The structured documentation that addresses building software with security considerations integrated from the initial stages of the development lifecycle is the focus. Such a document provides guidelines, methodologies, and best practices for incorporating security into every phase, from design and coding to testing and deployment. A typical instance outlines secure coding standards, threat modeling techniques, and penetration testing procedures, often available in a portable document format.
Employing such an approach minimizes vulnerabilities, reduces the risk of costly security breaches, and enhances the overall robustness of applications. Historically, security was often an afterthought, addressed only after the software was fully developed. However, a shift towards proactive security measures has gained momentum as organizations recognize the increasing sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks, resulting in improved security outcomes. This proactive approach also reduces remediation costs, as identifying and fixing vulnerabilities earlier in the process is significantly less expensive than addressing them in a production environment.