November 30, 2023 at 06:06AM
The US cybersecurity agency CISA launched Secure by Design (SbD) alerts, encouraging software manufacturers to build products with proactive security measures to mitigate vulnerabilities, particularly in web management interfaces. The new alerts focus on vendor practices that can globally reduce harm, emphasizing the need for default security features, customer security outcome ownership, and transparent vulnerability disclosures.
Meeting Takeaways:
1. The US cybersecurity agency CISA has introduced Secure by Design (SbD) alerts, part of a new initiative to emphasize the importance of integrating security into the software development lifecycle.
2. SbD alerts aim to inform about how vendors’ decisions can have a global impact on reducing harm rather than focusing on post-threat response.
3. The initial SbD alert highlights the risk of malicious activity targeting web management interfaces and advocates for the implementation of security best practices and the elimination of certain vulnerabilities to protect customers.
4. CISA’s guidance encourages software manufacturers to adopt secure-by-design principles to proactively prevent vulnerability exploitation, particularly in web management interfaces.
5. Two key principles for improvement:
– **Taking Ownership of Customer Security Outcomes**: This involves application hardening, enhanced features, and secure default settings. Manufacturers are urged to consider the security implications of the default settings of their products, actively enforce security best practices, disable risky features by default, and educate customers on the risks of altering default configurations.
– **Embracing Radical Transparency and Accountability**: Manufacturers should be open in disclosing vulnerabilities, tracking root causes, and providing detailed information with CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures). This transparency benefits customers and the broader software industry by sharing lessons learned.
6. CISA suggests that manufacturers should not only rely on quick fixes but also aim to understand and eliminate recurring types of flaws in their products.
7. CISA encourages vendors to publish a secure-by-design roadmap that illustrates a strategic approach to cybersecurity, rather than just tactical controls, and to redefine their role in ensuring customer security.
8. Related materials indicate a federal push for secure-by-design principles and the latest national cybersecurity strategy release. These can likely provide further context and guidelines for developers.
Action Items:
– Vendors and software manufacturers should review the CISA’s recommendations and consider incorporating the secure-by-design principles into their software development practices.
– Companies should assess their current product offerings and default settings for potential security improvements.
– A secure-by-design roadmap should be developed and published by vendors to demonstrate their commitment to proactive cybersecurity.
– Vendors must commit to transparent communication and accountability concerning vulnerabilities and security defects in their products.