CompTIA CASP+ Practice Test

Which method offers the most protection against web application attacks for internally developed software?

1. Regular security audits

2. Require all development to follow secure coding practices

3. Implement network segmentation

4. Conduct penetration testing

The correct answer is: Require all development to follow secure coding practices

The choice that provides the most protection against web application attacks for internally developed software is centered around requiring all development teams to follow secure coding practices. This method is fundamentally proactive and foundational, as it incorporates security into the software development lifecycle from the very beginning. When developers adhere to secure coding practices, they are educated on common vulnerabilities (like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and buffer overflows) and the best practices to mitigate these risks during the coding phase. This reduces the risk of introducing security flaws right at the source, ensuring that applications are built with an inherent understanding of security principles. By embedding security into the coding phase, the likelihood of exploitable vulnerabilities in the final product is significantly diminished, thereby providing strong protection against web application attacks. While regular security audits, penetration testing, and network segmentation are valuable practices, they primarily serve as tools for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities after the application has been developed or deployed. In contrast, secure coding practices aim to prevent these vulnerabilities from being introduced in the first place, making it the most effective method for safeguarding internally developed software.