Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2024.  Read them in this 16th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.

Six Software Security Predictions for 2024

By Vince Arneja, Chief Product Officer for CodeSecure

In 2023, software security made headlines, fueled by notable software supply chain security incidents that underscored vulnerabilities in open source and third party components, such as the Log4j and OpenSSL. This is forcing a transformative shift towards integrated security measures, streamlined workflows, and enhanced transparency to deliver greater trust and accountability in product development.

Here are my six software security predictions for 2024:

1.  Accelerated Adoption of DevSecOps: The fast-tracking of DevSecOps adoption in embedded systems design implies a strategic shift towards integrating security measures right from the inception to the deployment of software. For embedded software developers, this means that security will no longer be an afterthought or a separate phase but an integrated part of their daily workflow. As they code, they'll constantly validate their implementations against security protocols. For organizations, this continuous integration of security ensures that the embedded software in their products is much less prone to vulnerabilities, resulting in increased trust from end-users and a reduction in costly post-release patches and updates.

2.  Greater Integration Across Tool Chains: As the need for DevSecOps grows, so will the integration across different development and security tools. Embedded software developers will experience a more streamlined workflow, where security checks and validations are automated across the toolchain, reducing manual interventions and potential errors. Organizations will benefit from reduced time-to-market for their products as fewer security issues will emerge late in the development cycle, ensuring timely product releases without compromising on security.

3.  Unified Solutions: The movement towards vendors offering comprehensive security solutions will simplify decision-making processes for organizations. Instead of managing multiple security solutions which can lead to potential overlaps or gaps, organizations can rely on a unified platform. This results in better resource allocation for embedded software developers and a consistent security standard across all products, reducing the risk of any weak links.

4.  Increase in Demand for Visibility: The call for deeper insights into all software, down to binary code analysis, means that embedded software developers will need to comply with coding standards for security and safety. They'll be expected to be more transparent about their coding practices, and any external software integrations will undergo stringent checks. For organizations, this transparency can foster trust with stakeholders and end-users, as they can vouch for the security of every software component in their products.

5.  Rise of Software Bills of Material (SBOMs): As SBoMs become more critical, embedded software developers will need tools that can efficiently generate detailed SBOMs. This means that their development environments will evolve to capture and present this data at various stages of development which can be accomplished using binary composition analysis. For organizations, SBOMs provide a clear audit trail of software components, ensuring traceability. If vulnerabilities are discovered, they can quickly identify affected products, leading to rapid responses and solutions, thereby reducing potential damages.

6.  Role of Chief Product Security Officer (CPSO): The emerging importance of the CPSO role signifies an organizational commitment to product security. For embedded software developers, this means having a dedicated leadership team guiding and prioritizing security practices. The CPSO can also serve as an advocate, ensuring that developers have the resources and training they need. For organizations, the CPSO not only reinforces their stance on security to the public but also offers a clear line of responsibility, ensuring that there's always someone accountable for the security of the products in real-world scenarios, which can greatly mitigate potential legal and reputational risks.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Vince Arneja brings over 20 years of experience in executive and senior level technical product management positions with the last 17 years focused on product strategy and management in the domains of application, cloud, mobile, endpoint and network security. Vince has a very successful track record, both in being part of a private company that went public and working for five private companies that were ultimately acquired.

Vince’s responsibilities include leading product strategy, defining corporate product roadmaps, pricing and positioning. Previously, he was at 5nine, OPAQ and Arxan where he lead the Product function for almost 9 years which resulted a nine figure exit to TA Associates. Prior to Arxan, he was at Sigaba, a leading email encryption provider acquired by Proofpoint, where he was an executive leading Government and Commercial Product Management.

Vince also serves as an advisor to various Cyber Security companies in the DC Metro Area and the Bay Area. He started his career as a software developer and was part of an IPO after working towards a degree in CIS. He is also a graduate of various Executive Management Programs at University of California, Berkeley.