How can you train developers and users to prioritize data security?

As a startup founder I get asked this question by clients "What happens to my images? will they be used for marketing? Will other random people have access to it? How safe are these in your system? How do I remove them?" Context: We provide a solution to manage big fat indian weddings optimally and our clients are from all over India and from varied backgrounds. So If you ask me Why data security matters? - Its because the customers & clients of varied backgrounds are now sensitive towards how their data is being used. Ofcourse we always had this responsibility to safe guard client data but now more than ever the client cares and will pick a provider who promises better protection (so now you have a business usecase as well ;)

The architecture design of any solution should start with thoughts about security, scalability, disaster recovery, and the business requirements regarding PII, data security, and its exposure. This should be the base to build further upon. Resolving and adding this in the middle or end of the implementation process usually ends with much refactoring and unpredicted delivery delays, not to say that delaying proper "fixing" will lead to security breaches (although deadlines will be covered with questionable quality beneath the surface).

Application design must include more than use-cases. It must include expectations for application availability, and not 100% uptime, but expectations for the amount of time to return-to-service and specifications about the integrity of in-flight transactions during an outage. Application design must also specify who has what capabilities, and suggest how that is controlled and by whom. Application testing, of course, must be generated from the application design specifications, to ensure that the designed expectations are met or exceeded.

Practical way of approaching this matter is - Observe the nature and the culture of the work environment. - Describe in simplest terms how personal data & work data should not be mixed in anyway possible... - Then set policies & procedures...

Data security is a critical aspect in today's digital age for several compelling reasons: 1. Protection of Sensitive Information. 2. Preventing Financial Loss. 3. Compliance with Regulations

There are developers who are just doing a job, and there are developers who have a passion for what they are building. Most of the latter are keen to learn about attack vectors and how to mitigate risk in their products. A lot if it comes down to pride in your work; that you, or your team has engineered a product that can't be easily exploited. Even just to get the ball rolling, having static code analysis during builds and/or PR discussions that cannot be bypassed would start to build better habits of owning the application, not just from a functionality perspective, but also from a security and safety perspective.

Coding standards are must and should be documented perfectly. Developers should be trained on the following product standards first and then functional parts. Be it maintaining code history, writing styles, architectural specifications etc must be inline with standards set.

Developers who work hard to maintain data security in my experience are the ones who's seen first hand how difficult it is to recover from attacks. Simulate one by having other developers/teams security audit each other's work in a safe environment. It's important to establish a culture of trust beforehand to ensure it's a healthy competition and not division. We developers are a proud bunch and most learn the most by actual (or close to) experience in addition to courses and trainings.

Developers are the architects of data security. Equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and best practices is key. From coding securely to embracing encryption and regular updates, empowering developers with robust data security guidelines ensures the foundation of every digital structure they build remains unassailable.

Interesting topic to discuss. Here addition from my perspective. First of all, in my opinion we can't train developer if the developer is not trainable / coacheble. Once a developer open his mind to be trainable, I start with the end. Why I mean by that is, what a developer gonna be in 5-10 years? Does developer want to be individual contributor? Or management role? Once the one able to picture it, then easier to work on the ladder path. Last point, in order to work on the ladder path, nothing can be done other than practice practice and practice. For example build your own project or working with any open source community with learning mindset first. The more problem you solve, the more knowlege you gain.

The end user is an entity that will try to get the most out of the applications, but also if an application does not have the correct UX/UI design, the user will continue using it, but being less productive.

About training users an example: Develop user-friendly resources, such as infographics, posters, and short videos, to visually reinforce key data security messages.

Training users effectively involves providing clear instructions, hands-on practice, and ongoing support. Here's a concise guide on how to train users: 1. Create User-Friendly Materials. 2. Hands-On Training 3. Utilize Online Learning Platforms:

As a dedicated trainer, I employ a hands-on approach to equip developers with robust data security skills. Through comprehensive training sessions, I focus on secure coding practices—emphasizing parameterized queries, encryption, and authentication. Interactive discussions and real-world scenarios enhance practical understanding. Collaborative code reviews and audits provide constructive feedback. To ensure continuous learning, I curate resources on evolving threats. Open communication fosters a proactive and security-conscious mindset. This multifaceted training strategy empowers developers to confidently implement cutting-edge security measures, contributing significantly to the resilience of our applications.

