Security for Engineering Leaders (on a budget)
Software startups often operate on tight budgets, making low or no-cost security measures particularly appealing.
Here are several effective strategies that startups can implement to enhance their security without significant financial investments.
Use Open Source Tools: Many open-source security tools can provide robust security features at no cost. Tools like OWASP ZAP for web vulnerability detection and various security scanners that track known vulnerabilities in applications and libraries are available.
Implement Strong Access Controls: Enforce the principle of least privilege by ensuring that employees have access only to the resources necessary for their roles. This can be managed through role-based access controls typically built into many operating systems and services. This can be a bit difficult depending on the size and stage of the company at the moment. Nevertheless, managing access and not giving full administrative access to everyone is a good idea.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Many services offer multi-factor authentication for free. Enabling MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond just a password. While this can be in the way, it might be what stops you from being hacked.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Ensure everyone uses strong, unique passwords for each service. Tools like KeePass or Bitwarden can help manage passwords securely without additional cost. Make sure you don’t save your second factor with your password.
Regularly Update and Patch Systems: One of the simplest and most effective security measures is to keep all software up to date. This includes operating systems, applications, and all third-party software used in the business. This can be a bit tedious, but free tools like Dependabot and Renovate Bot can automate most of the tasks freeing up your and your team’s hands.
Secure Your Code: Use secure coding practice. Utilize free static analysis tools to scan and identify vulnerabilities in your codebase. GitHub, for example, offers integrated security scanning features that can help identify known vulnerabilities in open-source dependencies. Use OWASP Developer Guide to learn and train secure software development.
By integrating these security practices, startups can significantly bolster their security posture with minimal financial output. These are the basics everyone should follow.
Interesting Links
Dropbox Data Breach Impacts Customer Information
Another week, another data breach. Dropbox reported a breach in its Sign service, exposing user data like email addresses, usernames, phone numbers, hashed passwords, and authentication tokens. No payment info or signed documents were accessed. Dropbox has notified affected users, reset passwords, and rotated compromised keys and tokens. Investigations continue.
Implementing a Modern Detection Engineering Workflow Part 1 (Part 2 & Part 3)
A modern detection engineering workflow involves implementing a Detection-as-Code pipeline to manage detection rules in Chronicle Security Operations. The process includes generating ideas, developing detection rules, peer reviews, deployment, and tuning. This three-part series gives a great intro.
aws-scps-for-sandbox-and-training-accounts
My long-term Friend Michael Kirchner created an AWS service control policy (SCP) that prevents member accounts from entering long-term financial agreements or making long-term reservations. His work on SCP is something to watch for as he regularly releases great new policies and tools.
poutine is a security scanner that detects misconfigurations and vulnerabilities in the build pipelines of a repository. It supports parsing CI workflows from GitHub Actions and Gitlab CI/CD. We scan all the things, but somehow we miss out on scanning the scanning automation.
Working Together?
Thank you for reading along. If you have feedback or questions, message me anytime at andy@occamslabs.com. If you want to be featured in the next issue or have some suggestions, send them my way.