ITSY 4111 CYBER SECURITY

No time for Security

anti-pattern
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................3
Topics .........................................................................................................................4
Theoretical Study .......................................................................................................5
Definition of "no time for security" .......................................................................5
Reasons and factors of "no time for security" .......................................................5
Potential impacts of "no time for security" ............................................................6
Best practices to avoid "not time for security" ......................................................6
examples in real-world ...........................................................................................8
Conclusion .................................................................................................................9
Introduction
In this report, we examine the "no time for security" antipattern, which occurs
when software developers prioritize functionality and performance over security
and neglect to implement adequate security measures in their products. We analyze
the causes and consequences of this antipattern, as well as the possible solutions
and best practices to avoid it. We also provide examples of real-world cases where
this antipattern has led to serious security breaches and compromised user data.
Our goal is to raise awareness of the importance of security in software
development and to provide guidance on how to integrate security into the
software development life cycle.
Topics
In this report we will talk about subtopics that should be covered when discussing
the "No Time for Security" anti-pattern include:
1. Causes of the pattern: Analyze the reasons behind the occurrence of this
anti-pattern, such as overemphasis on productivity and neglect of security
and protection.
2. Potential impacts: The negative impacts that can result from ignoring
security issues should be discussed, such as financial losses, data damage,
and reputation loss.
3. Proposed solutions: The steps that can be taken to overcome this anti-
pattern should be discussed, such as ensuring the development of a security
methodology and providing the necessary resources to achieve it.
4. Real-world examples: Mentioning some real-world examples that illustrate
the occurrence and impact of this anti-pattern.
Theoretical Study
Definition of "no time for security"
The "No Time for Security" anti-pattern refers to a situation where organizations
do not prioritize the security of their systems and data, and fail to allocate enough
resources to address security concerns. This anti-pattern typically arises when
organizations focus too much on productivity and achieving business goals, while
neglecting security-related issues.
The "No Time for Security" anti-pattern can lead to a variety of potential risks,
including security breaches, data theft, system destruction, and can result in
significant financial and reputation loss. It can also lead to non-compliance with
security regulations and laws, affecting the organization's ability to operate in the
future.

Reasons and factors of "no time for security"

The "No Time for Security" anti-pattern can be caused by various factors,
including:
• Overemphasis on productivity: Organizations may prioritize productivity
and speed over security, leading to a lack of attention and resources being
allocated to security concerns.
• Lack of awareness: Employees may not be sufficiently aware of security
risks and the importance of security measures, leading to a failure to
implement them effectively.
• Limited resources: Organizations may not allocate enough resources for
security measures, such as hiring security personnel or investing in security
technology.
• Insufficient planning: Organizations may not have a comprehensive
security plan or may not incorporate security considerations into their
overall business plan.
Potential impacts of "no time for security"
The consequences of the "No Time for Security" anti-pattern can be significant and
include:
• Security breaches: Neglecting security can leave systems and data
vulnerable to attack, resulting in data breaches and unauthorized access.
• Financial losses: Security breaches can result in financial losses due to theft
or destruction of data, and also impact the reputation of the organization
resulting in loss of business.
• Non-compliance: Neglecting security measures may result in non-
compliance with security regulations and laws, which can lead to penalties
or legal action against the organization.
• Damage to reputation: Security breaches can damage the reputation of the
organization and undermine customer trust, making it harder to attract and
retain customers.

Best practices to avoid "not time for security"

One of the common challenges that developers face when building secure
applications is the "no time for security" antipattern. This antipattern occurs when
security is seen as an afterthought or a hindrance to the development process, and
is either ignored or postponed until the last minute. This can lead to serious
vulnerabilities, breaches, and compliance issues that can damage the reputation and
trust of the organization.
The possible solutions and best practices to avoid this antipattern are:
• Adopt a security-by-design approach, where security is integrated into every
stage of the software development life cycle (SDLC), from planning to
testing to deployment.
• Educate developers and stakeholders on the importance and benefits of
security, and provide them with the necessary tools, resources, and guidance
to implement security best practices.
• Conduct regular security reviews, audits, and tests throughout the SDLC,
and use feedback loops to identify and fix security issues as early as
possible.
• Use standard and proven security frameworks, protocols, and libraries, such
as OAuth 2.0 for authentication and authorization, and avoid reinventing the
wheel or using outdated or insecure technologies.
• Implement a continuous security monitoring and improvement process,
where security is measured, reported, and enhanced on an ongoing basis.
examples in real-world
Some examples of real-world cases where this antipattern has led to serious
security breaches and compromised user data are:
• In 2017, Equifax, one of the largest credit reporting agencies in the US,
suffered a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of 147
million people, including names, social security numbers, birth dates,
addresses, and driver's license numbers. The breach was caused by a known
vulnerability in Apache Struts, a web application framework used by
Equifax, that was not patched for months despite being publicly disclosed.
• In 2018, Facebook admitted that a security flaw in its "View As" feature
allowed hackers to steal access tokens for 50 million accounts, potentially
giving them full control over the profiles. The flaw was caused by a
combination of three bugs in Facebook's code that were introduced in July
2017 and remained undetected until September 2018.
• In 2019, Capital One, a major US bank and credit card issuer, disclosed that
a hacker had accessed the personal information of 106 million customers and
applicants in the US and Canada, including names, addresses, phone
numbers, email addresses, dates of birth, and self-reported income. The
hacker also obtained credit card numbers and bank account numbers for
some customers. The breach was enabled by a misconfigured firewall that
allowed an attacker to exploit a server-side request forgery (SSRF)
vulnerability in a web application hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Conclusion
The "no time for security" antipattern is a common mistake that many
organizations make when designing and developing computer systems. This
antipattern occurs when security is treated as an afterthought or a low priority, and
not as an integral part of the system architecture and development process. This
can lead to serious vulnerabilities, breaches, and compliance issues that can
damage the reputation and trust of the organization.
In this report, we have analyzed the causes and consequences of this antipattern,
and proposed some best practices to avoid it. Some of the main causes are: lack of
awareness, skills, or resources for security; unrealistic deadlines and expectations;
and insufficient testing and validation of security features. Some of the main
consequences are: increased risk of cyberattacks and data loss; legal and regulatory
penalties; and loss of customer confidence and loyalty.
To avoid this antipattern, we recommend that organizations adopt a security-by-
design approach, where security is considered from the beginning and throughout
the system lifecycle. This involves: establishing a clear security policy and
governance; educating and training staff on security principles and practices;
allocating adequate time and budget for security; implementing secure coding
standards and tools; applying appropriate security controls and mechanisms; and
conducting regular security audits and reviews.
By following these best practices, organizations can ensure that their systems are
secure, reliable, and compliant, and that they can deliver value to their customers
and stakeholders.