerability detection than either method alone. This hybrid approach helps teams identify security issues more efficiently and with fewer false positives than traditional testing methods.
RASP technology protects applications during runtime by detecting and blocking attacks in real-time. These tools provide detailed security telemetry that helps teams understand and respond to threats as they emerge. RASP serves as a crucial last line of defense, protecting applications even when other security measures might miss a vulnerability.
SCA tools focus on identifying security issues in third-party components and dependencies. By monitoring the security of external code and libraries, these tools help ensure vendor and third party security and protect against supply chain attacks. SCA is particularly important in modern development, where applications often rely heavily on open-source components and external dependencies.
WAFs protects web applications by filtering malicious traffic and providing real-time threat protection. These tools act as a shield between your application and potential attackers, blocking common attack patterns and suspicious behavior. WAFs are essential for protecting applications in production while teams work to address underlying security issues.
The successful implementation of shift left security requires a strategic approach and commitment from across the organization. Organizations should consider these essential best practices when shifting security left:
Shift left security represents a crucial evolution in how organizations approach application security. By integrating security earlier in the development process, organizations can build secure applications more efficiently and cost-effectively.
While implementing shift left security requires significant changes to traditional development practices, the benefits in terms of improved security, reduced costs, and enhanced efficiency make it a worthwhile investment for modern organizations.