Software development

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policyASD ISM

Guidelines for software development

108 controls in this part of theACSC ISM. Each control links to plain-English guidance, audit tips and cross-framework mappings.

Artificial Intelligence Application Development

Detect and Mitigate Adversarial Prompts in Generative AI Applications

Generative AI applications must check user prompts to catch and block adversarial inputs that try to

Store AI Models In A Non-Executable File Format

Artificial intelligence (AI) models must be saved using a file format that cannot run arbitrary code

Document AI Model and System Characteristics

Create detailed documents about AI models and systems, including their architecture and security ris

Prevent Exposure of AI Model Confidence Scores

Do not show AI model confidence scores in outputs to avoid revealing exact confidence levels.

Verify Integrity of AI Models, Structures, and Weights

Ensure AI models are genuine and have not been tampered with to maintain trustworthiness.

Verify the Source and Integrity of AI Training Data

Check where the data used to train artificial intelligence (AI) models comes from and confirm it has

Ensure Accuracy of AI Model Training Data

Techniques verify that AI training data is reliable and accurate.

Monitor AI Model Performance and Investigate Anomalies

Keep track of AI model performance and check any unusual behaviors.

Rate Limiting for AI Inference Queries

Limit the rate at which AI models can be queried to prevent overuse.

Enforce Resource Limits for AI Models

AI models must have enforced resource limits to prevent excessive use.

Enforce Fine-Grained Permissions for AI Applications

Implement access controls to precisely limit what users can do with AI applications.

Role-Based Access Controls in AI Applications

Access to sensitive data in AI apps is restricted based on user roles.

AI Content Filtering to Block Sensitive Data Exposure

AI apps use content filtering to prevent exposure of sensitive data and improper output.

AI Data Use Requires Explicit Owner Consent

AI applications must not use organisational data without getting explicit consent from the data owne

Delete AI Chat Session Prompts and Outputs

When a chat session is removed from an AI application, every prompt and output associated with that

Mobile application development

Use OWASP Standards in Mobile App Development

Developers use OWASP standards to enhance security in mobile app creation.

Software development fundamentals

Segregation of Environments in Software Development

Development areas are kept separate to enhance security and efficiency in software projects.

Implement Secure by Design in Software Development

Follow Secure by Design practices throughout software development to ensure security.

Incorporate Threat Modelling in Software Development

Use threat modelling to identify potential risks when developing software.

Ensure Input Validation and Sanitisation for Internet Data

All internet-received inputs for software must be validated and cleaned to prevent security issues.

Ensure Secure Database Queries in Software

Checks ensure database queries from software are legitimate and correctly formatted.

Use Safe Database Query Methods

Software should use parameterised queries or stored procedures to safely access databases.

Minimise Database Error Information in Software

Software should reveal minimal database structure details in error messages.

Ensure Non-Production Security Matches Production

Data from live systems can't be used in test setups unless test setups are just as secure.

Prevent Unauthorised Access to Software Source

Ensure only authorised users can access the main software source to keep it secure.

Prevent OLE Package Activation in Microsoft Office

Ensure Microsoft Office is set to block the use of OLE packages for added security.

Implementing a Vulnerability Disclosure Program

Create a program to find and fix software issues to keep products secure.

Implement Security.txt for Vulnerability Disclosure

Ensure a 'security.txt' file is available on each website to aid in reporting vulnerabilities.

Provide a Software Bill of Materials to Consumers

Ensure software users receive a detailed list of included software components.

Timely Resolution of Identified Software Vulnerabilities

Software vulnerabilities should be fixed quickly to prevent potential security risks.

Develop and Maintain a Vulnerability Disclosure Policy

Organisations create and sustain a policy for reporting software vulnerabilities securely.

Develop and Maintain Vulnerability Disclosure Processes

Organisations must create and maintain procedures for reporting software vulnerabilities.

Apply SecDevOps for Secure Software Development

Use DevOps practices focused on security to develop software safely and securely.

Digitally Sign Executable Software for Security

Executable files must have a digital signature verified by a trusted certificate to ensure security.

