We find ourselves in a pivotal time for cybersecurity.

Downward pressure from increasing regulatory obligations, government mandates, and constant large-scale data breaches has forced many organizations to rethink their security programs, seeking a more balanced approach that actively combats such a rapidly changing threat landscape.

There is just one problem: most security leaders are struggling to fill key cybersecurity specialist roles, especially with increased budget scrutiny and an onslaught of AI coding tools redefining secure approaches to the software development life cycle (SDLC). We are treading new frontiers, and we need to get proactive about our ongoing defense strategies.

The role of developers in a modern security program is the topic of renewed conversation in the industry, especially with recent updates to the PCI Security Standards, CISA’s Secure-by-Design guidelines, and expected forthcoming regulations on the use of AI in software creation. Code-level software security must improve - and quickly - yet most engineers remain vastly ill-equipped to share the responsibility.

Developers need precision training, right-fit tools, and an ecosystem that supports their continuous improvement, including meaningful skills verification. Most organizations do not have a benchmark for developer security skills, and cannot get a clear understanding of the cohort’s true security aptitude, nor the insights that can form more favorable program outcomes.

However, some smart, breakthrough organizations are already utilizing incredible tools and assessments in their security program to ensure developers are not just security-skilled, but acting as the beating heart of a positive security culture and advocates for secure software.