The software industry has long held the belief that fixing vulnerabilities during production is significantly costlier than addressing them during the design phase. This notion has driven the argument that developers need advanced tools to detect bugs early in the development process.
However, recent discussions among software security professionals have challenged the validity of this idea. A draft report from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) highlighted that the basis of the 100x cost differential for fixing defects remains unclear, and the landscape of software development has evolved with agile methodologies and rapid deployment practices.
Chris Hughes, CEO of Aquia, expressed strong opinions on this topic in a LinkedIn post, criticizing the concept of “shift left” which emphasizes early bug detection. This sparked a heated debate among experts, with some agreeing that early defect detection is essential, while others questioning its impact on developer productivity.
The report by CISA also raised concerns about the lack of economic incentives for companies to invest in security measures. It mentioned that incidents like those faced by Target and SolarWinds did not result in significant financial repercussions, indicating a disconnect between security investments and business outcomes.
The debate around the cost-effectiveness of fixing bugs early traces back to the 1970s, when Barry Boehm introduced the Constructive Cost Model (COCOMO) for software engineering economics. While the 100x factor has been cited for decades, Boehm acknowledged that the actual cost difference may vary depending on the context.
Research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) suggested a 15:1 ratio for fixing software defects post-release compared to the requirements phase. The shift towards cloud-native and DevOps practices has made software updates more cost-effective, reducing the financial impact of fixing bugs in production.
A case study of a health insurer demonstrated substantial savings from early defect detection, emphasizing the long-term benefits of focusing on software quality. Companies are encouraged to adopt a DevSecOps culture to integrate security throughout the development and deployment process effectively.
Experts stress the importance of balancing quality assurance, security, and resilience in software engineering. Janet Worthington from Forrester Research emphasizes embedding security knowledge across development, testing, and operations to build a robust foundation for software deployment.
Ultimately, the debate revolves around determining the optimal investment in security practices during development. Executives and DevOps teams are advised to consider the total cost of ownership and prioritize security throughout the software development lifecycle.
Gary McGraw, a renowned software security expert, advocates for proactive bug prevention and early security measures. He believes that addressing issues during the coding phase is more cost-effective and leads to better quality, resilience, and security outcomes.
In conclusion, while the debate on the financial implications of fixing bugs early continues, the consensus leans towards the benefits of shifting left in software development. Prioritizing security, quality, and resilience from the outset can have long-term advantages for companies in the evolving digital landscape.