Skip to main contentCore principles for writing secure code and preventing common application vulnerabilities.
Secure coding practices reduce the risk of software vulnerabilities that can lead to data breaches, system compromise, and service disruption. Security should be integrated throughout the development lifecycle.
Why It Matters?
Insecure code can result in:
- Unauthorized access to systems and data
- Application exploitation and outages
- Compliance violations and legal risk
Most software vulnerabilities are preventable through secure coding habits.
Key Secure Coding Practices
- Validate and sanitize all user input
- Protect against injection attacks (SQL, XSS, command injection)
Authentication & Authorization
- Use strong password hashing
- Enforce least-privilege access
- Verify permissions on every request
Data Protection
- Encrypt sensitive data in transit and at rest
- Never hardcode credentials or secrets
Error Handling & Logging
- Do not expose system or stack details
- Log security-relevant events securely
Dependency Management
- Keep libraries and frameworks up to date
- Remove unused or vulnerable dependencies
Secure Development Habits
- Follow secure coding standards
- Perform security-focused code reviews
- Use automated security testing tools
- Patch vulnerabilities promptly
Key Takeaway
Secure coding is essential to protecting applications and data.
Write code assuming it will be targeted by attackers.
