Ricoh Canada
Deconstructed cloud depicting application security

Application Security

While software is designed to accelerate efficiency and productivity, it can also pose risks. Embedded software applications, installed apps, and software running as cloud services can be potential targets for breaches. Therefore, your data must be protected.

Many of the attacks perpetrated by cyber criminals are performed using software vulnerabilities. Software vulnerabilities are usually programming mistakes, design oversights or outdated scripts that leave web applications, web services or websites to be exploited on the dark web.

Woman on her mobile phone with a security services on the screen

Steps for ensuring applications are secured

1. Security by design

Applications should employ security by design, a development approach that aims to protect against cyber attacks. When implementing new applications, it’s advisable to inquire about the developer’s compliance with international standards such as ISO 27034.

Ricoh practices security by design based on ISO/IEC 27034-1:2011, which considers security throughout the lifecycle of products and services from the planning and design stages. We offer various software and embedded solutions for IT systems, business process management, and multifunction devices and printers.

2. Secured integrations

Secured application programming interfaces (APIs) are an integral part of an organization’s IT infrastructure, enabling seamless communication between applications and systems. An API is the layer between third-party applications and your organization’s data and systems, facilitating the movement of data between. Poor security management introduces what is essentially an unlocked gate to various cyber threats.

Ensuring traffic is encrypted, maintaining a regular schedule of vulnerability scans and updating and patching, and ensuring data is encrypted at every layer is critical.

3. Secured data

When working with a SaaS vendor, it’s important to understand where your data will be hosted, who has access, and what controls are in place to protect it. One essential question to ask, particularly if the application will be storing sensitive data, is if the vendor has any security certifications, standard practices and controls.

Strengthen system security by maintaining updated software behind firewalls, controlling user access and changing default credentials, encrypting sensitive data, and training users on secure practices to mitigate risks from malicious actors.

4. Application security best practices

To protect against damage resulting from malicious third parties, system administrators should consider the following:

1. Read the entire licence agreement for each software and embedded solutions. To continue use, you must agree to the terms.

2. Confirm your operating system and/or device firmware is the most recent version before installation and operation. Install and operate software and embedded solutions on a network protected by a firewall. To avoid inherent risks, it’s suggested not to connect software and embedded solutions directly to the Internet.

3. Limit access to software and embedded solution products to only authorized users and limit access to the software and embedded solution products by access control and allowing only approved IP address ranges.

4. To prevent unauthorized access by malicious third parties, change the default administrator password for the software and embedded solution products and operating system.

5. Confirm software, software operating system, embedded solutions, and multifunction printer or printer are configured correctly to meet your desired workflow and follow your company’s security policy.

6. Multifunction printer and printer security settings should be appropriately set according to the details described in the multifunction copier or printer instruction manual or as customer policies state.

7. Use encryption for all data in transit. Furthermore, certificates should be signed by either a company-hosted or public third-party Certificate Authority. Inherent risks exist if using self-signed certificates.

8. Instruction and training should be given to people who use the software and embedded solutions.

9. To limit outside threats, ensure browser security is enabled on computers used to manage software and embedded solutions. Additionally, do not use the same browser or browser session to manage/access software and embedded solutions while accessing outside network resources at the same time. Completely log off any software and embedded solutions before accessing outside network resources.

10. For software and embedded solutions that are discontinued, uninstall the software and remove any personal or sensitive data used in previous workflows. This will prevent leakage of customer-sensitive information that may remain there.

Read the next section, Strategic Guidance  or download the full guide