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Improving Security Posture

1. Assessment of Initial Security State​

  • Conduct a thorough assessment of the existing security posture, including vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and risk analysis.
  • Identify weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and potential entry points for attackers.

2. Formation of a Security Team​

  • Establish a dedicated security team with a diverse skill set including penetration testers, security analysts, and possibly a security architect.
  • Clearly define roles and responsibilities within the team.

3. Security Policies and Training​

  • Develop and implement comprehensive security policies.
  • Conduct security awareness training for all employees to create a security-centric culture within the organization.

4. Implementation of Basic Security Measures​

  • Install firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection/prevention systems.
  • Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.

5. Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT)​

  • Regularly perform VAPT to identify and address vulnerabilities in the system.
  • Implement a process to prioritize and remediate findings.

OWASP Top 10​

  1. A1:2017 - Injection Flaws: SQL & 05 command Injections
  2. A2:2017 -Broken Authentication
  3. A3:2017 - Sensitive Data Exposure
  4. A4:2017 -XML External Entities (XXE)
  5. A5:2017 -Broken Access Control
  6. A6:2017 -Security Misconfiguration
  7. A7:2017 - Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
  8. A8:2017 - Insecure Deserialization
  9. A9:2017 -Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities
  10. A10:2017 - Insufficient Logging & Monitoring

Additional Vulnerabilities / Test Cases​

  1. If apk or ipa tampering is possible
  2. If any insecure random generator used which poses threat to the app
  3. App is not storing any sensitive information in unsecured manner on device
  4. App is not storing any sensitive information in unsecured manner in temp files
  5. Android & iOS Backup is enabled for the application or not
  6. If debugging is enabled in the application or not
  7. If app is not sharing the information with other apps unintentionally or without requisite permissions.
  8. Source code Obfuscation
  9. If OTP or message flooding is possible
  10. Absence of Payload encryption and Integrity check
  11. Brute force attacks possible
  12. Server Information Disclosure
  13. Arbitrary HTTP methods or the likes allowed
  14. Screenshot capture allowed
  15. XSS or SQL injection vulnerability
  16. App is not transferring sensitive information without encryption

6. Web Application Firewall (WAF) Implementation​

  • Deploy a Web Application Firewall to protect against common web application attacks.
  • Configure the WAF to filter and monitor HTTP traffic.

7. DDoS Protection​

  • Implement a DDoS protection solution to mitigate the risk of service disruption.
  • Test the effectiveness of the DDoS protection in simulated attack scenarios.

8. Incident Response Plan​

  • Develop and document an incident response plan outlining the steps to be taken in the event of a security incident.
  • Conduct regular drills to ensure the team is prepared to respond effectively.

9. Continuous Monitoring​

  • Implement continuous monitoring solutions to detect and respond to security incidents in real-time.
  • Set up log aggregation and analysis tools.

10. Security Compliance and Auditing​

  • Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
  • Conduct regular security audits to validate the effectiveness of security measures.

11. Coordination with Development and Operations​

  • Integrate security into the development life cycle (DevSecOps).
  • Collaborate closely with development and operations teams to address security concerns during the development process.

12. Leadership and Governance​

  • Establish strong leadership and governance to ensure that security initiatives are prioritized and supported across the organization.
  • Regularly review and update security policies and procedures.

13. Regular Updates and Improvements​

  • Stay informed about the latest security threats and technologies.
  • Continuously update and improve security measures to adapt to evolving threats.

Conclusion​

By following a structured approach that involves people, processes, and technology, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture. This involves a combination of proactive measures, ongoing testing, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering a security-conscious culture throughout the organization.