We believe in Secure by Design because it strengthens products and builds customer trust. But misconceptions still hold teams back from adopting it. Let’s tackle five of the biggest myths and show why Secure by Design is worth it.

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Myth 01: Secure by Design is too costly and slows down development

Reality: Secure by Design may have upfront costs, but it saves significantly in the long run. NIST data shows that fixing a vulnerability in design costs six times less than during implementation and 15 times less than post–deployment. By catching issues early, Secure by Design can even speed up development by reducing technical debt and improving product quality from the start.

Myth 02: Secure by Design requires extensive security expertise

Reality: While security knowledge is valuable, Secure by Design principles can be effectively adopted by developers without deep security expertise. Resources like the OWASP Secure Coding Practices guide offer accessible, straightforward practices that anyone on the team can follow, regardless of their security background.

Myth 03: Security is solely the technical team’s job

Reality: Security should not rest solely on the shoulders of the technical team. Secure by Design is a business priority, requiring leadership and commitment from the top. Executives play a crucial role in fostering a security-first culture, making it a core organisational value rather than an isolated technical concern.

Myth 04: Small organisations can’t afford Secure by Design

Reality: Contrary to popular belief, Secure by Design is not only for large enterprises with big budgets. Small and medium–sized organisations (SMOs) can adopt many of these principles without significant financial strain by prioritising security from the outset and making smart, targeted decisions.

Myth 05: Secure by Design sacrifices usability

Reality: There’s a persistent belief that Secure by Design inherently makes products harder to use. In reality, Secure by Design encourages a balance between robust security and a positive user experience. Security and usability don’t have to be mutually exclusive; thoughtful design can enhance both.

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Shifting to a Secure by Design approach isn’t just about implementing technical controls; it’s about creating a culture of security across people, processes, and practices. By embracing Secure by Design, your team will not only build safer products but also drive innovation and trust with users and customers.