In an era of relentless attacks on web applications, code security is just as important as functionality.
Secure Coding Practices are a disciplined set of techniques and guidelines that help developers create software inherently resistant to common exploits and programming errors.
According to OWASP, over 70% of web-application incidents stem from coding flaws or improper input validation.
What Secure Coding Really Means
Secure coding is the practice of designing, writing, and testing code in a way that minimises the likelihood of security vulnerabilities.
Its goal is to protect data confidentiality, integrity, and availability from the very beginning.
Application security starts with the developer — not with the firewall.
Core Secure Coding Principles
- Input validation & sanitisation – always filter and validate user-supplied data to prevent SQL Injection, XSS, and command injection.
- Secure session management – use secure tokens, short session lifetimes, and HttpOnly/Secure/SameSite cookie flags.
- Data encryption – apply strong encryption (AES-256, TLS 1.3) to sensitive data at rest and in transit.
- Access control – enforce strict authorisation and the principle of least privilege.
Embedding Secure Practices in Your Team
- Security training – keep developers up to date with the latest threats and OWASP Top 10.
- Mandatory code reviews – systematically check for security flaws before merging.
- Automated security testing – integrate SAST (Static Analysis, DAST Dynamic Analysis, SCA Software Composition Analysis, and IAST into CI/CD pipelines.
Shifting security left — making it part of the entire SDLC — is the essence of DevSecOps.
Benefits of Adopting Secure Coding
- Drastically fewer vulnerabilities shipped to production.
- Higher customer and partner trust.
- Easier compliance with standards and regulations (ISO/IEC 27034, GDPR, NIS2, PCI-DSS, etc.).
Start Building Secure Software Today
Invest in developer training, code audits, and automated security tooling.
Secure coding isn’t an extra work — it’s the foundation of reliable, trustworthy applications.
Get in Touch
I help organisations implement secure coding programmes, perform AppSec audits, and integrate DevSecOps pipelines in full alignment with OWASP ASVS and ISO/IEC 27034.
Email: biuro@wichran.pl
Phone: +48 515 601 621
Author: Piotr Wichrań – Court-appointed IT forensic expert, IT/OT cybersecurity specialist, licensed private investigator
@Informatyka.Sledcza