Since not everyone in a company has the skills or time to build lots of apps and automations, low-code/no-code tools have become popular for their user-friendly interfaces and built-in AI security features. Now, anyone can use these easy platforms and AI to make, improve, and launch AI-powered solutions without needing technical training.
Low-code development platforms have revolutionized how people make custom business solutions like apps, workflows, and helpers. These tools make it easy for regular folks to create apps and speed up the development process. Adding AI to these platforms makes them even better, enhancing their capabilities while also improving security.
But is it safe? The truth is, it comes with some new risks. But here’s the good part: you don’t have to pick between safety and the efficiency that business-led innovation brings. Read also Microsoft introduces Phi-3
Moving Beyond the Traditional Scope
IT and security teams usually focus on checking code for vulnerabilities and making sure software is secure before it’s put into use. They keep an eye on it afterward to catch any problems.
Nowadays, with low-code and no-code platforms, more people are making apps and automating tasks, even if they’re not software experts. These apps are made without the usual security checks.
This means IT isn’t making all the apps anymore, and security teams might not even know about all the new apps being made. In a big company, they might make hundreds of apps in a year the traditional way. But with low-code/no-code, they could make a lot more, and security might not catch them all.
An Array of Fresh Challenges
New Risks Associated with Low-Code/No-Code Development:
- Lack of Oversight: Since citizen developers work outside IT, it’s hard for IT to keep track of all the apps being made.
- Missing Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC): Without a proper SDLC, there’s confusion and inconsistency in how apps are made, leading to risks.
- Inexperienced Developers: Apps made by non-experts can have mistakes and security problems because they don’t always think about security like professional developers do.
- Identity Issues: Users might borrow someone else’s identity to make an app, making it hard to know who did what, which can lead to security problems.
- Lack of Code to Scan: Without code, it’s tough to troubleshoot, debug, and check for security issues, as well as meeting compliance standards.
- Data Leakage: Apps move data around, which can accidentally break privacy rules and expose sensitive information.
- Data Privacy and Compliance: Sensitive data handled by non-experts might not be stored properly, leading to privacy and compliance problems.
Regaining Control and Reducing Risks in Low-Code/No-Code Development:
One of the main issues with low-code/no-code is that IT and security teams often don’t know what’s going on with these apps. Data moves through these apps, and it’s not always clear who’s making them. Some organizations might not even realize that citizen development is happening.
So, how can security leaders tackle this problem and make things safer? First, they should find out who’s leading the citizen development projects in their organization and connect with them. It’s important to support these teams while also teaching them how to make their process safer.
Visibility is crucial for security. Start by making a list of all the apps being made and who’s making them. This way, if there’s a security breach, you can figure out what went wrong.
Create a set of rules for safe development. This includes policies and technical tools to help users make the right choices. Even experienced developers can mess up when it comes to sensitive data, so it’s even more important to guide non-experts.
Moving Towards Safer Low-Code/No-Code Development:
Traditional coding methods can slow down innovation, especially when time is tight. But with low-code/no-code platforms, anyone can make AI-powered solutions, even without coding experience. While this speeds up app development, it can also put organizations at risk. However, it doesn’t have to be a trade-off between citizen development and security. Security leaders can work with business users to find a balance that keeps everyone safe