• November 18, 2024October 28, 2024
• Betterleg Studios

Series A Ready: Part 3

Welcome back to our series geared to help you prepare your company’s security and compliance programs for fundraising activities. Check out Part 1 & Part 2 of the series and stay tuned for Part 4, coming to the Betterleg Blog shortly.

3. Series A Ready: Secure SDLC and Open Source

As your company grows, security must be embedded into your Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Investors want to know that your code is secure, and that you’re managing the risks associated with using open-source software (OSS). Secure SDLC practices and proper OSS management will demonstrate to investors that your company takes security seriously and is prepared for growth.

The Importance of a Secure SDLC

A secure SDLC integrates security at every phase of software development—from design to deployment. This proactive approach minimizes vulnerabilities and ensures that security isn’t an afterthought. It also helps reduce the cost and impact of security issues later in the development process.

Best Practices for a Secure SDLC

• Static and Dynamic Code Analysis: Regularly scan your code for vulnerabilities during development using static (SAST) and dynamic (DAST) analysis tools.
• Automated Security Testing: Integrate security tests into your CI/CD pipeline to catch vulnerabilities before they reach production.
• Threat Modeling: Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities early in the design phase of new features.
• Penetration Testing: Conduct regular penetration tests to identify weaknesses that could be exploited in production environments.

Managing Open Source Software (OSS)

Open-source software is invaluable, but it introduces risks if not managed properly. Investors will want to know that you’re aware of these risks and have processes in place to mitigate them.

• Track Dependencies: Use tools like Dependabot or Snyk to monitor OSS dependencies for vulnerabilities.
• License Management: Ensure that your use of OSS complies with licensing requirements to avoid legal risks.

Conclusion

Embedding security into your SDLC and managing OSS risks demonstrates maturity and readiness to investors. It shows that your company can scale securely and handle the growing complexity of product development.

Check out Part 4 of our Series A Ready blog series for more information on Continuity and Disaster Recovery and to continue preparing your company’s security and compliance programs for fundraising activities.