Secure Software Development Lifecycle

Last updated: 11 December 2024

Introduction

Aspose Pty Ltd (Aspose) is a market-leading software development company that offers award-winning APIs for creating, editing, converting, and rendering various file formats such as Office, OpenOffice, PDF, Images, ZIP, CAD, XPS, EPS, and PSD. Our APIs support multiple platforms, including .NET, Java, C++, Python, PHP, Xamarin, and Android, along with reporting solutions for Microsoft SharePoint and rendering extensions for SQL Server Reporting Services and JasperReports.

Aspose’s Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) documentation outlines processes, practices, and guidelines for integrating security into each phase of the software development lifecycle. The goal is to proactively address security risks, improve the quality of code, and reduce vulnerabilities from the beginning of development through to deployment and maintenance. This documentation is essential for aligning developers, security teams, and other stakeholders on approaching security throughout the development process.

1. Purpose

This policy establishes a secure software development process that minimizes risks, aligns to regulatory and industry standards, and integrates security practices at each stage of the SDLC.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all Aspose products developed for platforms such as .NET, Java, and others and encompasses all development stages, from planning to maintenance.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

To ensure security is integrated into every phase of the SDLC, Aspose assigns clear roles and responsibilities to various stakeholders:

3.1. Product DevSecOps:

Lead efforts to integrate security within the development lifecycle, ensuring that all security measures are planned and executed effectively.
Conduct regular code reviews and risk assessments using tools like SonarQube to identify vulnerabilities early in the process.
Provide guidance to development teams on secure coding practices and remediation strategies.
Collaborate with stakeholders to address vulnerabilities reported by customers or detected during security scans.

3.2. Product Managers:

Define and prioritize security requirements during the planning phase.
Ensure that the development team has the resources and tools necessary to meet security objectives.
Coordinate with QA, Legal, and DevSecOps to maintain compliance with regulatory standards like..

3.3. Product Leads:

Supervise the implementation of secure coding guidelines and standards during the development phase.
Ensure alignment between security requirements and project deliverables.
Work with DevSecOps and developers to resolve technical security challenges.

3.4 Quality Assurance (QA):

Perform security testing using automated tools like SonarQube and validate fixes for identified vulnerabilities.
Verify that all software releases meet Aspose’s security and quality standards before deployment.

3.5. Legal Team:

Advise on compliance with regulatory standards and contractual security obligations.
Review and address legal risks associated with third-party dependencies or security incidents.

3.6. Developers:

Follow secure coding standards specific to the platform being developed.
Adhere to established code quality requirements, commenting practices, and documentation standards.
Participate in security training and implement lessons learned to improve code quality.
Collaborate with the DevSecOps team to promptly address vulnerabilities and implement fixes.

4. Secure Coding Standards

Aspose is committed to maintaining the highest standards of code quality and security, aligning its practices with recognized industry frameworks and best practices to ensure compliance and best practices in software development. These standards are designed to ensure all code is resilient against threats and meets the organization’s security objectives.

4.1. Code Quality and Security Compliance:

All code must be reviewed for quality and adherence to secure coding guidelines specific to the platform (e.g., .NET, Java).
SonarQube is used for continuous code analysis, identifying potential vulnerabilities, code smells, and performance issues.

4.2. Platform-Specific Guidelines:

Developers must use designated Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) tailored to their platform, ensuring compatibility and consistency across products.
Each platform team adheres to specific coding standards and follows established protocols for code structure, documentation, and formatting.

4.3. Secure Coding Practices:

Use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection.
Validate and sanitize all inputs to protect against injection attacks, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other vulnerabilities.
Apply the principle of least privilege, ensuring that code only has access to the resources it requires.
Encrypt sensitive data in transit and at rest using industry-standard algorithms and protocols.

4.4. Secure API Development and Testing:

Screen all inputs for malicious data to prevent potential exploits or unintended behavior.
Implement sandboxing for API processes to isolate and contain potential threats.
Validate API inputs and outputs rigorously to ensure compliance with expected formats and constraints.
Regularly test APIs to identify and remediate vulnerabilities, ensuring robust security even in private environments.

