Secure Software Development – Secure Software Development

Why secure software development is crucial for industrial systems

Security considerations must be taken into account throughout the entire life cycle of industrial software systems. In networked machines and plant in particular, increasing complexity, interfaces and the use of third-party and open-source components are creating new vulnerabilities.

ITQ helps companies to develop software securely right from the start. Security requirements are taken into account right from the system design stage and systematically integrated into the architecture, development and testing phases. This includes, amongst other things, secure communication concepts, encryption and clearly defined security structures.

What is crucial here is not the retrospective securing of individual components, but a consistent approach throughout the entire development process. The focus is not only on the secure development of the software itself, but also on secure system design, appropriate toolchains and structured operational and update processes.

By combining a structured approach, appropriate tools and clear processes, vulnerabilities can be identified at an early stage and security risks reduced in the long term. At the same time, existing software systems can also be analysed, assessed and further developed with a specific focus on security.

Your benefits at a glance:

Identifying security vulnerabilities at the development stage
The foundation for secure networked systems
Greater stability and robustness of software systems
Early integration of safety requirements
Lower risks of downtime and attacks
A structured approach to security vulnerabilities
Analysis of existing software

Finding the right solution together

Your personal contact for software engineering will be happy to advise you on your specific enquiry.

Get in touch now for a no-obligation consultation.

Theresia Rusch

ITQ Branch Manager, North Rhine-Westphalia

„Security is not an extra step, but the result of sound design, structured processes and a consistent approach to addressing vulnerabilities.“

Security risks arise from a lack of integration into development and processes

In many organisations, software security is not taken into account until late in the development process. Security requirements are unclear, are added as an afterthought, or are only partially implemented. At the same time, there is a lack of suitable tools and processes for systematically identifying and assessing vulnerabilities.

This leads to increased workload, security vulnerabilities that are difficult to rectify, and operational risks. Vulnerabilities often only come to light at a late stage and can only be rectified at considerable cost. A swift response is essential here.

This is precisely where secure software comes into play: security requirements are integrated into the design, architecture and development right from the start and are consistently adhered to during operation. In addition, structured processes and appropriate tools ensure that vulnerabilities can be identified at an early stage, assessed and systematically rectified.

Security vulnerabilities caused by a lack of structure and processes

Typical challenges within a company:

Safety requirements are only taken into account at a late stage
Failure to integrate security measures into development processes
Lack of tools for the automated detection of vulnerabilities
No structured process for assessing and addressing identified security vulnerabilities in the field

It is only through a combination of design, processes and tooling that software vulnerabilities can be identified and minimised in the long term.

Services relating to secure software development

ITQ systematically integrates security into the architecture, development and processes of industrial software systems.

An overview of our services

Analysis of security requirements in software projects
Integration of security requirements into development processes
Development of secure software architectures
Integration of automated security checks into development and build processes
Analysis, assessment and remediation of vulnerabilities throughout the software life cycle

Technological expertise

Secure communication systems and encryption
Automated security checks in development and build processes
Analysis of vulnerabilities and security risks
Security Monitoring and Vulnerability Management
Securing industrial software systems and interfaces

Procedures in Secure Software Projects

Developing secure software requires a structured approach. ITQ systematically integrates security considerations throughout the entire lifecycle.

Project phases

Analysis of safety requirements

Identification of requirements and relevant framework conditions.

Assessment of the software architecture

Analysis of existing and new structures with regard to security risks.

Definition of security concepts

Defining appropriate measures, architectures and security mechanisms.

Continuous security checks

Use of automated tools and testing mechanisms to continuously identify vulnerabilities during development.

Dealing with weaknesses & continuous improvement

Systematic identification, assessment and rectification of security vulnerabilities, as well as the continuous optimisation and safeguarding of software released to customers.

Secure Software Development in Practice

Sector: Logistics, Mechanical Engineering

Secure authentication with Keycloak

We have implemented a central single sign-on platform for Jungheinrich based on Keycloak. The solution brings together several internal and external intralogistics applications under a modern, secure identity and access management architecture.

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Further ITQ solutions

The services described form part of ITQ’s comprehensive service portfolio. ITQ combines technological expertise, a methodical approach and a deep understanding of processes to deliver sustainable solutions throughout the entire life cycle.

FAQs – Secure Software Development

What does ‘secure software development’ mean?

Secure software development means taking security requirements into account right from the design, architecture and development process stages, in order to prevent vulnerabilities at an early stage.

Why is secure software important for businesses?

As connectivity increases, so does the risk of security breaches. Secure software reduces these risks and protects systems from attacks in the long term.

What is vulnerability management in software development?

Vulnerability management is the structured process of identifying, assessing and rectifying security vulnerabilities throughout the entire software life cycle.

What measures form part of secure software development?

These include secure architecture, encryption, PKI and automated security checks in development and build processes.

Any further questions ...

How does the ITQ approach differ from traditional security tests?

ITQ integrates security directly into the development process, rather than checking it only at the end. This results in fewer vulnerabilities and more stable systems.

How can existing software be made more secure?

By analysing existing systems, identifying vulnerabilities and gradually implementing measures in the architecture, code and processes.