Software Security

Pavan Bagde

In today’s threat landscape, developers and security teams must lean on trusted frameworks, tools, and industry practices to ensure their systems are resilient against evolving cyber threats.

This post is a list or pointer to some of the most respected and widely adopted tools and standards in the software security ecosystem.

MITRE ATT&CK: Understanding the Adversary

Website: https://attack.mitre.org

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a globally accessible knowledge base that catalogs adversary tactics and techniques based on real world observations. It provides invaluable insight into how attackers operate at various stages of the cyber kill chain, helping defenders anticipate and detect malicious behavior.

Use cases include:

  • Threat modeling
  • Security operations (SOC) playbook development
  • Detection and response engineering
  • Red/blue/purple team exercises

MITRE ATT&CK is a cornerstone for understanding how real-world attacks unfold, a must know for defenders and architects alike.

OWASP ASVS: A Blueprint for Secure Development

Website: https://owasp.org/www-project-application-security-verification-standard/

The OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS) is a framework of security requirements that serves as both a checklist and a development guide. It helps:

  • Developers build applications with security in mind from day one
  • Security teams test applications against a clear and consistent baseline
  • Auditors verify the robustness of applications

ASVS breaks down verification requirements into three levels, depending on the sensitivity of the application. Whether you’re working on a small web app or a critical financial system, ASVS provides the scaffolding for secure coding.

Trivy: Scanning for Known Vulnerabilities (CVEs)

GitHub: https://github.com/aquasecurity/trivy

Trivy is a powerful and easy to use vulnerability scanner developed by Aqua Security. It detects Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) in:

  • Container images
  • File systems
  • Git repositories
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) such as Terraform and Kubernetes manifests

Trivy integrates seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines, enabling shift-left security by identifying issues before code reaches production. Scanning for CVEs is a minimum standard for security hygiene, and Trivy makes it accessible with minimal overhead.

Reflections on Trust

“To what extent should one trust a statement that a program is free of Trojan horses? Perhaps it is more important to trust the people who wrote the software.”
— Ken Thompson, Reflections on Trusting Trust (1984)

No matter how many tools we use, security ultimately comes down to trust in the code, the processes, and the people. This timeless insight reminds us that while automation and standards are essential, software security is also a human issue.

Other Noteworthy Tools and Resources

If you’re looking to further strengthen your software security posture, consider integrating some of the following into your stack:

Final Thoughts

Securing software is a continuous process that spans from design through deployment. Adopting industry standard tools and vulnerability scanners lays the foundation for robust, proactive security.

By embedding these, It is not just checking boxes, It is building software that users, clients, and partners can trust.