The Truth Is Always in the Code: Why Security Starts With Visibility

As the saying goes, “you can’t protect what you can’t see.”

This rule holds true across every scenario pertaining to cybersecurity, and software security is no exception. The software security field is ever-changing, but one principle remains constant: the truth is always in the code. While a company’s documentation can become outdated, and people may not always have an accurate recollection of code changes, the code itself never lies. 

This is why code visibility is vital for enterprises — especially in the age of AI. Security teams have always faced pressure to keep up with evolving threats, but the lightning-fast pace of AI development has created an entirely new level of complexity and urgency when it comes to threat mitigation.

AI-powered tools are a game-changer for accelerating software development, but they have also given rise to new and difficult-to-detect security gaps. Users of AI-driven technologies — like coding assistants, for example — may not always be aware of the risks they’re introducing into a company’s codebase via AI-generated code. 

Having visibility into code gives security practitioners the insight they need to determine exactly what they need to secure and people they need to secure it. Armed with this information, they can execute on their most critical job functions, like identifying security champions within the company, providing organization-wide cybersecurity education, and reducing mean time to remediate (MTTR).

Let’s take a closer look at why code visibility is crucial (and how to achieve it), and how security professionals can get the entire organization on board to foster a stronger security culture.

Getting the Full Picture Requires the Right Tools

To effectively secure an enterprise’s technology stack, security professionals need insight into all the tools and technologies the company is using: its programming languages, architectural frameworks, SaaS providers, and any other third-party dependencies. Additionally, they need the ability to “time travel” across this information to see how it has changed over time — whether it’s a change to the codebase that occurred yesterday or a change that took place several years ago. Adopting tools that enable code visibility — such as an application security posture management (ASPM) platform — is key for gaining this level of insight and therefore mitigating threats. 

Without a deep ASPM solution, it’s nearly impossible to visualize an enterprise’s current codebase and keep a pulse on any changes. For example, years ago I was in charge of product privacy for a website-building platform, where I had to rely on my personal knowledge of the company’s architecture to secure it. One day, one of our developers let me know about a legacy system in our tech stack that I never would’ve been aware of otherwise. Thankfully, my personal connection with this person, coupled with our shared mission of doing right by our users, led them to come forward so we could secure the system. But the point is, it’s impossible for security professionals to keep track of all of this information on their own, in addition to carrying out their other responsibilities. It’s a superhuman job that requires an automated solution to keep track of codebase changes, analyze risk, and alert security teams to any issues. 

This is especially important for larger enterprise companies that have experienced various mergers and acquisitions. With each new merger or acquisition, visibility becomes increasingly fragmented as different company’s unique tools and technologies are brought together. These organizations may also have different source control managers that don’t play well together, further adding to the visibility challenge. Companies need a solution that sits on top of all of their different tools, source control managers, and cloud providers to provide comprehensive visibility. 

Fostering a Stronger Security Culture Through Enhanced Code Visibility

Code visibility is essential for security professionals to build trust and credibility with their colleagues, which in turn trickles down into fostering brand trust with customers. As security practitioners, a large part of our job is getting everyone in the organization on board for the shared mission of becoming more secure and privacy-aware. But without deep knowledge and insight into the company’s architecture and codebase, we lose all credibility. Again; you can’t protect what you can’t see. 

Like any security-related initiative, the first step is getting executive buy-in. Folks at the top need to understand why having both real-time and retroactive visibility into the company’s codebase is critical for maintaining security. They also need to understand what the downstream positive effects will be for both end users and the company’s bottom line. Once they’re on board, security practitioners can implement tools, like an ASPM platform, to make this possible. From there, they can work with other teams — like legal and R&D — to ensure application security is baked into every step of the software development and management process. 

Speed is the name of the game when it comes to software development, and AI is pushing companies to move even faster. It’s virtually impossible for security practitioners to keep tabs on their codebase manually in this rapidly changing environment. Tools like ASPM platforms give security teams the visibility they need to uphold security without hindering innovation. With the right solutions in place, security teams can stay ahead of emerging threats, foster a stronger security culture, and keep key stakeholders happy.