What Does it Take to be a Rockstar Developer?

If there’s one thing you need to value as you move through your career as a modern software developer, it’s the importance of security. With application layers increasing and the shift left movement bringing security into the picture earlier on the development process, security should be top of mind for every developer working to write and compile successful code.

But many developers leave school without the security knowledge they need to write secure code – something nearly 80 percent of developers from our DevSecOps Global Skills Survey can attest to. As with any profession, there’s always room to learn and grow on the job, especially in software development where projects move at the speed of “I need that fixed yesterday.” To be a rockstar developer in today’s world, you have to be fast to fix flaws, smart about your prioritization, and quick to release secure software your customers can count on.

For most organizations, hitting tight deployment deadlines without compromising security means shifting scans left in the software development lifecycle (SDLC) by integrating security into the IDE with fast feedback that helps developers learn as they write their code. It also involves bolstering development team members who are passionate about the health of their code and focusing on educating the entire organization about the importance of security.

Treating security as an afterthought is no longer an option, and as a dynamic developer, it’s something you can help change. Shifting security left lessens the risk of needing to fix found flaws down the road (which can cost your business a pretty penny). But there’s a lot that can be done, both by developers and security leadership, to trickle knowledge down and bridge the gap that so often leaves team members siloed.   

Whether you’re just starting out as a more junior-level developer or you’re wondering how you can take your established career to the next level, there are eight key things that you can do to enhance your security skills – from hands-on learning courses to thinking like an attacker and becoming a security champion on your team. Read on:

By arming yourself with the knowledge you need to write more secure code and becoming a security champion you’ll be a more dynamic developer who can help facilitate coding and scanning needs during production, and you’ll stand out as a leader on your team who takes the health of your applications seriously.

Ready to help your organization shift left by unifying security and development? Browse the developer resources section of the Veracode Community to gain more insight into secure coding and help improve your organization’s application security by becoming a rockstar developer.