4.5. Training and Awareness Programs:

Regular security awareness seminars are held to educate developers on secure coding practices and emerging threats.
Training covers topics such as common vulnerabilities (e.g., OWASP Top Ten), secure dependency management, and mitigation strategies for specific attack vectors.
Feedback from training sessions is used to update coding standards and address gaps in developer knowledge.

4.6. Secure Code Reviews:

Peer reviews are conducted during development to ensure code quality and compliance with security standards.
DevSecOps teams provide oversight, reviewing critical sections of code for vulnerabilities and guiding developers on remediation.

4.7. Use of Secure Libraries and APIs:

Developers are encouraged to use well-maintained libraries and APIs for common functions, such as cryptography, to reduce the risk of introducing vulnerabilities.
All external dependencies are monitored for vulnerabilities, and updates or patches are applied as necessary.

4.8. Supply Chain Security:

Aspose’s SDLC integrates third-party risk management practices as outlined in the Third Party Risk Management Policy. This includes rigorous assessments, continuous monitoring, and compliance checks for all third-party dependencies. Regular vulnerability audits and vendor risk classifications ensure secure integration and management of external components. Our Third Party Risk Management Policy can be found here.

4.9.Emerging Technology Security:

Ensure emerging technologies are implemented with robust security measures that align with Aspose’s security standards and principles.
Regularly assess new technologies for potential security risks and vulnerabilities, integrating appropriate mitigations into the development process.
Foster a culture of security by educating teams on the secure use and management of emerging technologies.

4.10. Enforcement and Accountability:

Teams are held accountable for adhering to secure coding standards through regular audits and performance evaluations.
Violations of secure coding practices are reviewed and addressed through additional training or process updates to prevent recurrence.

5. Testing and Quality Assurance

Testing and quality assurance are essential for maintaining the security and functionality of Aspose products. A combination of automated tools, regular reviews, and customer feedback ensures that vulnerabilities are detected and resolved promptly, preserving the integrity of the software.

5.1. Security Testing:

Aspose uses SonarQube as the primary tool for continuous security testing. SonarQube enables real-time detection of code vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows, injection flaws, and logic errors.
Security tests are integrated into the CI/CD pipeline, ensuring issues are flagged during the development process rather than post-deployment.
Additional vulnerability assessments are conducted periodically to identify risks that may not be captured by automated tools.

5.2. Automated and Manual Testing:

Automated Testing: Comprehensive test suites are run automatically at every stage of the SDLC, covering functionality, security, and performance.
Manual Testing: While automated testing covers most scenarios, manual testing is performed for critical features and edge cases where human expertise is essential for identifying complex vulnerabilities.

5.3. Third-Party Code and Dependencies:

Aspose products include third-party information within packages or installers, particularly native C++ libraries ported to C#.
Such libraries can occasionally trigger false positives in security scans. These are reviewed meticulously to differentiate between genuine and mistaken vulnerabilities.
Aspose actively monitors all third-party dependencies for vulnerabilities, applying patches as necessary and updating its FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) disclosures accordingly.
Customer feedback and external scans provide an additional layer of assurance, helping identify and resolve issues that automated processes might overlook.

5.4. Regression Testing:

All resolved vulnerabilities undergo regression testing to ensure fixes do not introduce new issues or compromise existing functionality.
Regression testing also validates that updates to third-party libraries do not conflict with Aspose’s codebase.

5.5. Performance and Load Testing:

Alongside security, products are subjected to rigorous performance testing to ensure they meet expected speed, scalability, and stability requirements under various load conditions.

5.6. Quality Assurance Team’s Role:

The QA team collaborates closely with developers and DevSecOps to validate that all security and functional requirements are met before release.
QA reviews product documentation to ensure it includes accurate details on the security measures in place and known limitations.

