The risk of data breaches is rising sharply. The number increased 56% between 2017 and 2018. Fortunately, new technology can help enhance cybersecurity.
Big data technology is becoming more important in the field of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity experts are using data analytics and AI to identify warning signs that a firewall has been penetrated, conduct risk scoring analyses and perform automated cybersecurity measures. As the demand for cybersecurity solutions grows, the need for data-savvy experts will rise accordingly.
Agile helps with making the software development process faster and maintaining the quality of software. It is generally thought that when something is done in a hurry, it doesn’t get done properly. However, Agile technology defies this rule of thumb, especially when developers leverage big data effectively.
Agile helps improve the quality of the work being done. Hence, without any doubt, a cybersecurity team can work alongside an Agile environment. They can take advantage of the benefits of Agile to create data-driven cybersecurity solutions. This can help them mitigate the risks of data breaches and other problems that threaten the state of their networks.
Using Agile is a new way to improve the state of the tech industry, especially for cybersecurity engineers who often trust waterfall methodology. They can take data-driven approaches to develop powerful applications that can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks.
The main difference between the agile approach and waterfall methodology is that Agile relies on continuous development and testing, whereas waterfall methodology is a linear life cycle. Agile works by implementing various phases throughout the software development process, but the waterfall methodology requires every aspect of one phase before moving on to the next phase.
Organizations should consider how cybersecurity will impact software development in an Agile workflow. Below are the things to consider:
1. The advantage of the cloud should be taken.
Companies are moving to the cloud as it offers high levels of security. One of the beauties of the cloud is that it does not take a massive investment of upfront capital. Many cloud providers use the consumption model, which makes good financial sense for most companies, allowing them to develop their software in a secure environment without any significant upfront investments.
For example, Microsoft Azure offers a wide range of products across an entire ecosystem, allowing enterprises the flexibility to choose the tools and development environment that will work best for them without compromising security.
This broad range of services should be an essential consideration for enterprises to choose between different cloud providers. It should include the incremental costs of securing on-premise when doing evaluations.
2. Categorizing data
Proper data categorization is one of the critical aspects of data security in agile development. Developers should look closely at the data and its use and determine the correct category for the data. Companies are taking time to get detailed data categorization, with levels ranging from confidential to restricted to high business impact.
On the other hand, some companies declare all their data to be within the highest restriction levels without knowing the relative level of risk. This can result in companies in security dangers since they are focusing on everything at once. Instead, companies should assess where security resources realistically need to be focused. Taking more time with data categories will result in a slow and critical look at companies’ data risk.
Financial services and health care require a high level of data and information security, and there are still ways to create data categories for more security.
3. Security by default and design
Now companies have started implementing security programs in their businesses. One of the most important steps is to educate the employees in developing and implementing solutions such as the concept known as “security and privacy by design and default.” By informing people involved in the business, irrespective of their role, it is easier for them to integrate security and privacy controls into everything they do from the beginning.
Dedicating specific roles to security within the project is a good idea. For example- data protection lead and security ambassadors will help security across the entire business. Conducting an education program for all employees to be informed and participate in the company’s security is essential.
4. The practice of good defense
Cybersecurity in an agile environment means a comprehensive approach to identify if there are any gaps or concerns. It includes using data analytics to coordinate testing, create AI algorithms to automate processes and learn from simulated attacks to ensure security at every development step. This can be achieved through penetration testing, simulated attacks, and application scanning.
An automated process of security testing creates more robust applications. Through initial threat protection tactics, businesses can implement and enhance the attacks to assess factors to improve overall cybersecurity. For cybersecurity, automated attacks should be run at every stage of development. Data analytics and AI technology make this possible.
5. Expecting the unexpected
There is always a possibility that things won’t always go as per the plan. So, be sure to have the right people in place so that they can manage any security incident that happens. It is important to ensure that no steps are missing. One of the advantages of cybersecurity is that it continues to advance every year.
Companies switching to agile development should not fear compromising their security. Instead, they can take advantage of the security and cost savings of the cloud. Agile development will consider security at every design stage, conduct practice tests, and test the security process.
By keeping the above recommendations, companies can gain confidence by embedding cybersecurity in businesses.
What should you know about the disadvantages of cybersecurity in an Agile environment?
One of the issues in agile is that the software is constantly changing, which can give a chance to potential hackers. The Agile software environment changes due to the fast nature of evolution.
Big Data and Agile Are Twin Pillars in the Quest to Develop Better Cybersecurity Technology
More organizations than ever are trying to protect their data. Agile technology and big data make this easier.
With the current cyber threat, demand for cybersecurity is growing. Big data and Agile development can help improve defenses.
Organizations are deploying agile operating models and new ways of working to innovate faster and build better products. Cybersecurity must carefully work into each increment to deliver sufficient security and quality results.
Agile security can make life easier for developers and will benefit the consumers the most. Agile security will be able to build basically secure systems that work. An agile framework can create efficient processes for cybersecurity across an entire platform while using resources.
And if you want to be a part of cybersecurity, but approach it in an agile, efficient, waste intolerant way – consider someone like Scrum with Style, a highly recommended training provider with hundreds of successful online and offline courses already held.