Ensure Software Updates are Securely Signed

Make sure software updates and patches are securely signed to verify they are authentic and untamper

Develop Secure Configuration Guidelines for Software

Provide users with guides to securely set up software configurations.

Prevent Unauthorised Changes to Software Sources

Ensure software source is protected against unauthorised changes to maintain integrity.

Secure API Access with Authentication and Authorisation

Ensure only authorised clients can access sensitive data via network APIs over the internet.

Client Authentication for Network API Access

Ensure clients are verified before they change data through network APIs on the internet.

Responsible Disclosure of Software Vulnerabilities

Software weaknesses must be reported openly and quickly, using standard classification systems.

Perform Root Cause Analysis for Vulnerabilities

Analyse the cause of issues and fix related vulnerabilities completely.

Log Network API Calls for Data Protection

Ensure API calls over the internet that change or access sensitive data are logged centrally.

Centralised Logging of Software Errors and Usage

Important software activities and errors are logged to a central system for security tracking.

Ensure Client Authentication for Internal Network APIs

Make sure apps inside your network check who accesses them and what they can do, before allowing dat

Ensure API Client Authentication and Authorisation

Check and confirm who can use certain non-internet APIs to access restricted data.

Central Logging of Non-Internet Network API Data Access

All network API data changes not shared online must be logged centrally.

Ensure Input Validation and Sanitisation for Security

Software must check and clean all local network inputs to prevent security issues.

Maintain a Reliable Source for Software

Ensure a trustworthy source for software is available and maintained consistently.

Utilise Authoritative Sources in Software Development

Use only official sources for all software development tasks to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Using Issue Tracking for Software Development Tasks

Connect software tasks with security and change issues using an issue tracking tool.

Scan Software Artefacts for Malicious Content

Ensure all software artefacts are checked for harmful content before adding them to the main softwar

Verify Software Artefacts with Digital Signatures

Ensure all software is authenticated with a digital signature or secure hash before use.

Test Software Artefacts for Security Weaknesses

All software is tested for security issues before being added to the official software source.

Restrict Third-Party Libraries to Trustworthy Sources

Only use third-party libraries from reliable sources to ensure software security.

Prevent Storing Secrets in Software Repositories

Code commits are scanned for secrets to ensure they aren't saved in the main software repository.

Secure System Build Tools Implementation

Use security features in compilers and build tools to secure your software's executable files.

Ensure Automated Tests Are Completed Before Building

Before creating software, complete all automated tests without errors or warnings.

Document and Maintain Software Security Requirements

Ensure software security needs are documented and securely kept throughout all development stages.

Document and Review Security Design in Development

Keep track of and check security choices throughout software development to ensure safety.

Document Security Duties for Software Developers

Clearly define and document what software developers must do to ensure security.

Maintain Developer Cyber Security Skills Register

Keep a record of software developers' cybersecurity skills and knowledge.

Review Threat Model During Software Development

Regularly update the software threat model to match current and changing threats.

Ensure Secure Programming Practices in Software Development

Develop software using secure programming methods tailored to the chosen language to prevent vulnera

Ensure Use of Memory-Safe Programming Practices

Use programming languages that prevent memory errors to enhance security in software development.

Ensuring Security in Software Development Lifecycle

Security features must be included and enabled in software from the start, at no extra cost to users

Ensuring Readable and Maintainable Software Architecture

Ensure that software design is clear and easy to update.

Prevent Default Credentials in Software Installations

Ensure software does not come with default passwords; new credentials are set during installation.

Ensure Backwards Compatibility Doesn't Weaken Security

Make sure older software versions retain security when new updates are made.

Ensure Secure Impersonation Logging Practices

Ensure no sensitive information is recorded in logs and permissions are correctly set when users can

Notify Users of Authentication Resets via Secondary Channel

When a software authentication factor is reset, users are informed through an additional communicati

Restrict Non-Admins from Changing Permissions

Non-admin users can't change their own permissions or privileges in software with multiple user role

Enforcing Re-authentication After Permission Changes

Users must log in again if their account permissions change.

