Application Security: Threats, Tools and Techniques

What is application security?

Application security is a set of measures designed to prevent data or code at the application level from being stolen or manipulated. It involves security during the application development and design phases as well as systems and approaches that protect applications after deployment. A good application security strategy ensures protection across applications used by internal or external stakeholders, such as employees, vendors, and customers.

Application security for cloud-native environments

In cloud-native environments, securing applications requires embedding security practices throughout the entire development process. This approach involves shifting security measures to the early stages of development, where infrastructure as code (IaC) and container security play a critical role. Automated security scanning and the use of specialized tools tailored to cloud-native architectures are essential for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities, such as those in container images or misconfigured cloud resources. This proactive approach ensures that security is maintained as applications move through dynamic, continuously integrated and deployed environments.

But securing cloud-native applications doesn’t stop there. Due to the dynamic nature of cloud-native applications, it is essential to incorporate security during and after deployment. By combining preventive security measures with real-time insights, organizations will be well equipped to protect their applications and the data within them.

Importance of application security

Today’s applications are not only connected across multiple networks — they are often connected to the cloud, which leaves them open to cloud threats and vulnerabilities. Today, organizations are embracing additional security at the application level rather than only at the network level because application security gives them visibility into vulnerabilities that may help them prevent cyberattacks.

Security controls are a great baseline for any business’s application security strategy. These controls can minimize disruptions to internal processes, allow teams to respond quickly in case of a breach, and improve application software security. They can also be tailored to specific applications, so businesses can implement standards for each application as needed. Reducing security risks is the biggest benefit of application security controls.