You download a new app and decide to register for their paid services and suddenly, they ask you to input lots of information like your debit card information and address. No one wants that type of sensitive information to end up in the hands of anyone else, but hackers and other cyber attackers are always trying to access and use it. But don’t worry: thanks to web developers and cybersecurity professionals, your information is safe and sound.
Who are these web heroes? What do they do? And how do they work together? Cybersecurity is crucial in web development. Implementing encryption protocols and regularly updating software can prevent data breaches. For instance, incorporating SSL certificates ensures that sensitive information sent and received by users is encrypted, safeguarding against potential cyber-attacks.
According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is predicted to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Additionally, the 2021 IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report states that the average total cost of a data breach is $4.24 million, highlighting the financial impact that poor cybersecurity practices can have on web development projects.
What is Web Development?
When you hear web development, the first word that comes to mind is the internet, where you can visit an infinite number of websites and use a wide range of apps. Writing, correcting, and developing code, web developers work to create both websites and apps, focusing on three types of development: front end development, back end development, and full stack development.
Front end development
Front end developers focus on everything that the user interacts with on the website or app; it’s essentially the interface that we see, hear, click on, and type in.
Back end development
As the name suggests, back end works behind the scenes, making up the parts of the website or app that users don’t access. Although it’s inaccessible to users, it’s vital for websites and apps since it’s where data is kept.
Full stack development
Fluent in both front and back end development, full stack web developers work in full stack development and are the jack of all trades of web development, doing it all.
What is Cybersecurity?
Perusing the internet, you are vulnerable to a massive number of threats; however, cybersecurity exists to protect and mitigate the risk. Cybersecurity professionals do exactly that: protect internet users from the danger of information breaches and cyberattacks.
Since the information you provide to services can include sensitive information like your address and security questions, it’s no wonder that hackers try to access and use it; luckily, cybersecurity professionals and other professionals work across five fields, day and night, to defend your information.
Network security
Networks are where most attacks are carried out and it’s the responsibility of cybersecurity professionals to both block and pinpoint these attacks and threats. Their number one objective is to defend a network’s infrastructure, such as servers and routers.
Many types of solutions exist including data and access controls such as:
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Network Access Control (NAC)
Identity Access Management (IAM)
Next Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
Other advanced and multi-layered network threat prevention solutions include:
Sandboxing
Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR)
Next-Gen Antivirus (NGAV)
Cloud security
As the cloud becomes more and more ubiquitous as the main system for data storage, the protection of this data and its infrastructure has also become crucial. The cloud stores a large amount of data on services such as Amazon Web Services, Google Drive, and Microsoft Azure.
Information security
The majority of information is stored online and maintaining its safety is a constant struggle for cyber professionals; they are responsible for protecting databases and file systems from unauthorized access, alterations, and disclosure.
IoT security
IoT, or the Internet of Things, pertains to network-connected devices that exchange data based on sensor input and software; machines such as your car, refrigerators, smartwatch and Google Home are all examples of IoT devices. Ensuring the safety of these devices means securing both the devices themselves and the network to which they continuously connect.
Application security
People use software on their devices and containing weaknesses to cyberattacks, software depends on security, and the usage of infallible code. When working within this type, cybersecurity professionals are testing the code to ensure there are no flaws that malware can leverage or bypass.
What Responsibilities do Cybersecurity Professionals Have?
Cybersecurity professionals tackle cyber attacks and crimes in three major ways: threat protection, threat detection, and incident response plans.
Threat protection
Before cyber criminals can access your information, cyber professionals create a defense system that blocks and protects any potential threats. As technology advances, so do the methods that hackers employ to reach your private data; consequently, cyber professionals have to always improve and fortify their defenses although they may not be impenetrable.
Threat detention
When the defenses have been breached, your prized information is no longer safe, but how will anyone know that it happened? In addition to protecting sensitive information, another important aspect of cybersecurity is knowing when an attack has taken place. Cyber professionals stay vigilant, watching out for any breaches and analyzing the security system for any malicious activity.
Incident response plan and threat eradication
In the case of a data breach, cyber professionals also are responsible for what to do after they’ve detected a threat. An incident response plan is put in place for when a breach ever does occur, allowing professionals to not waste any time in eradicating the troublemaker.
How do Cybersecurity and Web Development Differ?
When registering for a new app or on a new website, you enter your information into their database, effectively putting the cybersecurity team to work on protecting it as the web development team is there correcting and improving the website or app.
Although web developers have a huge responsibility when creating, designing, and later improving their creations, cybersecurity teams are constantly on the lookout for any cyber attacks and data breaches and they must remain up-to-date on both coding and software. Cybersecurity defends what web development creates and because of this, they need one another.
How do Web Developers and Cybersecurity Professionals Work Together?
Web developers and cybersecurity professionals don’t often work together; however, they are two disciplines that do intersect occasionally.
Coding
Because all websites and apps are vulnerable to cyber attacks, cybersecurity professionals need to know some coding. By knowing HTML and CSS, cybersecurity professionals can get into the minds of hackers that will try to look for the flaws in the programming. Thinking like a hacker is one of the most important skills that a cybersecurity professional can have in their arsenal. The most useful languages for cyber professionals to learn include:
Java
C and C++
Python
SQL
PHP
Source: NordVPN
Threats and cyberattacks
On the other hand, web developers write code for websites and apps and should have an idea of security issues that could arise. By prioritizing cybersecurity when creating the website, web development teams are helping the cybersecurity team in doing their job and preventing the theft of user and company information.
Front end development codes for user-based protections and back end development protects the server and information, thanks to encryption. Both depend greatly on vigilance, maintenance, and high-quality coding. The following tips come in handy for coding security measures:
Include strict user input
Avoid hidden files and typical XSS mistakes
Add Captcha
Use a strong Content Security Policy
Disable iframe embedding
Compartmentalize your app
Despite not directly working alongside one another, cybersecurity and web developers have quite a bit of overlap; web developers understanding and keeping cybersecurity in mind and vice versa enhances the creation process, final product, and maintenance.
In the end, users benefit greatly from a professional with skills in both cybersecurity and web development and these disciplines are essential to the freedom and safety of the internet.
Steps to Enhance Cybersecurity in Web Development
Conduct Regular Security Audits: Identify vulnerabilities and immediately patch any found issues.
Implement Strong Encryption: Use SSL certificates and encrypt sensitive data.
Educate Your Team: Regular training on the latest security threats and prevention techniques.
Utilize Secure Coding Practices: Follow guidelines and advisories for secure coding.
Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAF): Protect against common vulnerabilities like SQL injection.
About the Author:
Juliette Carreiro is a tech writer, with two years of experience writing in-depth articles for Ironhack. Covering everything from career advice and navigating the job ladder, to the future impact of AI in the global tech space, Juliette is the go-to for Ironhack’s community of aspiring tech professionals.
