How to Apply Security by Design to Your Systems

Have you ever thought about how the concept of Security by Design can aid information security in our current technological landscape? Especially with the new data privacy regulations?

With the rise of cybersecurity incidents, data breaches have influenced a shift in companies' approaches. Many are moving from a reactive stance to a proactive one, anticipating attacks or data breaches by adopting proactive practices such as Security by Design.

Aligned with this context, the implementation of security measures by design allows security flaws to be addressed more effectively than relying on final testing.

Follow along and understand how the concept of Security by Design can be applied and what its main characteristics are.

What is Security by Design?

In simple terms, the key idea of Security by Design is to change the process flow. Instead of testing software security only when it's ready, information security is incorporated into the process from the beginning.

This approach reduces costs and mitigates risks—addressing issues early on drastically reduces time and monetary expenses.

Moreover, the pressure on time and budget is particularly intense at the end of the development process, making it an unfavorable time for adjustments. Security by Design results in a more resilient system, where security is integrated rather than added as a final fix.

Why should we worry about security from the start of a project?

Now that you understand the concept of Security by Design, it's important to know why adopting it within your business is crucial.

Today, many companies operate remotely, accessing private platforms over public networks. Some connect to cloud environments to store information or aim to launch their own mobile apps to stay updated.

But if these applications are not designed to be secure from the start, the risks that can impact the business multiply.

Want a practical example? In 2020, Brazilian companies were required to comply with and be legally responsible for securing their customers' sensitive information—under the now well-known Law No. 13,709, named LGPD (General Data Protection Law).

Imagine a company collecting sensitive data (such as names, tax IDs, and personal addresses) through an online system that has an architectural vulnerability, allowing a malicious actor to intercept traffic and steal data.

This scenario is certainly still alarming, but companies should already be taking preventive steps by adopting information security technologies and creating secure systems and applications from the development stage.

Now that we’ve navigated through the theoretical aspects of this concept and understand what Security by Design is, let’s move on to its practical application. Follow along!

5 Basic Principles of Security by Design

1. Minimizing Attack SurfacesThis principle is used to restrict the functions users are permitted to access, helping to reduce vulnerabilities.By integrating protection tools already part of the system, it's possible to develop an ecosystem for real-time monitoring and corrections. Some measures to reduce the attack surface in servers and systems include:
   • Implementation and configuration of a firewall solution
   • Secure development
   • Monitoring of server input and output
   • Developing backup resources for servers and workstations
2. Well-Established Security StandardsHigh security standards need to be assigned during the development phase.Therefore, standardization is essential for designing security intelligently, as it enables the creation of more efficient, reliable, and even cost-effective solutions.By adopting stricter security standards, applications become more secure and adaptable to continuous improvements.
3. Failing SecurelyFailures should not compromise security or expose critical information.However, if failures occur, there is the concept of "failing safely" and "failing quickly." Failure and error messages should be presented as early as possible, preventing them from happening at critical moments. Additionally, exposed information in an error log, for instance, should be carefully filtered.
4. Segregation of DutiesRemember we talked about security standardization earlier? How the entire ecosystem must be aligned?Roles and responsibilities should not diverge from this. Access control, whether based on a user’s activity or role within the system, should be well-aligned, monitored, and segregated.Using a role-based access profile (or RBAC – Role-Based Access Control) provides a model to manage access privileges to a company’s systems and infrastructure. A role-based profile groups access, offering an overview of privileges and securely controlling access for Security by Design.Implementing a separation of duties process may include:
   • Defining segregation of duties rules applicable to the environment
   • Creating a risk matrix
   • Risk analysis to identify segregation of duty violations
   • Analysis of conflicting activities performed by alternative users
   • Resolution of high-risk conflicts
5. Well-Established Security StandardsStrong security solutions need to be adopted. After all, hiding vulnerabilities should not be considered an acceptable approach.Thus, security must be easily identified and understood by users, avoiding unnecessary complexity.It’s also worth noting that during the early implementation of Security by Design, it’s common to use tools, processes, and controls to assist in securing systems. However, it's essential to reflect on the relevance of these controls—do they add more security or bureaucracy to the systems?Too many tools can increase security gaps rather than eliminate them, just as poorly documented procedures or lack of automation can leave users waiting too long for access.Adopting a simple and well-established security process involves:
   • Understanding that system security isn't just about technology. There are policies, processes, and people. Aim for a proactive stance, not just ticking off checklists.
   • Investing in training and educating development teams in best practices and informing all stakeholders about system changes.
   • Understanding the fundamental concepts of information security and finding tools and controls suited to the system’s structure.

How to Apply Security by Design

The application begins with choosing a work model and understanding how to use it correctly.

One out of three vulnerabilities found is due to poor security requirement management within a software project. Understanding system vulnerabilities and making the necessary corrections is crucial.