I am thrilled to share that I successfully implemented an accounting software at the user-level, which is currently being utilized. However, I have noticed that some users are experiencing unease while using the new software, primarily due to the need to learn its usage rules. I am confident that with proper motivation and training, those who will work at the root or entry-level can overcome these challenges. Collaborating with regular users and having regular discussions with top management can greatly aid in the successful implementation of new software systems. I am enthusiastic about the potential benefits this software can bring and am committed to ensuring a positive experience for all users.

Here are several ways to gauge and improve data security: Code Reviews and Static Analysis, Integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline Testing, Authentication and Authorization Metrics, Monitoring and Logging, User Access Reviews, Third-Party Risk Management,...

we should implement tools and reports that check for any data embiguity or data leak or some code residing inside data. this can be achieved by writing an automated service that validates the data depending upon the businesses

Assess data security with regular audits, penetration testing, and vulnerability scans. Monitor access logs, encryption effectiveness, and compliance with industry standards. Gauge user awareness and conduct incident response drills to ensure a robust security posture.

1. Ensuring the security of data requires a comprehensive approach, which involves utilizing data classification software to automatically scan and classify sensitive data in repositories. 2. Implementing strict access controls is crucial, allowing users access only to the necessary assets and revoking access when it is no longer needed. 3. Monitoring privileged account access closely and setting up real-time alerts for any suspicious activity is essential. 4. Providing security awareness training to employees is vital, as it helps them understand password hygiene and identify suspicious messages and calls. 5. Conducting regular security audits helps identify vulnerabilities and ensures compliance with security policies.

Pentesting your application and database is one way to gauge data security. This will make it easier to find any holes that might allow data breaches. To perform the pentest, you can employ an expert who will also suggest fixes for any gaps they find.

Enhance data security by implementing strong encryption, regular software updates, access controls, and employee training on cybersecurity best practices. Conduct risk assessments, monitor network activity, and enforce robust password policies. Regularly audit and update security measures to adapt to evolving threats.

Collaborate with security experts or hire external security consultants for periodic security assessments and audits. External perspectives can uncover vulnerabilities that may be overlooked internally. Encourage a security-conscious culture within your team and organization. Emphasize the shared responsibility of everyone in maintaining a secure development environment. Dynamic application security testing (DAST). Regularly monitor logs for unusual or suspicious activities...

Data security in development can be improved if you add a dedicated security engineer to the team. Every developper should have a good basic information security understanding but the past shows us that this is not enough. Additionally one should focus on devops security, i.e. embedding dedicated security testing into the devops chain.

Being IS0 27001 accredited is one way for an organisation to support data security. Through its focus on people, process, and technology, the standard aids an organisation in securely handling its information.

Minimize code you don't have control over. Security for code developed in house needs good developers. External code or components not developed in house try to not use them in a way that they can be used to breach your security.

Yes, an organization's culture towards data security is an important step towards managing risk. Unless people don't have a risk manager mindset, it is quite difficult to tighten the security at every step and at every layer. When the culture of security first is promoted right from the highest to the lowest level of hierarchy with utmost importance, we will see it ingrained in code, infrastructure, and deployment as well.

A mudança em relação a cultura de segurança de dados é algo que leva tempo, tratamos de assuntos novos para todos e mudança não é confortável, mas no mundo atual é necessária uma atenção especial a segurança dos nossos dados.

emphasizing the importance of data security is crucial in today's digital landscape. A comprehensive approach that integrates technical solutions with a cultural shift ensures a more resilient defense against evolving threats. By prioritizing a data security vision, promoting open communication, and recognizing achievements, organizations can fortify their defenses and create a proactive mindset toward data protection.

An example is to implement a training with hands on, the majority of these trainings are watch some slides, answer a quiz but people just learn by heart instead of understand the risk to don't learn how to prevent many real situations. That could contribute to a culture real change.

An organisation can promote a security culture by taking the time to create a risk register about data security and reviewing and updating it on a regular basis. Regular awareness training for an organization's staff can go hand in side with this.

At the beginning, in this extremely dangerous digital age, all possible measures must be taken so that the user and developer can secure his data and the data of the company he works for, and also follow all laws and regulations established by the company to protect privacy and data, and most importantly, stay informed of new data security on an ongoing basis.