Minimum security for web applications - essential security requirements and how to prevent the most common vulnerabilities
In the modern web environment, where most organizations rely on digital infrastructure for key business processes, security becomes an integral part of every development project. Even relatively simple web applications can be the target of attacks with serious consequences - loss of data, compromise of user privacy, reputational damage or financial loss. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the basic security features that should not be missing in any web application, and to present specific measures that Railsformers integrates into its projects as part of standard development.
Whether it's a company's internal system or a publicly available e-shop, any application exposed to the Internet is automatically exposed to security risks. At Railsformers, we apply security principles from the very beginning of a project - "security by design" - in the design and development of software. This means that we address potential threats proactively as an integral part of the architecture and not retrospectively through additional interventions. This preventative setup allows us to create systems that not only perform their function, but are more sustainable in the long term in terms of governance, development and resilience to attacks.
The most common vulnerabilities in web applications according to the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) are SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), improperly configured authentication mechanisms, inadequate protection of transmitted data, or vulnerabilities in file access and APIs. These vulnerabilities often do not arise from technological inadequacies, but from underestimating basic security principles during development.
We therefore always apply the following best practices in our projects: proper treatment of inputs and data validation on both the server and client side, encryption of sensitive data (including passwords using algorithms with sufficient cryptographic strength), access control at the user role level, protection against CSRF attacks, regular security updates of all libraries and external dependencies, as well as review of configurations at the server level and the application code itself. From a technical perspective, we use modern technologies such as Content Security Policy, HTTP security headers, two-factor authentication, and JWT access tokens for API security.
From the perspective of long-term sustainability, setting up internal security processes is also crucial - for example, a password creation policy, an application activity logging system, regular vulnerability scanning, and training for developers on current threats. After all, security is not a one-time task, but a continuous process that must reflect both the evolution of technology and the changing tactics of attackers.
In conclusion, web application security cannot be considered an add-on aspect that is addressed after the project is completed. On the contrary, it should be seen as a fundamental part of development. At Railsformers, we take a holistic approach to this - from architecture design to code writing to deployment and operation. This is one of the reasons why clients approach us with the requirement for systems that are not only technologically advanced, but also resilient to external risks.
If you are planning to launch a new application or are unsure about the security of an existing one, we recommend not to underestimate the initial risk analysis. Contact us - we will help you design a solution!