560,000 New Cyber Threats are Discovered Daily: Is Poor Programming The Problem?
The statistics vary, but according to Statista, in 2023, an astounding 560,000 new cyber threats were being detected daily. That's over 17 million each month. The same statistics also show the total number of malware attacks to have risen by 87% in the last decade. Are we out of control, and is poor software programming the issue? Read on to find out.
Poor Programming and Cyber Threats
According to the Software Engineering Institute, 90% of all reported security incidents happen because of software design or code flaws and exploits.
Have we already answered the question in the title? We think so. Poor programming has a massive, glaringly overwhelming part to play in the rise in cyber threats. In fact, it's almost all its fault. According to research, defects, bugs, and logic flaws are the top causes of commonly exploited software weaknesses.
These vulnerabilities often result from just a few common programming mistakes. When developers fail to follow secure coding standards, they create backdoors that will be utilized by online criminals, whether intentionally or otherwise.
Not only does this affect obscure issues or complex ones, but even simple errors can have devastating consequences. For example, a single flaw in popular software like Dropbox can expose users to endless breaches.
And sure, we can protect ourselves by ensursing we’re buying from reputable software developers, reading reviews, or using a VPN (click here for a top-rated VPN), but how sophisticated are hackers becoming?
Shifting Left in the Software Development Lifecycle
Shifting left is a concept central to the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), emphasizing the early integration of security practices during development. Creating awareness among developers about what should be done at code time rather than after deployment is becoming essential.
However, effective implementation requires going beyond mere lip service toward security. There must be dynamic, contextually relevant training. Developers need to know what constitutes secure coding and why such practice is critical. And even then, hackers are likely to get into the system because they're simply so much more sophisticated now.
Developers must learn comprehensive defensive security measures, including proper and secure configurations, but that's going back down to the education and ongoing education developers need to understand the new complexities of hacking. A good training program should cover offensive and defensive techniques to create a mindset where developers think like attackers to anticipate possible threats.
The Importance of High-Quality Code
High-quality code is the foundation for secure software development. Is that always the case? Clearly not. Code that functions well and looks good doesn't necessarily mean it's secure. And it's the same for code that takes care of security issues but then introduces new loopholes or breaks the software.
Programmers must develop an all-around approach to coding where security and functioning are rigorously tested. But even so, hackers have more sophisticated ways than ever to hack through software. Programmers must continuously learn about emerging threats and shifting best practices.
TikTok’s recent drama with the high-profile account hackings proves 'hacktivists' can hack sophisticated systems.
Conclusion
What do you think of the rise in cyber threats? Who knows, maybe you've had your data stolen because of poorly programmed software. You can assume that, anyway, considering it accounts for 91% of cyber threats.
