Clear DefinitionsSecure Development Lifecycle (SDL)
1 min read
Pronunciation
[si-kyoor dih-vel-uhp-ment lyf-sy-kuhl]
Analogy
SDL is like constructing a building with safety inspections at each stage, rather than only checking at the end.
Definition
A framework integrating security practices throughout every phase of software development, from requirements to maintenance.
Key Points Intro
SDL embeds security into every stage of the development process.
Key Points
Threat modeling: identify and prioritize risks early
Design review: assess architecture for security gaps
Secure implementation: apply coding standards and libraries
Verification & response: test, remediate, and plan incident response
Example
A DeFi protocol adopts Microsoft SDL: conducting threat models, static analysis during CI, security gates before release, and bug bounty programs post-launch.
Technical Deep Dive
SDL phases include training developers, defining security requirements, design reviews, static/dynamic testing, fuzzing, penetration tests, and post-release monitoring. Tooling integrates with IDEs (Security Code Scan), build pipelines (Bandit, Semgrep), and runtime telemetry for anomaly detection.
Security Warning
Skipping any SDL phase can leave exploitable gaps; executive support and training are crucial.
Caveat
Implementing SDL can slow time-to-market and requires cultural change.
Secure Development Lifecycle (SDL) - Related Articles
No related articles for this term.