Software Security for Digital Ecosystems
Explore the need to revise penetration testing for more robust and secure software in digital ecosystems. Learn about the current challenges, proposed improvements, and the benefits of a revised approach in this insightful overview.
Software Security for Digital Ecosystems
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Presentation Transcript
Software Security for Digital Ecosystems Stephen Strohmeier Connor Leonhardt
Overview • Purpose • Curren research • What is a digital ecosytem • A before and after look at penetration testing • Why does this need to be changed • How is it better • Conclusion
Purpose • Penetration testing in its current state is not ideal • We want to revise it to be more robust and useful • Make testing less generic • More secure software • Bugs and flaws can actually be fixed • Using ideas from ecosystems to revise penetration testing
Research • Natural vs. Digital Ecosystem • How can we apply what happens in nature to the digital world • Health and resilience of an ecosystem • Changes within the ecosystem • Current penetration testing
What is a Digital Ecosystem? • An ecosystem is a biological system consisting of all the living organisms in an area and the nonliving components with which they interact with • Digital ecosystem is an emerging field of study so it is still being defined • It can be thought of in terms of a natural ecosystem.
Current Penetration Testing • It is performed at the end of the SDLC • Often given back to the software development teams • Outside → In spproach • “Pretend Security”
Why should this be changed? • Motivate individuals to find flaws • Testing is limited by time constraints • Fixes are expensive resulting in “Band-Aid” fixes instead of cures • i.e. adjusting the firewall ruleset • So the software is more sucure
Revised Penetration Testing • “War game” style testing • Predator/pray • Competition between developer and security teams • Performed throughout the SDLC • Test more than once
How is it better? • Security and development teams work together to properly test products • Actual fixes can be performed • Fixes are cheaper • Not limited by time
Conclusion • Penetration testing needs to be more robust and useful • The current state of testing is full of problems • Our revision is a step in the right direction to where testing needs to be