Validate Digital Signature Certificates Securely

Software checks digital signatures against trusted certificates and ensures they haven't been revoke

Ensure Event Logs for Cybersecurity Event Detection

Software should create logs to help detect security incidents.

Ensure Event Logs Protect Sensitive Data

Event logs must keep sensitive information safe and secured.

Ensure No Vulnerabilities in Third-Party Software Components

Use available software bill of materials to check third-party components for vulnerabilities during

Ensure Software Components Meet Build Standards

Use available build history for third-party software to verify it meets standards during development

Provide Provenance for Software Builds

Ensure that details about how software is created are available to its users.

Ensure Data Validation Before Deserialisation

Check data is correct before converting it from storage format to usable format to prevent issues.

Restrict and Scan File Uploads for Security

Ensure only certain file types are accepted and scanned for viruses before being accessed, executed,

Using Cryptographic BOM in Software Development

Ensure imported software uses standard encryption by checking its cryptographic details.

Provide a Cryptographic Bill of Materials to Software Users

Software producers must give users a list of all cryptographic components used in the software.

Periodically Test Software Artefacts for Weaknesses

Regularly test software for weaknesses using different analysis tools during its development.

Software Development Fundamentals

Software Vulnerability Testing Using SAST, DAST and SCA

Software is regularly tested for security vulnerabilities using various testing methods before and a

Software Development in Development Environments

Software development should only be done in dedicated development environments.

Document Security Roles for Software Development

Identify and document the roles and skills needed for secure software development.

Train Software Developers Lacking Cyber Security Skills

Developers without cyber security skills need training in secure software practices.

End of Life Procedures for Software

Create and share procedures for removing software and managing user accounts at its end of life.

Document, Build and Test All Input Validation Rules

Every rule for checking incoming data must be written down, built into the software, and tested with

Ensure Code Reviews for Secure Software Design

Code reviews are used to verify software security and adherence to secure design principles.

Peer Reviews of Critical and Security-Related Software Components

Have a second qualified developer review all critical and security-related parts of your software be

Unit and Integration Testing for Code Quality

Testing software parts with various cases ensures they work correctly and are built well.

Develop and Maintain Secure Software Policy

A secure software development policy is developed, formally implemented across the software developm

Prevent Using Developers Without Cyber Security Skills

Ensure software developers possess the cyber security knowledge and skills required for their specif

Use Suitable AI Models to Augment Software Security Testing

Where your organisation builds software, use appropriate artificial intelligence tools to strengthen

Web application development

Use OWASP Standards in Web Application Development

Developers must use OWASP standards for building secure web applications.

Ensure Use of Robust Web Application Frameworks

Develop web apps using strong frameworks to enhance security.

Ensuring Secure Web Application Output Encoding

Web applications must correctly encode all their outputs to prevent security risks.

Ensure Web Security Through Response Headers

Web servers use security headers to protect web applications from attacks.

Secure Web Content with HTTPS Only

Ensure all web content is delivered over a secure HTTPS connection.

Implement OWASP Top 10 in Web Development

Use OWASP Top 10 controls to secure web applications during development.

Mitigate OWASP Top 10 in Web Applications

Developers need to address the OWASP Top 10 security risks in web applications to enhance security.

Secure Development Using OWASP API Security Top 10

Web API developers must address the top 10 security risks identified by OWASP to ensure safety.

Ensure Web App Cookies Have Security Flags

Web apps should use secure cookie settings to protect user sessions.

Ensure Secure Cookies with Signed Bearer Tokens

Web cookies should use signed tokens to prevent tampering and ensure security.

Ensure Secure Session Cookies with High Entropy Tokens

Web apps should use random session cookie identifiers with high entropy to ensure security.

Centralised Management of Web Application Sessions

Web apps use a server to handle and secure user sessions instead of relying on the user's device.

Ensure Single Logout for Single Sign-On Web Applications

Web apps with Single Sign-On should also log users out from all connected services.

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