Microplastics Environmental Impact

Software Development Life Cycle vs. Security Development Life Cycle

Software Development Life Cycle vs. Security Development Life Cycle

When designing a new application or software product that entails access control, security should be embedded throughout its development.

Compare the software development life cycle to the security development life cycle and describe how each is used to enable testing and how they differ from each other.

Search the Internet and find and describe at least two tools to assist with the software development and security life cycles and discuss the pros and cons of each tool.

After reading a few of your classmate’s postings, reply to those from which you learned something new or to which you have something constructive to add. For example:

Discuss what you learned.

Ask probing questions or seek clarification.

Explain why you agree or disagree with your classmate’s main points, assertions, assumptions, or conclusions.

Suggest research strategies or specific resources on the topic.

Be sure to respond to at least one of your classmates’ postings. Join the discussion early and post often.

Software Development Life Cycle vs. Security Development Life Cycle

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Software Development Life Cycle vs. Security Development Life Cycle

Introduction
Designing software with access control demands robust security to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance. The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Security Development Life Cycle (SDL, also known as SSDLC) provide frameworks to guide development and embed security, respectively. This analysis compares SDLC and SDL, focusing on their testing approaches and differences, and evaluates two tools—OWASP ZAP and Checkmarx SAST—that support these cycles at Southern Wellness Care LLC, a hypothetical health clinic developing a patient portal. It concludes with a response to a classmate’s post to foster discussion.

Comparison of SDLC and SDL

The SDLC is a systematic process for developing software, typically comprising phases: planning, requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance (Hennessy & Patterson, 2019). It ensures software meets functional and business requirements through structured deliverables. Testing in SDLC occurs primarily in the testing phase, where unit, integration, and system tests verify functionality and performance. For example, in a patient portal, SDLC testing ensures features like appointment scheduling work as intended, using tools like Selenium for automated functional tests (AWS, 2019). However, traditional SDLC often addresses security late, during testing or post-deployment, risking costly fixes if vulnerabilities are found (Imperva, 2025).

The SDL, such as Microsoft’s Security Development Lifecycle, integrates security into every SDLC phase to produce secure software (Microsoft, 2024). Its phases align with SDLC—requirements, design, implementation, verification, release, and maintenance—but include security-specific activities like threat modeling, secure coding, and penetration testing (GeeksforGeeks, 2024). Testing in SDL is continuous, starting with…