Defense in Depth Strategy

Security professionals advocate for "defense in depth"—implementing multiple security layers so that if one fails, others still provide protection. It's like having both a lock on your door and a security system; if someone picks the lock, the alarm still alerts you. In web applications, this might mean validating input on the client side for user experience, validating again on the server for security, using parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection, and monitoring logs for suspicious activity.

This layered approach acknowledges that no single security measure is perfect. Hackers are creative and persistent, constantly finding new ways to bypass defenses. By implementing multiple overlapping protections, you ensure that a single mistake or overlooked vulnerability doesn't lead to complete compromise. The OWASP Top 10 provides a framework for implementing these layers effectively, focusing on the areas where they're most needed.