IDC Study Reveals 3X Gains from Modern AppSec Programs

The IDC InfoBrief, sponsored by Fastly, reveals that organizations with modern application security (AppSec) programs are significantly more likely to achieve superior business outcomes, including enhanced developer productivity, user experience, and application availability, while being nearly twice as likely to avoid data breaches. The study categorizes AppSec programs into four maturity levels—Emerging, Evolving, Established, and Exceptional—and highlights that programs in the Exceptional category demonstrate continuous, adaptive security measures deeply integrated into their software development practices. Nearly 1,000 global security and technology leaders participated, providing insights into essential practices and capabilities that define modern AppSec programs. The research emphasizes the importance of integrated security platforms and adaptive backlog management as key strategies for achieving exceptional results. The findings serve as a benchmark for organizations to assess and improve their AppSec maturity, offering actionable guidance to enhance their security posture and drive better business outcomes.