Secure by Design: vital in an evolving threat landscape

In the evolving world of software development, a familiar term is gaining renewed urgency: Secure by Design.

Often regarded as an optional best practice or merely a compliance checkbox, this approach is increasingly being viewed as a strategic imperative, and one that could determine whether a digital product is resilient in the face of mounting cyberthreats or dangerously exposed to them.

At its essence, Secure by Design is about starting from first principles. Just as a well-constructed house begins with solid architectural plans, secure software must begin with an intentional design that incorporates security from the ground up. Without this, no matter how sophisticated the tools or talented the team, the resulting software risks being inherently flawed.

The rising stakes of AI in development

This principle has become even more pressing with the mainstream adoption of artificial intelligence in the software development process. Developers are leaning on AI tools to assist with everything from code generation to testing. However, while these tools may accelerate delivery and reduce overheads, they also introduce common and emerging security risks.

When security considerations are overlooked at the design stage, AI-generated code may amplify rather than resolve weaknesses. Poorly structured foundations are only magnified by automation.

Yet, despite its importance, confusion reigns over what Secure by Design actually means. Some people interpret it narrowly as a compliance-oriented task list. The truth is, Secure by Design is not merely about compliance, it is about resilience. It is a dynamic, proactive strategy to build systems that can withstand the cyberthreats of today and tomorrow.

The limits of manual processes

A key challenge lies in how Secure by Design is implemented, as many organisations still rely on manual methods for core tasks, such as threat modelling and architecture reviews. While these processes are important, their manual nature makes them resource-intensive and difficult to scale. When operating under tight deadlines or constrained budgets, they are often deprioritised or poorly executed.

This is where automation — and AI in particular — can provide substantial benefits. Rather than replacing developers, AI can augment security processes, flagging vulnerabilities earlier, automating reviews, and enforcing standards consistently across projects.

When used effectively, AI can transform Secure by Design from a static checklist into a dynamic, continuously improving function.

Risk, readiness and process quality

For Secure by Design to succeed, businesses need to focus on three often-neglected areas: risk exposure, developer readiness and process quality.

Too often, companies approach security initiatives reactively rather than proactively reducing risk. However, true security starts with an honest assessment of the threats an organisation faces and how its software (especially customer-facing applications) could be exploited.

Assessing developer readiness is also critical. Organisations need visibility into the security skills of their development teams. Can developers identify insecure code? Are they well-versed in secure coding best practices? Have they been given the tools (and time) to build securely from the start? Without investment in training and capability uplift, even the best frameworks and policies will fall short.

Another common blind spot is process quality. Organisations may have security guidelines in place, but those rules are often inconsistently followed or poorly tracked. For example, teams may be unaware of known vulnerabilities in their codebase or may not realise that design decisions made early in the project have inadvertently opened the door to potential threats.

Also, many teams have adopted AI tools without first assessing whether those tools meet their security requirements. In some cases, insecure or opaque AI models may introduce vulnerabilities that go undetected until it’s too late.

From mandate to mindset

The good news is that these challenges are not insurmountable. By shifting the focus from compliance-driven activities to a risk-aware, design-focused mindset, businesses can take meaningful steps to strengthen their software defences.

First, leadership must set the tone by prioritising Secure by Design not as a bureaucratic necessity, but as a strategic capability. Next, security and development teams must work hand in hand — from sprint planning to deployment — to ensure security is not bolted on at the end, but is baked in from the beginning. Automated tools can support this shift, enabling faster, more consistent application of best practices.

Finally, organisations must evaluate the tools their developers use. Just as a carpenter is only as good as their tools, developers relying on AI need to know that these systems are secure, transparent and regularly audited for risk.

Secure by Design is more than a slogan: it’s a call to action. As digital transformation continues to accelerate and software systems become more complex and interconnected, security cannot be an afterthought.

Australian businesses have a real opportunity to lead by example. By embedding security into the fabric of development, they can not only comply with regulations but also earn the trust of customers and partners in an era where trust is the ultimate currency.

*Pieter Danhieux is the Co-Founder and CEO of Secure Code Warrior.

Image credit: iStock.com/cherdchai chawienghong