In an increasingly connected world, where businesses heavily rely on digital aspects such as e-commerce, remote work, cloud services, and distributed asset control, software quality and security have become critical factors for business survival and success. A lack of quality and/or a security breach can lead to severe consequences, ranging from the loss of confidential data to reputational damage and even operational disruptions.

Cybercrime represents a significant economic challenge, with an estimated annual cost of $10.5 billion. Additionally, nearly 90 million attacks are reported every year. In Spain, over 375,000 internet-related crimes were committed in 2022, meaning 1 in every 5 crimes in the country occurred online. This highlights the urgent need to strengthen cybersecurity measures and digital protection.

At SIPSA, we understand that absolute security against cyberattacks is unattainable. However, our goal is to help you achieve the highest level of security and trust in your software. We are a consulting firm specializing in digital transformation, software quality, and automated testing. We have defined the SPHERICAL QUALITY methodology, a model that will enable you to develop secure, reliable, and high-quality software.

Where Do We Act to Achieve Quality and Secure Software?

At every stage of the software development lifecycle, quality and security practices are integrated. From planning to implementation, criteria are established to ensure the software meets high standards and prevents vulnerabilities.

PLAN: Awareness and Training

Team awareness and training are crucial to creating a culture of quality and security within the organization. Employees must understand common cyber threats, secure coding practices, sensitive data management, and the importance of security testing.

DESIGN: Secure Architecture Design

A robust and well-designed architecture forms the foundation of a secure system. At this stage, secure design principles are defined, threat analysis is conducted, security layers are implemented, and more.

CODING: Static Code Analysis

Static code analysis is a fundamental technique for identifying vulnerabilities and errors in the source code during the early stages of development. Addressing issues at their source ensures a solid and secure foundation for the software.

BUILD: Container Image Validation

Container images are essential components for deploying and running applications. At this stage, the origin of the images is verified, their digital signature is validated, the file used to build the image is examined, images are kept up-to-date, and their usage is logged and audited.

DEPLOYMENT: Vulnerability Scanning

Vulnerability scanning identifies and prioritizes security risks in the software before production deployment. This process detects issues such as access control failures, cryptographic flaws, code injection, insecure design, identification and authentication failures, software and data integrity issues, and server-side request forgery. The scanning process should be automated and generate regular reports for decision-making.

TESTING: Ethical Hacking and Security Testing

Ethical hacking and security testing are advanced techniques to evaluate systems’ resilience against real-world cyberattacks. These tests are conducted by experts simulating real attacks to identify vulnerabilities.

IMPLEMENTATION: Compliance Validation and Code Signing

Compliance validation ensures the software adheres to applicable regulations and standards. Code signing verifies software integrity and prevents the execution of unsigned or untrustworthy code. Additionally, internal security policies should be established, and regular compliance audits should be conducted.

MAINTENANCE: MDRR (Monitor, Detect, Respond, and Recover)

MDRR is a continuous process for managing security incidents. It includes constant monitoring of systems, networks, and applications to detect suspicious activity or indicators of compromise. If an incident is detected, quick and effective response is essential to contain damage and prevent further exposure. The final phase involves restoring affected systems to a normal operational state.

The SPHERICAL QUALITY Methodology

The SPHERICAL QUALITY methodology is an integral and revolutionary strategy that enables companies to protect their software and digital assets in an increasingly complex and threatening world. By addressing security from the earliest stages of development to continuous maintenance, organizations can mitigate risks and ensure the quality, reliability, and stability of their applications. This approach not only safeguards data and customer privacy but also fosters a culture of security within teams. Such a security culture promotes customer trust and enhances brand reputation, providing businesses with a competitive edge in the market.

As a pioneer in implementing SPHERICAL QUALITY, SIPSA becomes a valuable ally for companies seeking to thrive in the digital era. With a focus on prevention, early detection, and rapid response to threats, SIPSA offers its clients confidence that their software is secure, reliable, and prepared to face future challenges.