Apple Publishes Secure Coding Guide for Developers

Apple has published a new guide designed to help developers of Mac OS and iOS applications build more secure programs by design.

“Secure coding is important for all software; if you write any code that runs on Macintosh computers or on iOS devices, from scripts for your own use to commercial software applications, you should be familiar with the information in this document,” Apple advised in the 123-page guide.

According to a study released by the Ponemon Institute in Aug. 2013, application security is being challenged by a disconnect between developers and executives. According to the research, just 43 percent said their organizations have a defined software development process in place. Of these, only 69 percent adhere to the defined process, while 21 percent said their organization doesn’t. Ten percent were unsure.

“Seventy-one percent of execs and 66 percent of directors think they keep their secure coding training up-to-date, versus only 19 percent of technicians,” Ed Adams, CEO of Security Innovation, said previously. “That’s nearly a [four-fold] difference. And the technicians’ results are much more believable; they are the ones getting trained – or not, as the case is here.”

“Security is not something that can be added to software as an afterthought; just as a shed made out of cardboard cannot be made secure by adding a padlock to the door, an insecure tool or application may require extensive redesign to secure it,” Apple said in the guide. “You must identify the nature of the threats to your software and incorporate secure coding practices throughout the planning and development of your product.”

The Secure Coding Guide from Apple is available online in HTML format or as a PDF file.

Related: Does Application Security Pay?

Related: Designing a Defense for Mobile Applications

Related: Top Three Mobile Application Threats