Current secure code training is letting developers down
As data breaches and their costs continue to rise, the volume of code produced in our world is too big for security experts to handle alone. Companies need developers with secure coding skills – and developers know they need these skills to advance their careers. But current secure code training is letting them down. So what do developers want when it comes to secure code training? To answer this question, let’s look at some insights from a recent study on developers’ attitudes towards secure coding, secure code practices, and security operations, conducted by Secure Code Warrior with Evans Data Corp*. (Download whitepaper here).
When it comes to the kind of training developers want, the answer is crystal clear. 75% of developers preferred structured on-the-job training, finding it the most effective and satisfying way to learn. And when it comes to what that training should include, developers have some very clear and specific asks:
- 65% say they need training in language-specific vulnerabilities
- 65% want more training in the OWASP Top 10
- Many also want a focus on compliance security frameworks, including NIST (58%), CIS (52%) and PCI DSS (50%)
- 78% want informal peer coaching and guidance as part of that training
But while developers strongly prefer structured coursework to unstructured learning, the way that coursework is delivered is critical. Of course, this raises another crucial question:
How do developers prefer to learn?
Developers don't want to sit around listening to lecturers – they want to get their hands on stuff and try it for themselves. They want a focus on practical applications – something current training programs sorely lack. When asked to identify how company-provided training could improve, 30% of respondents revealed that they would like that training focused on practical applications, particularly authentic work scenarios.
Developer training needs a human-led approach that offers guided learning pathways that include 'gamified' coding challenges that are both hands-on and language:framework-specific. Role-specified ‘gamified’ training gets developers highly engaged, with configurable learning modules that allow an organisation to target developer learning towards specific vulnerabilities.
To find out how to make software security an intrinsic part of your development process with structured, skill-based pathways that deliver the training developers want, request a demo now.
"The interactive simulations help you to identify security vulnerabilities in code, challenge you to think critically and find the solution or multiple solutions. I've seen code through a new lens, and being hands-on has brought so much joy!"
Software Engineer, Financial Services
*Shifting from reaction to prevention: The changing face of application security. Secure Code Warrior and Evans Data Corp. 2020
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As data breaches and their costs continue to rise, the volume of code produced in our world is too big for security experts to handle alone. Companies need developers with secure coding skills – and developers know they need these skills to advance their careers. But current secure code training is letting them down. So what do developers want when it comes to secure code training?
Secure Code Warrior makes secure coding a positive and engaging experience for developers as they increase their skills. We guide each coder along their own preferred learning pathway, so that security-skilled developers become the everyday superheroes of our connected world.
Secure Code Warrior is here for your organization to help you secure code across the entire software development lifecycle and create a culture in which cybersecurity is top of mind. Whether you’re an AppSec Manager, Developer, CISO, or anyone involved in security, we can help your organization reduce risks associated with insecure code.
Book a demo
Secure Code Warrior makes secure coding a positive and engaging experience for developers as they increase their skills. We guide each coder along their own preferred learning pathway, so that security-skilled developers become the everyday superheroes of our connected world.
Secure Code Warrior builds a culture of security-driven developers by giving them the skills to code securely. Our flagship Agile Learning Platform delivers relevant skills-based pathways, hands-on missions, and contextual tools for developers to rapidly learn, build, and apply their skills to write secure code at speed.
As data breaches and their costs continue to rise, the volume of code produced in our world is too big for security experts to handle alone. Companies need developers with secure coding skills – and developers know they need these skills to advance their careers. But current secure code training is letting them down. So what do developers want when it comes to secure code training? To answer this question, let’s look at some insights from a recent study on developers’ attitudes towards secure coding, secure code practices, and security operations, conducted by Secure Code Warrior with Evans Data Corp*. (Download whitepaper here).
When it comes to the kind of training developers want, the answer is crystal clear. 75% of developers preferred structured on-the-job training, finding it the most effective and satisfying way to learn. And when it comes to what that training should include, developers have some very clear and specific asks:
- 65% say they need training in language-specific vulnerabilities
- 65% want more training in the OWASP Top 10
- Many also want a focus on compliance security frameworks, including NIST (58%), CIS (52%) and PCI DSS (50%)
- 78% want informal peer coaching and guidance as part of that training
But while developers strongly prefer structured coursework to unstructured learning, the way that coursework is delivered is critical. Of course, this raises another crucial question:
How do developers prefer to learn?
