DEV Community

Discussion on: I'm a security auditor and researcher, Ask Me Anything!

Collapse
 
jackharner profile image
Jack Harner 🚀

I know that cyber security is a massive field that takes years to master. Do you have any suggestions of things people can do today to boost application/website/server security?

Collapse
 
shostarsson profile image
Rémi Lavedrine

Hi Jack,
I am a security engineer as well.
I would recommend to start with reading the OWASP Top Ten and figure out if your app, service, etc... follow the very basic rules described there.
I see very often that developers don't know/care enough about security and release really unsecure piece of software that could be way more challenging for "BlackHat Hackers" and so remove all the "basic" flaws that you can encounter.

Collapse
 
terceranexus6 profile image
Paula

and yes!! those are top!

Collapse
 
terceranexus6 profile image
Paula

If you mean to start studying, I would go reading a lot, learning programming, playing capture the flags, joining sec communities and going to events...

But if you mean, as another kind of specialist (such as a dev or something) it depends on your role. If you are in charge of a project and are resourceful, I would hire an actual professional, an auditor, to perform the required tests. There are many automatized tools that can gives you a general idea of your security status, but for a real protection, a professional is needed. If you are a developer, your responsibility is to perform a clean understandable code, and acknowledge the latest vulnerabilities in the tools you choose to use. Most of the security issues in web apps are due to irresponsible use of versions. There's an interesting katacoda course about security in containers that could be used in such situation.

Hope to have cleared your mind about this topic!