Application Security: A Quick Reference to the Building Blocks of Secure Software

by Luis Soares

The demand for secure and reliable software has never been greater in today's fast-paced digital world, and as businesses, governments, and individuals increasingly rely on technology to power their endeavours, the importance of developing software resistant to cyber threats cannot be overstated.This book is a quick reference and guide for development teams seeking to adopt secure coding practices and foster a security-focused culture within their organization. It aims to provide an accessible, high-level overview of the essential principles and best practices that underpin secure software development.The content is organized into concise and easily navigable sections, covering the foundations of secure coding, from understanding common security threats and vulnerabilities to implementing secure design principles and development processes. Each section is designed to provide a solid grounding in the key concepts and techniques supporting secure coding while offering practical guidance on how to put these principles into practice.The goal is to empower development teams with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about the security of their software and to encourage a proactive, security-first mindset essential for success in today's digital landscape.By providing a comprehensive yet accessible overview of the principles and practices that underpin secure coding, this book aims to inspire development teams to embrace security as a core component of their software development process. In doing so, we hope to contribute to the ongoing effort to build a more secure digital world.About the AuthorLuis Soares is an accomplished Head of Engineering and Senior Software Engineer with over 20 years of experience in the software engineering field. He has worked with a diverse range of startups, mid-size, and large organizations, delivering complex technology initiatives for Fortune 500 companies such as Credit Suisse, HSBC Bank, Apple, Spotify, Voyager, PayPal, Santander Bank, Volkswagen, Rabobank, Honda, and ThoughtWorks.Throughout his career, Luis has held various Senior Engineer and Architect roles, where he has designed cutting-edge solutions and led engineering teams across the USA, the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. His extensive experience and technical prowess have made him a sought-after expert in risk management and cyber security.As a Certified Application Security Practitioner and Network Security Specialist, Luis has developed a keen focus on application security and penetration testing. His expertise in the financial sector and blockchain technology is unparalleled, with over 15 years of experience in banking, payments, cards, crypto, blockchain, trading, investments, brokerage, KYC, Fin-tech, and digital banking.Luis is pursuing a Master's Degree in Computer Science from Wrexham Glyndwr University in the UK, holds a leadership specialization from the University of California, and a Master's in Business Administration from The University of Sao Paulo. His extensive education and his years of hands-on experience have positioned him as a leading authority in the ever-evolving landscape of technology and cyber security.

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2023

About the author

Luís Soares nasceu em 1972 e sempre viveu em Lisboa, apesar do fascínio pela viagem. Não se lembra de não gostar de música, cinema e livros. Outros gostos e desgostos foram sendo adquiridos. Por só precisar de uma caneta ou lápis, começou a escrever muito cedo. A sua primeira história era policial e passava-se em Londres. A segunda era interminável e passava-se em Lisboa e outros lugares imaginados. Em 2003 editou o primeiro de quatro romances pela Oficina do Livro, "Aquariofilia". A este e na mesma editora sucederam-se "Os Adultos" (2005), "Em Silêncio, Amor" (2007) e "Regresso a Barcelona" (2009). Escreve e lê todos os dias e gostava de só fazer isso, mas não pode.
Paralelamente, sempre se interessou por tecnologias, particularmente as digitais e os ecossistemas que criam para uma expressão criativa e política mais desintermediada. Trabalhou no CITI, no Ministério da Cultura (quando ainda havia), na Associação Terràvista, como freelancer, na TV Cabo, PT Conteúdos, Beactive e no portal SAPO. Faz parte da equipa que gere o projeto MEO Kanal.
Escreveu também sobre as questões da era digital das comunicações, textos com títulos como "O Utilizador é o Conteúdo", "Um Ponto Zero", "O Lugar de Hamlet", "A Inquietude Dinâmica" ou "Estranhos Anjos". Recentemente contribuiu também para o livro "Ideias Perigosas para Portugal" organizado por Gustavo Cardoso e João Caraça com o texto "Transformar as Escolas em Media".