Security is everyone's responsibility. This guide covers the essential practices every developer should know.
Authentication
Use established libraries
Never roll your own authentication. Use battle-tested libraries and services.
Implement MFA
Multi-factor authentication should be available for all users and required for admin accounts.
Secure session management
- Use secure, httpOnly cookies
- Implement proper session expiration
- Rotate session tokens after login
Authorization
Principle of least privilege
Users and services should only have the permissions they absolutely need.
Validate on the server
Never trust client-side checks. Always validate permissions server-side.
Data Protection
Encrypt at rest and in transit
TLS everywhere. Encrypt sensitive data in your database.
Sanitize inputs
Protect against SQL injection, XSS, and other injection attacks.
Audit logging
Log security-relevant events. Who did what, when.
Dependencies
Keep dependencies updated
Automate dependency updates with tools like Dependabot.
Audit regularly
Run security audits as part of your CI/CD pipeline.
Response Plan
Have a plan before you need one
Document how you'll respond to security incidents. Practice it.
Security is a journey, not a destination. Stay vigilant, keep learning, and assume you'll be breached—then design accordingly.