What is meant by "security by design"?

The concept of "security by design" refers to the practice of integrating security measures and considerations into the software development process right from the initial design stages. This proactive approach ensures that security is a fundamental aspect of the software rather than an afterthought that is addressed once development is completed.

By embedding security features and addressing potential vulnerabilities early in the design phase, developers can create more robust software that can better withstand threats and attacks. This methodology emphasizes holistic security practices, including secure coding standards, threat modeling, and regular security reviews throughout the development lifecycle, which ultimately leads to more secure applications and systems.

In contrast, bolting on security after development—like adding it as a patch—often results in incomplete measures that may overlook critical vulnerabilities. Additionally, while user training is important for maintaining security, it is not the core principle of "security by design." Lastly, while considering cost reduction is always a factor in software development, the main focus of "security by design" is fundamentally about embedding security into the architecture and phases of development rather than strictly looking for cost efficiencies.