Explain the concept of secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) in ethical hacking.

Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) is a methodology employed to integrate security measures into every phase of the software development process. It aims to proactively address security vulnerabilities and mitigate potential risks associated with software applications. In the context of ethical hacking, understanding the secure SDLC is crucial as it allows security professionals to identify and exploit vulnerabilities during the development lifecycle, thereby enhancing the overall security posture of the software.

1. Requirement Analysis:
   • During this phase, security requirements are identified and documented alongside functional requirements.
   • Ethical hackers assess the security requirements to ensure they are comprehensive and aligned with industry best practices and regulatory standards.
2. Design Phase:
   • Security architecture and design decisions are made in this phase.
   • Ethical hackers conduct threat modeling exercises to identify potential security threats and design appropriate countermeasures.
   • They review design documents and architectural diagrams to identify any security loopholes or weaknesses.
3. Implementation Phase:
   • Actual coding of the software occurs in this phase.
   • Ethical hackers perform static code analysis and review the codebase for security vulnerabilities such as injection flaws, authentication issues, and access control issues.
   • They may also conduct code reviews and pair programming sessions to identify and remediate security issues.
4. Testing Phase:
   • Various testing techniques are employed to assess the security posture of the software.
   • Ethical hackers conduct dynamic application security testing (DAST) to identify vulnerabilities that can be exploited while the application is running.
   • They also perform penetration testing to simulate real-world attacks and assess the effectiveness of security controls.
5. Deployment Phase:
   • The software is deployed into production during this phase.
   • Ethical hackers may perform vulnerability scanning to ensure that no critical vulnerabilities are present before the software goes live.
   • They also verify the configuration of security controls such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access controls.
6. Maintenance Phase:
   • Ongoing maintenance and support activities are performed in this phase.
   • Ethical hackers monitor for newly discovered vulnerabilities and assess their impact on the software.
   • They may conduct periodic security assessments and audits to ensure that the software remains secure over time.