In an era where cyber attacks are increasingly sophisticated and frequent, web application security is no longer optional—it’s a fundamental requirement. Data breaches cost companies millions in damages and lost trust, while regulatory frameworks like GDPR impose severe penalties for security failures.
At Corals Technologies, we build security into every application from the ground up. This guide covers essential cybersecurity practices every modern web application must implement.
The Current Threat Landscape
Web applications face constant threats:
- Data breaches: Exposure of sensitive user information
- DDoS attacks: Overwhelming servers to cause downtime
- Injection attacks: SQL injection, XSS, command injection
- Authentication attacks: Credential stuffing, brute force
- API vulnerabilities: Unauthorized access to backend systems
OWASP Top 10 Web Application Security Risks
The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) identifies the most critical security risks:
1. Broken Access Control
Users performing unauthorized actions or accessing restricted data.
Prevention:
- Implement proper authorization checks on every request
- Use role-based access control (RBAC)
- Deny access by default
- Enforce ownership checks for user-specific resources
2. Cryptographic Failures
Inadequate protection of sensitive data in transit or at rest.
Prevention:
- Use HTTPS everywhere with strong TLS configuration
- Encrypt sensitive data at rest (database encryption)
- Use strong encryption algorithms (AES-256)
- Never store passwords in plain text—use bcrypt or Argon2
3. Injection Attacks
Malicious data sent to interpreters as part of commands or queries.
Prevention:
- Use parameterized queries (prepared statements)
- Validate and sanitize all user input
- Use ORM frameworks properly
- Implement input type validation
4. Insecure Design
Fundamental security flaws in application architecture.
Prevention:
- Conduct threat modeling during design phase
- Apply secure design patterns
- Implement defense in depth
- Use security frameworks and libraries
5. Security Misconfiguration
Improperly configured security settings, default credentials, or unnecessary features.
Prevention:
- Harden server and application configurations
- Remove unnecessary features and services
- Keep software and dependencies updated
- Implement security headers (CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options)
Authentication and Authorization
Strong Authentication
- Password requirements: Enforce strong password policies
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Add second authentication factor
- OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect: Use industry-standard protocols
- Session management: Secure session handling with httpOnly and secure flags
Rate Limiting
Prevent brute force attacks by limiting login attempts and API requests:
- Implement progressive delays after failed attempts
- Use CAPTCHA for suspected bot activity
- Monitor and block suspicious IP addresses
Data Protection
Encryption
- In transit: TLS 1.3 for all communications
- At rest: Database encryption, encrypted backups
- Application-level: Encrypt sensitive fields individually
Secure Data Handling
- Minimize data collection (privacy by design)
- Implement data retention policies
- Secure data deletion (not just marking as deleted)
- Regular security audits of data handling
API Security
Authentication and Authorization
- Use API keys, OAuth tokens, or JWT for authentication
- Implement fine-grained authorization
- Validate API keys on every request
- Use short-lived tokens with refresh mechanisms
Input Validation
- Validate content type and structure
- Implement request size limits
- Sanitize all inputs
- Use schema validation (JSON Schema, OpenAPI)
Rate Limiting and Throttling
- Implement per-user and per-IP rate limits
- Use API gateways for centralized rate limiting
- Monitor and alert on unusual traffic patterns
Secure Development Practices
Code Review
- Mandatory peer review for all code changes
- Security-focused code review checklist
- Automated static code analysis (SAST)
Dependency Management
- Regularly update dependencies
- Use dependency scanning tools (Snyk, Dependabot)
- Monitor security advisories
- Audit third-party libraries before use
Security Testing
- SAST: Static Application Security Testing during development
- DAST: Dynamic testing on running applications
- Penetration testing: Simulated attacks by security experts
- Vulnerability scanning: Regular automated scans
Monitoring and Incident Response
Security Monitoring
- Centralized logging of security events
- Real-time alerting for suspicious activities
- Regular log review and analysis
- Intrusion detection systems (IDS)
Incident Response Plan
- Document incident response procedures
- Assign roles and responsibilities
- Regular incident response drills
- Post-incident analysis and improvements
Compliance and Regulations
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
- User consent for data collection
- Right to access and deletion
- Data breach notification requirements
- Privacy by design principles
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry)
Required for handling payment card data:
- Never store CVV codes
- Encrypt cardholder data
- Use payment processors (Stripe, PayPal) when possible
Security Checklist for Web Applications
- ✓ HTTPS with valid SSL/TLS certificate
- ✓ Strong authentication and MFA
- ✓ Parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection
- ✓ Input validation and output encoding
- ✓ Security headers (CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options)
- ✓ Regular security updates and patches
- ✓ Encrypted sensitive data at rest
- ✓ Rate limiting on authentication endpoints
- ✓ Security logging and monitoring
- ✓ Regular security audits and penetration testing
Build Secure Applications with Corals Technologies
Implementing comprehensive security requires expertise across application development, infrastructure, and compliance. At Corals Technologies, security is integrated into every phase of development.
Our team conducts security assessments, implements industry best practices, and ensures your applications meet regulatory requirements. Contact us today to discuss securing your web applications.
