Top Shift Left security Best Practices CTOs should consider

Top Shift Left security Best Practices CTOs should consider According to HackerOne, fixing a security issue after software is released can cost 30 times more than fixing it during development. Today, CTOs take a different approach. Shift Left Security Best Practices bring security into the early stages of development. Teams find and fix issues during design and coding, stopping small problems from becoming big ones. This approach automates scans, threat modeling in development, and security in CI/CD pipeline. It also supports developer-first security and stronger Secure SDLC practices. For CTOs leading agile teams and DevSecOps shift left security checklist, starting security early is crucial. It reduces risk, accelerates delivery, and ensures software is safe and authentic. Get your Apps quickly built with Microsoft Power Apps Development Services Contact us Now Why CTOs Should Care About Shift Left Security Security is important because it reduces risks, helps deliver software faster, and maintains projects compliant. Finding problems early with early-stage security testing saves time and money later. Following Secure SDLC practices and DevSecOps implementation, security is part of every stage. Top Shift Left Security Best Practices CTOs Should Consider These are key actions CTOs can take to include Shift Left security early and reduce risks in software projects. 3.1 Start Security Early in Development Why it matters: Identifying and fixing security issues early is faster, cheaper, and avoids final moment disturbances. How it works: Teams discuss potential risks during requirement gathering, create secure architecture plans, and apply basic checks during early coding. This helps identify problems before they reach testing or production. Example: A fintech company added code scanning during development and fixed a major vulnerability before release, saving both time and money. Read More: When to Use Azure Managed Services? 5 Key Scenarios for CTOs 3.2 Build a Developer-First Security Culture Why it matters: When developers understand application security automation and build it into their work, fewer issues reach later stages. How it works: Companies trained developers to write safe code, explain Common mistakes in shift left security implementation, and provide tools to check their code as they work. Example: An e-commerce platform trained its developers to reduce security-related bugs. 3.3 Upgrade Security in the CI/CD Pipeline Why it matters: Automation accelerates testing, reduces manual error, and keeps every setup secure without slowing delivery. How it works: Tools for shift left security in CI/CD pipelines. Each time code is changed or deployed, the tools check it for problems and stop unsafe code from being used. Example: A healthcare app integrated upgraded scans in its Azure CI/CD pipeline, detecting risks before production and avoiding costly final delays. 3.4 Use Threat Modeling in Development Why it matters: Finding possible ways attackers could target the system early helps teams fix problems before they become bigger and more expensive to fix. Improve your business scalability with Microsoft 365 development services Get us involved How it works: Before coding, teams check the system for risks like security breaches or unauthorized access and fix the most serious problems first. Example: An insurance company planned for possible risks during design and added strict access controls, stopping unauthorized access after the system launched. 3.5 Secure Open-Source Components Why it matters: Old or weak third-party libraries are usually attacked and can cause security problems in applications. How it works: Tools check all third-party parts for security problems. Risky or old parts are fixed or replaced, and regular checks help keep the system safe. Example: A logistics company used tools to find weak open-source libraries and fixed or replaced them before they could be attacked. 3.6 Safeguard Infrastructure as Code Why it matters: Cloud and containerized systems can be exposed by simple misconfigurations if security is not checked early. Read More: Healthcare AI Models In Azure AI: Application & Use cases How it works: IaC templates are scanned during development for risky configurations such as open ports or broad permissions. Teams apply least-privilege rules and compliance policies as part of the build, so unsafe infrastructure never gets deployed. Example: A SaaS company checked its code before deployment and corrected cloud storage settings to protect data. 3.7 Track, Measure, and Continuous Improvement Why it matters: New vulnerabilities appear all the time, so constant monitoring helps keep systems secure and improves future processes. How it works: Dashboards track security issues, how quickly they are fixed, and problems that happen again. Teams use this to make future work safer. Example: A retail company used continuous monitoring to detect and fix a risky API exposure before attackers could exploit it. Conclusion Security is a shared responsibility, not a final task. CTOs can lead by fixing security into every stage of development. Struggling to manage many devices? Fix it with our Azure IoT Hub Consulting Services Contact us Today This blog covered best practices of Shift Left Security in Azure for integrating security early in SDLC that help teams catch problems early, reduce risks, and deliver safer software faster. iFour Technolab has over 12 years of experience helping businesses implement secure development practices. Our solutions simplify security in software projects, prevent costly issues, and ensure reliable, safe applications. Let us help you strengthen your development process with Shift left security strategies for agile teams tailored for your business. FAQs 1. How can I integrate security early in my development process? Security during planning and design involves developers and security experts from the start and adds regular code checks. 2. How do agile teams apply shift left security? They include security tasks in every sprint, do early risk analysis, run automated scans, and fix issues as part of regular development. 3. Is shift left security suitable for small development teams? Yes. Even small teams can benefit by adding simple checks early, using basic scanning tools, and making security part of daily work. 4. Can small teams also benefit from shift left security in application development? Yes. Even small teams can implement simple checks and scans to identify issues early and enhance safety. 5. How to implement shift left security in software projects? To implement shift left security in software projects, follow these steps: Involve security experts during design and planning. Teach developers how to write safe code. Use tools that check code for problems as it is written. Add automated security scans in the build and release process. Review scan results regularly and fix issues early.

Lochan Paliwal

Lochan Paliwal, a skilled Content Writer at iFour Technolab, excels in SEO and creates impactful and engaging content. She loves exploring the latest technology trends and shares valuable insights on various platforms. She believes in learning and growing to make a meaningful impact in the digital field. Beyond writing, Lochan enjoys exploring new cuisines and travelling.