Time for a change: Elevating developers’ security skills

Source: Help Net Security Author: Help Net Security URL: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/01/13/developers-cybersecurity-skills/

  1. ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: Organizations must assess software engineers’ security skills to improve cybersecurity proficiency, enabling a proactive security culture in development.

  2. MAIN POINTS:

  3. Organizations often overlook engineers’ security skills in the interview process.

  4. Shift-left approach necessitates integrating security awareness into development workflows.

  5. Five levels of security proficiency benchmark engineers’ skill development.

  6. Cybersecurity should be considered essential across engineering career ladders.

  7. Junior engineers can manage basic security tasks with available tools.

  8. Mid-level engineers should enforce code security practices prior to reviews.

  9. Senior developers can choose security technologies and coach their teams.

  10. Tech leads should adopt proactive strategies to fortify code security programs.

  11. Enhanced cybersecurity knowledge empowers developers without hindering productivity.

  12. Industry action is needed to provide tools and education for security integration.

  13. TAKEAWAYS:

  14. Code security requires skill assessment and development from initial hiring processes.

  15. A proactive security culture can be fostered through well-appointed tools and education.

  16. Integrating security into the software development lifecycle (SDLC) is essential.

  17. A mid-level understanding of cybersecurity should be a default expectation.

  18. Productivity and security can coexist with the right training and tools.