Developers don't want to sit around listening to lecturers – they want to get their hands on stuff and try it for themselves. They want a focus on practical applications – something current training programs sorely lack. When asked to identify how company-provided training could improve, 30% of respondents revealed that they would like that training focused on practical applications, particularly authentic work scenarios.
Developer training needs a human-led approach that offers guided learning pathways that include 'gamified' coding challenges that are both hands-on and language:framework-specific. Role-specified ‘gamified’ training gets developers highly engaged, with configurable learning modules that allow an organisation to target developer learning towards specific vulnerabilities.
To find out how to make software security an intrinsic part of your development process with structured, skill-based pathways that deliver the training developers want, request a demo now.
"The interactive simulations help you to identify security vulnerabilities in code, challenge you to think critically and find the solution or multiple solutions. I've seen code through a new lens, and being hands-on has brought so much joy!"
Software Engineer, Financial Services
*Shifting from reaction to prevention: The changing face of application security. Secure Code Warrior and Evans Data Corp. 2020
As data breaches and their costs continue to rise, the volume of code produced in our world is too big for security experts to handle alone. Companies need developers with secure coding skills – and developers know they need these skills to advance their careers. But current secure code training is letting them down. So what do developers want when it comes to secure code training? To answer this question, let’s look at some insights from a recent study on developers’ attitudes towards secure coding, secure code practices, and security operations, conducted by Secure Code Warrior with Evans Data Corp*. (Download whitepaper here).
When it comes to the kind of training developers want, the answer is crystal clear. 75% of developers preferred structured on-the-job training, finding it the most effective and satisfying way to learn. And when it comes to what that training should include, developers have some very clear and specific asks:
- 65% say they need training in language-specific vulnerabilities
- 65% want more training in the OWASP Top 10
- Many also want a focus on compliance security frameworks, including NIST (58%), CIS (52%) and PCI DSS (50%)
- 78% want informal peer coaching and guidance as part of that training
But while developers strongly prefer structured coursework to unstructured learning, the way that coursework is delivered is critical. Of course, this raises another crucial question:
How do developers prefer to learn?
Developers don't want to sit around listening to lecturers – they want to get their hands on stuff and try it for themselves. They want a focus on practical applications – something current training programs sorely lack. When asked to identify how company-provided training could improve, 30% of respondents revealed that they would like that training focused on practical applications, particularly authentic work scenarios.
Developer training needs a human-led approach that offers guided learning pathways that include 'gamified' coding challenges that are both hands-on and language:framework-specific. Role-specified ‘gamified’ training gets developers highly engaged, with configurable learning modules that allow an organisation to target developer learning towards specific vulnerabilities.
To find out how to make software security an intrinsic part of your development process with structured, skill-based pathways that deliver the training developers want, request a demo now.
"The interactive simulations help you to identify security vulnerabilities in code, challenge you to think critically and find the solution or multiple solutions. I've seen code through a new lens, and being hands-on has brought so much joy!"
Software Engineer, Financial Services
*Shifting from reaction to prevention: The changing face of application security. Secure Code Warrior and Evans Data Corp. 2020
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Secure Code Warrior is here for your organization to help you secure code across the entire software development lifecycle and create a culture in which cybersecurity is top of mind. Whether you’re an AppSec Manager, Developer, CISO, or anyone involved in security, we can help your organization reduce risks associated with insecure code.
View reportBook a demo
Secure Code Warrior makes secure coding a positive and engaging experience for developers as they increase their skills. We guide each coder along their own preferred learning pathway, so that security-skilled developers become the everyday superheroes of our connected world.
Secure Code Warrior builds a culture of security-driven developers by giving them the skills to code securely. Our flagship Agile Learning Platform delivers relevant skills-based pathways, hands-on missions, and contextual tools for developers to rapidly learn, build, and apply their skills to write secure code at speed.
As data breaches and their costs continue to rise, the volume of code produced in our world is too big for security experts to handle alone. Companies need developers with secure coding skills – and developers know they need these skills to advance their careers. But current secure code training is letting them down. So what do developers want when it comes to secure code training? To answer this question, let’s look at some insights from a recent study on developers’ attitudes towards secure coding, secure code practices, and security operations, conducted by Secure Code Warrior with Evans Data Corp*. (Download whitepaper here).
