Overview
The software development life cycle (SDLC) is a framework for planning, designing, developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining software. The secure software development life cycle (SSDLC) is a variation of the SDLC that incorporates security best practices into all stages of the development process.
The main difference between SDLC and SSDLC is that SDLC focuses on the functional aspects of software development, while SSDLC also considers the security aspects. In other words, SDLC is concerned with making sure that software works as intended, while SSDLC is concerned with making sure that software is also secure.
The Differences Between SDLC and SSDLC
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between SDLC and SSDLC:
| Feature | SDLC | SSDLC |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Functionality | Security |
| When to start security considerations | Late in the development process | Early in the development process |
| Types of security checks | Mostly manual | Mostly automated |
| Level of security | Lower | Higher |
SSDLC Benefits
The benefits of using an SSDLC include:
Increased security of software
By incorporating security best practices into all stages of the development process, SSDLC can help to reduce the number of security vulnerabilities in software.
Reduced development costs
By catching and fixing security vulnerabilities early in the development process, SSDLC can help to reduce the cost of fixing them later.
Improved compliance
By following security best practices, organizations can improve their compliance with industry regulations.
Summary
If you are developing software that is critical to your organization’s operations, then you should consider using an SSDLC. An SSDLC can help to reduce the risk of security breaches and protect your organization from financial losses and reputational damage.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework
- The SANS Institute Security Reading Room
I hope this blog post has helped you to understand the differences between SDLC and SSDLC. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
