Better Metrics Are Key to Improving Application Security

Keeping cloud applications safe is more important than ever. As cyber threats become more frequent and advanced, organizations must focus on solid application security strategies to protect their data and systems. A vital part of this process is finding and fixing potential risks before they can be used against you. This proactive approach requires clear success metrics that work well with application security and development processes.

The concept of “shifting left” has been a topic of discussion in the industry for years. This strategy involves catching security issues early in the development process, reducing the potential for vulnerabilities in production. However, the tools and techniques available to achieve this have evolved significantly, allowing organizations to understand better and analyze their security metrics. This enhanced understanding is crucial in managing application-based risks as part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

In recent years, the landscape of application security has become increasingly challenging. The transition to cloud-based services has opened up new avenues for attackers, making it vital for organizations to bolster their defenses. Threats are now more abundant and sophisticated, partly due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). While AI can enhance coding and streamline development processes, it also empowers adversaries to create more effective malware. This dual-edged sword highlights the need for robust security measures to keep pace with evolving threats.

To protect organizations in today’s interconnected world, application security and development teams must align their goals and work collaboratively. By establishing standard success metrics, both teams can focus on eliminating risks and enhancing the organization’s overall security posture. This collaboration is essential in a landscape where security incidents can have far-reaching consequences. Here are key strategies to start taking control and improving the metrics used to track your application portfolios.

Holistic Tools for Application Security

One of the most significant challenges in application security is the sheer volume of security alerts generated by various protection products. This overwhelming number can lead to “alert fatigue,” where teams become desensitized to alerts and may overlook critical issues. Modern application security teams often rely on multiple tools to scan an application’s code before deployment while utilizing separate tools for runtime protection. However, many of these tools operate in silos and fail to provide an interconnected view of the entire application environment.

To successfully implement an application security program, organizations must understand and track two key areas: the gaps between security enforcement and what gets integrated into the code and ensuring that both teams have the right context to identify actionable insights. A consistent approach to security across development and operations is vital for protecting applications from code to cloud. This means creating a culture where security is a shared responsibility rather than a separate task handled by a dedicated team.

A Prevention-First Approach to Security

Application security and development teams often measure success based on the number of alerts resolved. While this metric can show team alignment, it does not provide a comprehensive view of the organization’s security status. Furthermore, focusing solely on alert resolution can be counterproductive, as it may encourage teams to rush through the process, increasing the likelihood of mistakes.

Instead, a more effective approach is to adopt a prevention-first mindset. This means striving for a reduction in the number of critical vulnerabilities that make it to production. Automation and AI-driven tools can assist teams in being more proactive, minimizing reliance on manual threat detection methods. By implementing such tools, organizations can create a more resilient application security framework that reduces the chances of security breaches.

Mean Time To Remediate (MTTR) in Application Security

Mean Time To Remediate (MTTR) is a widely used success metric in application security, but it can be misleading if not applied correctly. It takes organizations approximately 145 hours to remediate a security alert. To ensure that MTTR is a valuable metric, clearly defining and classifying what constitutes a remediated or fixed issue is essential. Security teams may measure success based on how quickly they can escalate an alert to a developer, but this doesn’t guarantee that the developer will address the issue promptly.

For MTTR to be effective, it must involve both security and development teams, with success measured by the time from when an alert is raised to when the fix is deployed in the production environment. Organizations can reduce MTTR and enhance their overall security posture by fostering collaboration between these teams.

Ensuring Compliance Beyond Minimum Standards

Compliance is another crucial aspect of application security that organizations must address. AppSec teams should regularly measure their applications’ compliance with industry-recognized frameworks such as HIPAA, FedRAMP, SOC2, and PCI. However, focusing solely on compliance can create a false sense of security if proactive security measures do not accompany it.

Organizations often need to be more aware of treating compliance as the end goal rather than the minimum standard. The objective of security is not merely to avoid regulatory penalties but to protect data and systems from breaches. To achieve this, organizations must build security strategies beyond mere compliance. This includes integrating advanced security practices that can adapt to the dynamic nature of cyber threats.

Combining Metrics, Tools, and Automation for Improved Security

Combining the right metrics with better tooling and automation can provide a comprehensive view of the entire application infrastructure. This holistic approach enables organizations to understand better how applications interact with each other and help make both application security and DevOps teams more productive. By utilizing a wide range of metrics—beyond just compliance or alert resolution—organizations can gain valuable insights into their security posture and areas for improvement.

In conclusion, protecting cloud applications requires a multi-faceted approach incorporating effective application security strategies, collaboration between teams, and a focus on prevention. Organizations can significantly enhance their cybersecurity efforts by aligning goals, leveraging advanced tools, and measuring success meaningfully. As threats evolve, staying proactive and adaptable is the key to safeguarding applications and maintaining a solid security posture. By prioritizing these strategies, businesses can reduce risks and build a more resilient foundation for their application portfolios.