Security isn't a feature — it's a foundational requirement. For SaaS companies handling customer data, a security breach can be existential. Here's our comprehensive approach to building secure software.
Start with authentication done right. Implement OAuth 2.0 with PKCE, support SSO via SAML/OIDC, enforce MFA for all accounts, and use short-lived tokens with refresh rotation. Never store passwords — use bcrypt or Argon2 for hashing.
Encrypt everything. AES-256 for data at rest, TLS 1.3 for data in transit, and consider field-level encryption for particularly sensitive data. Key management should use a dedicated KMS like AWS KMS or HashiCorp Vault.
Implement defense in depth. Web application firewalls, rate limiting, input validation, parameterized queries, content security policies, and regular dependency auditing. Each layer catches what the others might miss.
Compliance frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 provide structure, but they're the floor, not the ceiling. Regular penetration testing, bug bounty programs, and security-focused code reviews push your security posture beyond checkbox compliance.