Want to integrate security tools into your organisation from the ground up, but not sure where to start? Here’s a breakdown of some key types of tool and why they might help your Secure by Design implementation.

And yes, we have mentioned Perceptive 😉

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01 – Network security monitoring tools

These tools continuously analyse traffic to detect anomalies, intrusions, and vulnerabilities. By establishing baselines for normal network behaviour they help identify issues caused by design flaws or misconfigurations early on.

Examples: Splunk and OSSEC.

02 – Security compliance tools

Compliance tools, as you might have guessed, ensure systems align with regulatory standards. By embedding compliance checks during development, these tools can validate design decisions and reduce the risk of non–compliance.

Examples: GFI LanGuard and Perceptive.`

03 – Web vulnerability scanning tools

These specialised tools are designed to identify weaknesses in websites and web apps that attackers could exploit. They assess web–facing systems for common vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection, XSS, and insecure configs. By simulating real–world attack scenarios, they provide a clear picture of how an attacker might exploit a system.

Examples: Burp Suite and Nessus Professional.

04 – Proactive developer–focused security assessment tools

Our tool, Perceptive, falls into this category – helping teams apply Secure by Design principles at the earliest stage of development, before code has even been written. By leveraging frameworks like OWASP Top 10 and ASVS, which form the backbone of our core assessments, Perceptive ensures that vulnerabilities are mitigated early.

Give Perceptive a try →

05 – Encryption tools

Encryption tools encode sensitive data to protect it during transmission and storage. By safeguarding data flows as part of the system’s architecture, they align perfectly with Secure by Design principles.

Examples: VeraCrypt, KeePass, and BitLocker.

06 – Firewalls

Firewalls serve as a critical defence layer, filtering traffic based on pre–defined security rules. With Secure by Design, firewalls enforce policies established during the system’s architecture phase, such as network segmentation or restricted access controls.

Examples: Cisco Secure Firewall.

07 – Penetration testing tools

Pentest tools simulate real–world attacks to uncover vulnerabilities in systems. They validate design assumptions and strengthen defences by identifying risks before attackers can exploit them.

Examples: Metasploit and Burp Suite. Perceptive can also complement this process by addressing risks earlier in the lifecycle, during the design and development stages.

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Of course, there are other categories of tools, and some tools span multiple categories, but starting with these will help get your Secure by Design initiatives up and running effectively. Just be sure to align your tool choices with the specific needs and objectives of your organisation.