When it comes to the kind of training developers want, the answer is crystal clear. 75% of developers preferred structured on-the-job training, finding it the most effective and satisfying way to learn. And when it comes to what that training should include, developers have some very clear and specific asks:
- 65% say they need training in language-specific vulnerabilities
- 65% want more training in the OWASP Top 10
- Many also want a focus on compliance security frameworks, including NIST (58%), CIS (52%) and PCI DSS (50%)
- 78% want informal peer coaching and guidance as part of that training
But while developers strongly prefer structured coursework to unstructured learning, the way that coursework is delivered is critical. Of course, this raises another crucial question:
How do developers prefer to learn?
Developers don't want to sit around listening to lecturers – they want to get their hands on stuff and try it for themselves. They want a focus on practical applications – something current training programs sorely lack. When asked to identify how company-provided training could improve, 30% of respondents revealed that they would like that training focused on practical applications, particularly authentic work scenarios.
Developer training needs a human-led approach that offers guided learning pathways that include 'gamified' coding challenges that are both hands-on and language:framework-specific. Role-specified ‘gamified’ training gets developers highly engaged, with configurable learning modules that allow an organisation to target developer learning towards specific vulnerabilities.
To find out how to make software security an intrinsic part of your development process with structured, skill-based pathways that deliver the training developers want, request a demo now.
"The interactive simulations help you to identify security vulnerabilities in code, challenge you to think critically and find the solution or multiple solutions. I've seen code through a new lens, and being hands-on has brought so much joy!"
Software Engineer, Financial Services
*Shifting from reaction to prevention: The changing face of application security. Secure Code Warrior and Evans Data Corp. 2020
Table of contents
Secure Code Warrior makes secure coding a positive and engaging experience for developers as they increase their skills. We guide each coder along their own preferred learning pathway, so that security-skilled developers become the everyday superheroes of our connected world.
Secure Code Warrior is here for your organization to help you secure code across the entire software development lifecycle and create a culture in which cybersecurity is top of mind. Whether you’re an AppSec Manager, Developer, CISO, or anyone involved in security, we can help your organization reduce risks associated with insecure code.
Book a demoDownloadResources to get you started
Benchmarking Security Skills: Streamlining Secure-by-Design in the Enterprise
The Secure-by-Design movement is the future of secure software development. Learn about the key elements companies need to keep in mind when they think about a Secure-by-Design initiative.
DigitalOcean Decreases Security Debt with Secure Code Warrior
DigitalOcean's use of Secure Code Warrior training has significantly reduced security debt, allowing teams to focus more on innovation and productivity. The improved security has strengthened their product quality and competitive edge. Looking ahead, the SCW Trust Score will help them further enhance security practices and continue driving innovation.
Resources to get you started
Trust Score Reveals the Value of Secure-by-Design Upskilling Initiatives
Our research has shown that secure code training works. Trust Score, using an algorithm drawing on more than 20 million learning data points from work by more than 250,000 learners at over 600 organizations, reveals its effectiveness in driving down vulnerabilities and how to make the initiative even more effective.
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Reactive Versus Preventive Security: Prevention Is a Better Cure
The idea of bringing preventive security to legacy code and systems at the same time as newer applications can seem daunting, but a Secure-by-Design approach, enforced by upskilling developers, can apply security best practices to those systems. It’s the best chance many organizations have of improving their security postures.
The Benefits of Benchmarking Security Skills for Developers
The growing focus on secure code and Secure-by-Design principles requires developers to be trained in cybersecurity from the start of the SDLC, with tools like Secure Code Warrior’s Trust Score helping measure and improve their progress.
Driving Meaningful Success for Enterprise Secure-by-Design Initiatives
Our latest research paper, Benchmarking Security Skills: Streamlining Secure-by-Design in the Enterprise is the result of deep analysis of real Secure-by-Design initiatives at the enterprise level, and deriving best practice approaches based on data-driven findings.
Developer-driven coding.
Securely.
Contact us today and make software security an intrinsic part of your development process.
