Building an Application Security Programme with OWASP SAMM and DSOMM
As cyber threats grow in complexity and frequency, application security is no longer optional—it’s an essential part of every organization’s digital strategy. The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) provides invaluable tools to help businesses strengthen their application security posture.
Two standout frameworks, the Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM) and the DevSecOps Maturity Model (DSOMM), offer practical pathways to integrate security into both traditional and DevOps-driven workflows. This guide provides actionable steps to leverage these frameworks and build a robust, sustainable application security programme.
Why OWASP SAMM and DSOMM?
OWASP SAMM is a structured framework designed to embed security practices into the software development lifecycle (SDLC). It helps organizations achieve a balanced approach where security becomes a foundational aspect of software creation, rather than an afterthought.
OWASP DSOMM, on the other hand, focuses on integrating security into DevOps workflows. It emphasizes continuous security practices that align with the agility and speed of modern development pipelines. Together, these frameworks provide a comprehensive blueprint for addressing application security across traditional and DevOps environments.
A Practical Guide to Building an Application Security Programme
Stage 1: Assessment
Objective: Establish the current state of software development and DevOps security practices.
Action Steps:
Use OWASP SAMM to evaluate your organization’s existing software development and security practices. Identify areas of strength and improvement.
Leverage OWASP DSOMM to assess how well security practices are integrated into your DevOps pipelines.
Document findings to create a clear baseline for progress.
Stage 2: Strategy Formation
Objective: Define a clear roadmap based on assessment results.
Action Steps:
Develop short-term and long-term application security goals.
Identify measurable performance metrics, such as vulnerability remediation times or security test coverage, to track progress.
Align objectives with business priorities to ensure organizational buy-in.
Stage 3: Capacity Building
Objective: Equip teams with the skills and mindset needed for effective application security.
Action Steps:
Conduct regular training sessions on secure coding practices tailored to your tech stack. OWASP Secure Coding Practices can be an excellent resource.
Foster a culture of security awareness where every team member understands their role in maintaining application security.
Recognize and reward proactive security practices to encourage engagement.
Stage 4: Security Integration
Objective: Seamlessly embed security practices throughout the development lifecycle.
Action Steps:
Implement SAMM-recommended practices such as threat modelling, secure coding guidelines, and security reviews. Refer to the OWASP Threat Modeling Cheat Sheet for guidance.
Automated security tests should be incorporated into CI/CD pipelines as suggested by DSOMM. This “shift-left” approach ensures vulnerabilities are addressed early in development.
Use tools like OWASP ZAP for dynamic application security testing (DAST) and SonarQube for static application security testing (SAST).
Stage 5: Continuous Monitoring and Improvement
Objective: Maintain a dynamic, adaptable application security programme.
Action Steps:
Regularly review metrics defined in Stage 2 to evaluate the effectiveness of your security efforts.
Stay ahead of evolving threats by periodically revisiting and updating SAMM and DSOMM assessments.
Conduct post-mortem reviews of security incidents to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
Stage 6: Collaboration and Feedback Loops
Objective: Foster cross-functional collaboration to create a resilient security posture.
Action Steps:
Establish open communication between development, operations, and security teams to ensure alignment.
Implement a feedback loop where insights from security incidents, code reviews, and user reports are shared and acted upon.
Host regular security retrospectives to discuss progress and challenges.
Why Continuous Improvement Is Key
Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field, and application security programmes must adapt to stay ahead of emerging threats. Regularly recalibrating your approach based on SAMM and DSOMM ensures that your security practices remain relevant and effective.
By embedding security into every stage of the development lifecycle and fostering a culture of collaboration, organizations can create resilient systems that are prepared to face modern cyber threats.
Conclusion
Building a strong application security programme requires a combination of the right frameworks, clear strategies, and ongoing effort. OWASP SAMM and DSOMM provide a comprehensive foundation for organizations to fortify their application security posture.
When security is treated as a shared responsibility across development, operations, and security teams, it becomes more than just a protective measure—it becomes an enabler for innovation and growth. With SAMM and DSOMM guiding the way, your organization can confidently face the challenges of today’s cyber threat landscape.
Key Takeaways:
Application security is a necessity in today’s threat environment.
Leverage OWASP SAMM to integrate security into the SDLC and DSOMM to enhance security in DevOps.
Follow a structured approach: assess, strategize, build capacity, integrate, monitor, and collaborate.
Continuous improvement is essential for staying ahead of cyber threats.
By following this practical guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating a robust, sustainable application security programme.