5.7. Customer Feedback Integration:

The support forum acts as a real-time monitoring mechanism, allowing customers to report vulnerabilities or issues they encounter.
Feedback is triaged, with high-priority issues escalated immediately for resolution and documentation in subsequent patch releases.

6. Development Phases and Security Integration

Aspose integrates security measures at every stage of the software development lifecycle, ensuring that potential vulnerabilities are addressed proactively. This structured approach strengthens product security and compliance while streamlining development processes.

6.1. Requirements Phase:

Security and compliance requirements, including GDPR and HIPAA, are identified and documented during this phase.
Functional and non-functional security expectations are defined, ensuring they align with recognized industry frameworks and best practices to ensure compliance.
Risk analysis is initiated to identify potential threats or challenges, with mitigation strategies outlined before the design phase begins.

6.2. Design Phase:

Threat Modeling: Security teams conduct threat modeling exercises to predict and address potential vulnerabilities based on the system architecture.
Security Architecture Review: The proposed design undergoes a review to ensure it incorporates necessary security controls, such as encryption, access management, and data validation.
Risk Assessment: Teams use tools like SonarQube to assess and document risks associated with the planned design, prioritizing high-risk areas for additional scrutiny.

6.3. Implementation Phase:

Developers adhere to Aspose’s secure coding guidelines, tailored to each platform (e.g., .NET, Java).
Code is written using secure libraries and APIs, with a focus on minimizing attack surfaces and eliminating vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and buffer overflows.
Commenting and documentation practices ensure that code changes are transparent, traceable, and easily understandable by all stakeholders.

6.4. Testing Phase:

Comprehensive automated security testing is conducted using SonarQube, integrated within the CI/CD pipeline.
Manual testing focuses on edge cases, critical features, and scenarios that automated tools may not fully capture.
Regression testing ensures that resolved vulnerabilities do not resurface and that updates or patches do not introduce new issues.

6.5. Deployment Phase:

Deployment processes leverage secure CI/CD pipelines, ensuring that only validated and signed code is released to production environments.
Role-based access control (RBAC) is enforced, limiting deployment permissions to authorized personnel.
For on-premises products, strict guidelines ensure secure configuration and installation practices are followed.

6.6. Maintenance Phase:

Post-deployment, Aspose actively monitors products for vulnerabilities through automated tools and user feedback.
A support forum allows users to report issues, which are reviewed, prioritized, and addressed by the appropriate teams.
Regular updates and patches are released to address newly discovered vulnerabilities, maintain compatibility with evolving standards, and improve overall product security.

6.7. Continuous Improvement:

Lessons learned from each development phase are documented and used to refine future processes.
Emerging security threats, trends, and technologies are evaluated and incorporated into Aspose’s SDLC practices as needed.

7. Incident Response and Patch Management

Aspose is committed to maintaining the security and reliability of its products by responding swiftly to incidents and vulnerabilities. A structured approach to incident response and patch management ensures that risks are mitigated promptly while minimizing disruption to users.

Aspose’s Vulnerability Management Policy can be found here. It, among other things, describes our approach to.

Incident Response

Detection and Reporting.
Triage and Prioritization.
Response Team Activation.
Remediation and Mitigation.
Incident Communication.
Post-Incident Review.

Patch Management

Patch Development and Testing.
Patch Deployment.
Incident Response and Vulnerability Disclosure.
Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation.

8. Documentation Practices

8.1. Code Documentation:

Developers are required to follow Aspose’s internal standards for documenting code.
Comments within the codebase provide clear explanations of logic, functionality, and the rationale for design choices. This helps facilitate collaboration and ensures easy understanding for future maintenance.
Each product team maintains a centralized repository of documentation, updated with every change or enhancement to the product.

8.2. Issue and Vulnerability Documentation:

Security vulnerabilities, bugs, and other issues are documented in detail, including the root cause, resolution steps, and testing outcomes.
Each issue is assigned a unique identifier, making it easy to track progress from discovery to resolution.
Comprehensive records of resolved vulnerabilities are stored to support compliance audits and enable retrospective analysis for process improvement.

