Shift left is only part of secure software delivery

Shift left is a cybersecurity philosophy aimed at integrating security processes and tools earlier in the software development lifecycle to address the shortcomings of traditional waterfall methodologies. By prioritizing security alongside functionality and quality during the design and development phases, shift left helps detect vulnerabilities earlier, thus reducing the complexity and cost of fixes. This approach involves using application security testing (AST) methods like software composition analysis (SCA) and static application security testing (SAST) to identify issues in both custom code and dependencies. However, the effectiveness of shift left is enhanced when combined with runtime intelligence, which helps prioritize risks and minimize false positives. Despite its benefits, shift left is only part of a comprehensive security strategy, as ongoing protective measures and responsive actions for production environments remain crucial for maintaining organizational safety and success.