Contents
4 Secure Software Development Frameworks
The Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC) is a set of principles that can be put into practice using various structured frameworks and models. These frameworks provide concrete guidance, processes, and maturity models to embed security across all phases of the development lifecycle.
Let's go through the 4 currently popular frameworks that help implement the SSDLC:
1. OWASP Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM)
OWASP SAMM is a widely adopted framework designed to help organizations implement the SSDLC and is considered one of the most trusted models in the industry.
Definition and Purpose: SAMM is a flagship project of the OWASP Foundation that translates the principles of the SSDLC into concrete security practices that teams can adopt. It is flexible, agnostic (not tied to specific technology or team size), and well-suited for a wide range of organizations.
Structure and Improvement: It is a maturity-based approach that supports iterative improvement, allowing teams to start simple and scale gradually across the organization. SAMM includes security practices across the core development business functions: Design, Implementation, and Verification. It also includes Governance and Operations functions, which are essential for ensuring that secure development is backed by clear strategy and operational readiness.
OWASP’s Recommended SSDLC: SAMM represents the most complete and community-backed definition of what an OWASP-aligned SSDLC should look like in practice. Tools like SAMMY are specifically designed to help organizations implement the SSDLC using OWASP SAMM by assessing maturity, identifying gaps, and building structured improvement plans.
2. NIST Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF)
The NIST SSDF (Secure Software Development Framework) is a framework developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Goal: The SSDF defines software development techniques that can be used to realize a secure SDLC. Its primary aim is to lessen the number of vulnerabilities in software that is released into production environments and reduce the potential for unexploited vulnerabilities to be exploited.
Practices: The framework includes prominent behaviors such as automating and integrating security tests, and giving developers instruction in secure code to ensure security from the start. NIST SSDF is also relevant for examples of implementation of secure processes at various stages of the SDLC and is based in part on OWASP guidance.
3. Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (MS SDL)
The Microsoft SDL is another model that can be used to apply the SSDLC principle.
Focus: Microsoft introduced MS SDL to provide reliable security considerations supporting the modern development workflow.
Benefits: The MS SDL is a selection of procedures chosen to support security assurance and compliance needs. It can help developers reduce the volume and seriousness of vulnerabilities in their codebase, cutting down on the costs and delays associated with late-stage remediation.
4. OWASP Comprehensive, Lightweight Application Security Process (CLASP)
Note: CLASP has been retired in favour of OpenSAMM (Open Software Assurance Maturity Model) and OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS). We're planning to explore those further in future articles.
OWASP CLASP was another example of a framework designed for creating safe software development lifecycles.
- Function: CLASP implemented best practices for security using rule-based components. It assisted developers in implementing security in a systematic and repeatable manner and in securing applications early in the development cycle.
But wait, there's more...
In addition to these comprehensive lifecycle frameworks, other models can also be used to address specific security practices within the SSDLC, particularly during the design phase.
2 of them that come to mind are STRIDE & PASTA:
STRIDE: Developed by Microsoft, STRIDE is a framework used to categorize potential security threats and is helpful for implementing threat modeling.
PASTA: This is a risk-centric threat modeling methodology that prioritizes and mitigates threats based on their likelihood and business impact. It is suggested as a good starting point if an organization is working closely with development.
These models (STRIDE and PASTA) function as guides to make sure that different security scenarios are covered, identifying weak areas and advising changes to mitigate possible vulnerabilities, especially in the early stages of development. We’ll dive into STRIDE & PASTA in future article(s).
back to more articlessecurity CLASP MS SDL Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle NIST OWASP PASTA SAMM SSDF SSDLC Secure Software Development Framework Secure Software Development Lifecycle Software Assurance Maturity Model Threat Modeling STRIDE Best Practices blueprint framework secure engineering security architecture 2024
