Implementing Security in the Planning Phase

Implementing Security in the Planning Phase

Effective shift-left security begins before any code is written. During project planning, teams should conduct threat modeling exercises to identify potential security risks and design appropriate controls. This proactive approach ensures that security considerations influence architectural decisions rather than requiring costly retrofitting later.

Threat modeling workshops bring together developers, architects, and security professionals to systematically identify potential threats. Using frameworks like STRIDE (Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service, Elevation of Privilege) or PASTA (Process for Attack Simulation and Threat Analysis), teams map out data flows, trust boundaries, and potential attack vectors. These exercises produce actionable security requirements that guide subsequent development.

Security requirements should be treated as first-class citizens alongside functional requirements. User stories and acceptance criteria must include security considerations. For example, a user authentication story should specify password complexity requirements, session timeout policies, and account lockout mechanisms. By explicitly defining security requirements upfront, teams avoid the ambiguity that often leads to vulnerabilities.