Do you know the concept of Security By Design?

Information security has become an increasingly strategic role for companies with the strengthening of digital transformation. This trend gained even more space with the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, which helped expand home office and cloud computing. The new scenario also led to the use of new concepts, such as Security By Design.

In other words, it was necessary to adopt a new mindset to combat cybercrime with more intelligence and strategy. With the sophistication of virtual threats,companies need to put in place actions that are truly capable of protecting data.

In this article, we will present information about Security By Design that will help you better understand how to use this mechanism in favor of your business. Check out!

Security By Design: What Is It?

It is an inverse practice of reactive security, that is, the focus is to proactively think about procedures that will make the development of software safer. In this way, a system will be available to users with the fewest possible vulnerabilities,which greatly hinders the actions of hackers.

For a solution to be released based on this concept, it is critical that it meets a number of security requirements. This process is intended to ensure that the tool is appropriate to the best practices of the market.

No system can be developed today without having a close eye on virtual threats. As a result, it is interesting that companies prioritize Security By Design when developing software, because the damage caused by a theft or data leak can, depending on the situation, be irreversible.

It is worth mentioning that this practice also includes risk management, internal processes and the adoption of new technologies, such as IoT. Undeniably, it is necessary to have mechanisms that minimize the possibility of incidents that affect organizational reputation.

Security By Design and Privacy by Design: What is the relationship?

Together with the implementation of Security By Design, it is also important to think about privacy by design practices. After all, both are complementary concepts, with Privacy by Design giving importance to the protection of personal data by systems involving the processing of this type of information.

For you to truly understand this concept, the best way is to understand the most relevant principles. Thinking about it, we will explain them, in a didactic way, in order to remove all your doubts. Follow!

The 7 Basic Principles of Privacy by Design

1. Proactive, and non-reactive; preventive, non-corrective

Having the ability to anticipate and prevent situations that can cause invasion of privacy is one of the strengths of Privacy by Design. After all, this method has a proactive character to prevent serious security incidents in a company.

In addition, it is based on recognizing the need to employ privacy initiatives consistently. For results to be within expectations, it is crucial that senior management is involved with established privacy standards. This contributes to greater engagement in information security measures.

2. Privacy as standard

If a company is really interested in protecting corporate data, it is vital that privacy in the use of systems is a standard to be respected by everyone, regardless of hierarchical function.

In this way, a posture is consolidated for users to be more secure when entering information into a software. The credibility of an organization is invaluable and must be preserved to the fullest. That's why it's so important to be careful about data management.

3. Privacy built into design

When used as a key piece for the success of a system, Privacy By Design becomes an indispensable element for functionalities to be made the best possible use by users.

For this to be achieved, it is indicated that the practice appropriates the architecture of information in a creative and integrated way. Thus, it is possible to develop a software that presents the resources in a simple way to the target audience and addresses the needs of stakeholders.

It is very important to have a holistic vision to have a full understanding of the potential of the system. This care allows greater involvement of customers in the development phase and makes room for improvements of functionalities, before the tool is approved.

4. Full functionality

It is not a simple task to combine privacy with a high degree of usability in a system. On the other hand, Privacy By Design works to provide a unique and relevant experience for the target audience.

In other words, privacy should be holding hands with the ease of users making the most of the benefits of a tool. Security is a very important item for the software, but it cannot affect the use of available resources.

5. End-to-end security and protection throughout the data lifecycle

Privacy must be guaranteed from start to finish of the user experience. That is, it is very relevant that the good security practices in a software are present in all functionalities fully.

Any vulnerability can cause a leak or theft of information. And this, without a doubt, is one of the greatest fears in the corporate world today. It is no stop that the search for more efficient security procedures is one of the priorities in most public and private institutions.

6. Visibility and transparency

Many may be in doubt whether a company is really concerned about users' privacy of IT solutions. With the intention of eliminating this fear, Privacy By Design has as one of the most impactful elements compliance, which consists of a set of rules to be followed in the relationship with the target audience.

As a corporation relies on practices positively recognized by the market, the greater the chances of acting responsibly and transparently.

7. Respect for user privacy

One of the best ways to show that a company cares about the data made available in a system is the consent policy. In it, the user is informed, in detail, how the information entered will be used by the company.

However, an organization will only use the data as long as the citizen agrees to the terms presented. This measure is a way of complying with the rules established by the General Data Protection Act (LGPD).

In addition to following these principles, a company has a good chance of successfully adopting Security By Design and Privacy by Design by investing in a platform capable of effectively detecting code vulnerabilities, such as bugScout.

If you are interested in adopting information security best practices, please contact our team right now! We are on hand to help your business overcome challenges!