Building secure applications with low-code and no-code platforms: Challenges & solutions

Low-code and no-code platforms accelerate app development but raise security concerns. From inherited code vulnerabilities to shadow IT risks, these platforms require robust security measures like SAST, MFA, and regular audits to safeguard sensitive data amidst rising cyber threats

- Lalit Mehta

Low-code and no-code (LCNC) systems are changing how companies create applications in today's fast-paced digital world. By use of visual tools and drag-and-drop interfaces, these platforms enable users-from expert developers to nontechnical staff-to rapidly design applications, therefore negating the need for considerable coding skills. However as LCNC platforms become more widely used, security issues have started to emerge. Creating safe apps on these platforms has special difficulties, especially at a time of rising cyber risks and data leaks. Knowing these difficulties and looking at ways to protect private information is crucial.

▼ The Inherent Challenges of Low-Code and No-Code Security

One of the main advantages of LCNC platforms is the speed at which applications can be developed, but this speed can sometimes come at the expense of security. One of the biggest risks is the inheritance of insecure code. LCNC platforms often rely on open-source components, which may contain vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities, if undetected, can be replicated across multiple applications, potentially exposing entire systems to breaches. Organisations must utilise tools like Static Application Security Testing (SAST) to scan code for weaknesses early in the development cycle and prevent vulnerabilities from reaching production.