8.3. Product and Security Documentation:

Online documentation includes product release notes, security advisories, and update instructions, ensuring users are informed about new features, patches, and resolved vulnerabilities.
Guidelines for secure deployment and configuration are included with all products to help customers maintain a secure environment.

8.4. Change Logs and Revision Histories:

All code changes are logged in version control systems, to create a clear history of modifications.
Change logs include information on what was changed, why the change was made, who made it, and when it was implemented.

9. Change Management Processes

9.1. Approval Workflow:

All proposed changes to the codebase, especially those involving security fixes or new features, undergo a rigorous review process.
Changes are peer-reviewed by senior developers or the DevSecOps team to ensure they meet Aspose’s quality and security standards.
Major changes require approval from product leads and, if necessary, input from legal or compliance teams.

9.2. Impact Assessment:

Before implementing changes, an impact assessment is conducted to evaluate potential risks, dependencies, and compatibility with existing components.
Security-critical changes are prioritized and reviewed with additional scrutiny to prevent unintended consequences.

9.3. Testing and Validation:

All changes are subject to automated and manual testing to ensure they function as intended and do not introduce new vulnerabilities or bugs.
Regression testing is performed to verify that previous functionality remains unaffected by the new changes.

9.4. Deployment and Rollback:

Approved changes are deployed through secure CI/CD pipelines or, for on-premises products, as part of scheduled updates.
In the rare event that a change causes unexpected issues, a rollback plan is in place to swiftly revert to the previous stable version.

10. Communication and Collaboration

10.1. Internal Communication:

Teams use collaboration tools to track, discuss, and manage changes, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and aligned.
Change notifications and progress updates are shared regularly with the relevant teams.

10.2. Customer Communication:

Users are notified of major changes or updates via release notes, announcements on the support forum, company blogs, social media channels or direct communications such as email.
Clear instructions and FAQs are provided to help users adapt to the changes seamlessly.

10.3. Audit and Review:

Regular audits of documentation and change management practices ensure that they remain effective, accurate, and aligned with industry standards.
Feedback from developers, QA, and other stakeholders is used to refine processes and improve the clarity and utility of documentation.

11. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Aspose is committed to maintaining compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory, and industry requirements related to this policy. Our development practices are designed to protect customer data, meet business obligations, and uphold the highest standards of security and privacy.

11.1. Compliance Principles

Adherence: Aspose follows all relevant legal and regulatory requirements applicable to its operations and systems.
Alignment with Standards: While Aspose may not hold formal certifications, it aligns its practices with recognized industry frameworks and best practices to ensure compliance.

11.2. Ongoing Compliance Monitoring

Aspose regularly reviews its development processes, security controls, and product offerings to ensure ongoing compliance with relevant laws and industry standards.

Compliance audits and reviews are conducted using tools like SonarQube to verify the effectiveness of security controls and adherence to regulatory requirements.

12. Employee Training and Awareness

Aspose prioritizes comprehensive training to ensure all employees understand and implement secure software development practices effectively. Our training initiatives enable employees to contribute to the organization’s security objectives throughout the SDLC.

12.1 Secure Software Development Training Programs

Onboarding Training: New employees receive comprehensive training covering secure coding standards, vulnerability prevention, and platform-specific security guidelines for their development environment (.NET, Java, C++, etc.).
Ongoing Awareness: Regular training sessions cover emerging threats, OWASP Top Ten vulnerabilities, secure dependency management, and mitigation strategies for specific attack vectors.

12.2. Role-Specific Training

Employees in specific roles receive tailored training to enhance their understanding of access control practices:

Developers: Training on secure coding practices, input validation, parameterized queries, encryption protocols, and proper use of secure libraries and APIs.
DevSecOps Teams: Advanced training on code review techniques, risk assessment methodologies, and security tool implementation (e.g., SonarQube).
Quality Assurance Teams: Training on security testing methodologies, vulnerability assessment, and validation of security fixes.
Product Managers: Training on security requirement definition, risk prioritization, and maintaining alignment with recognized industry frameworks and best practices.

12.3. Security-First Development Culture

Aspose promotes a security-minded development culture by:

Integrating security considerations into daily development practices through peer reviews and regular security discussions.
Encouraging reporting of potential vulnerabilities through established channels.
Sharing lessons learned from security incidents and successful vulnerability mitigations.
Maintaining active communication about emerging security threats and best practices.

12.4. Continuous Improvement

Aspose actively seeks feedback from developers, DevSecOps teams, and other stakeholders to continuously enhance secure development processes and practices.

Post-Incident Debriefing: After a security incident or critical vulnerability, relevant teams participate in debriefing sessions to analyze the root cause, review remediation efforts, and identify areas to strengthen secure development practices and training.

13. Policy Compliance and Enforcement

Aspose’s Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Policy defines the company’s commitment to integrating security into every phase of the software development process. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all employees, contractors, and stakeholders involved in software development to ensure secure, high-quality products.

13.1. SDLC Policy Compliance

Mandatory Adherence: All personnel involved in software development must adhere to the Secure SDLC Policy, including secure coding standards, vulnerability management processes, and testing protocols.
Policy Acknowledgment: Employees must formally acknowledge their understanding and commitment to this policy during onboarding and after any significant updates to SDLC practices or requirements.
Periodic Reviews and Updates: The SDLC Policy will be reviewed regularly to align with evolving security requirements, emerging threats, and changes in regulatory or industry standards. Stakeholders will be notified of updates, and re-training will be provided where necessary.

13.2. Monitoring and Auditing

Code Audits: Regular audits, including peer reviews and automated scanning tools like SonarQube, are conducted to ensure adherence to secure coding practices and the identification of vulnerabilities.
Automated Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of SDLC processes ensures that security measures, such as threat modeling, testing, and validation, are implemented effectively at each stage.
Self-Assessments: Development teams are encouraged to perform self-assessments to identify gaps in secure coding practices and address them proactively.

13.3. Non-Compliance Consequences

Violation of Policy: Non-compliance with the Secure SDLC Policy may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to:

Corrective Actions: Retraining on secure coding standards, formal warnings, or additional oversight of development activities.
Code Remediation: Immediate review and remediation of non-compliant code or vulnerabilities identified during audits.
Access Restrictions: Temporary or permanent revocation of access to code repositories and development tools for serious violations.
Termination: Repeated or severe non-compliance may result in termination of employment or contractor agreements.

13.4. Accountability and Enforcement

Incident Management: Security incidents or critical vulnerabilities resulting from non-compliance will be handled in line with Aspose’s Incident Response Plan, including containment, remediation, and root cause analysis. Unintentional violations due to lack of understanding will prioritize retraining over disciplinary action.

Incident Response Plan, including containment, remediation, and root cause analysis.

Disciplinary Process: The HR, DevSecOps, and Product Leadership teams will oversee investigations into non-compliance and determine appropriate corrective actions.

Escalation: Significant violations, particularly those resulting in vulnerabilities or risks to product security, will be escalated to senior management for review and further action.

13.5. Continuous Improvement

Feedback Loop: Aspose encourages developers, security teams, and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the SDLC processes to continuously improve policy enforcement and security practices.

Training and Awareness: Non-compliance stemming from a lack of understanding will be addressed through targeted training sessions, security awareness programs, and enhanced communication of secure development practices.

14. Periodic Review and Policy Updates

Periodic Review: This Secure Software Development Lifecycle policy will be reviewed periodically or as required to adapt to new security standards, emerging threats, and Aspose’s evolving business needs.

Policy Updates: Any updates to the policy will be communicated to all employees and relevant stakeholders to ensure continuous alignment with best practices in information security.

15. Approval

This Secure Software Development Lifecycle was approved by the Board of Directors of Aspose Pty Ltd on 2024.12.01.