Low-code/no-code (LCNC) and robotic process automation (RPA) have revolutionized digital transformation, empowering business users to rapidly create applications through platforms like Microsoft PowerApps, UiPath, ServiceNow, Mendix, and OutSystems. However, the security implications of these tools often take a back seat amid the fervor of swift app development. In an era where speed is prioritized, the security team’s attention to the dark side of LCNC and RPA is crucial.

Security in the Backseat of Digital Transformation: Security concerns are sometimes perceived as potential impediments to the rapid digital transformation journey facilitated by LCNC and RPA. The need for quick app creation often leads citizen developers to unintentionally introduce new risks. While LCNC and RPA drive efficiency and agility, they expose business applications to similar risks and damages as traditionally developed counterparts.

Unique Security Challenges in LCNC and RPA: LCNC and RPA environments bring about transformative shifts in decentralized app creation, introducing three main security challenges:

1. Prone to Unintentional Errors: Citizen and automation developers are more susceptible to unintentional, logical errors leading to security vulnerabilities.
2. Shadow Engineering: Security teams grapple with a new kind of shadow IT or Shadow Engineering, where LCNC and RPA introduce a decentralized approach to app creation.
3. Limited Control over App Lifecycle: Security teams often lack control over the LCNC app lifecycle, posing challenges in governance, compliance, and security.

Triple Threat: Governance, Compliance, and Security: LCNC and RPA environments intensify the three-headed monster haunting security professionals – governance, compliance, and security. Challenges include outdated app versions in production, compliance violations, and persistent security concerns like unauthorized data access and default passwords.

Four Crucial Security Steps: Addressing LCNC app security requires a four-step process:

1. Discovery: Establish and maintain comprehensive visibility over all LCNC applications and automations.
2. Monitoring: Evaluate third-party components, implement processes to confirm the absence of malicious code, and proactively monitor developer activity.
3. Act on Violations: Efficient remediation involves clear communication with citizen developers and proactive steps to address security violations.
4. Protecting the Apps: Use runtime controls to detect malicious behavior inside apps and automations.

Nokod Security: Pioneering LCNC App Security: Introducing a dedicated security solution, Nokod Security addresses the evolving threat landscape and the unique challenges of LCNC app development. Key features include discovery of applications, placement under specified policies, identification of security issues, auto-remediation, and empowerment tools for developers.

Conclusion: In the era of LCNC and RPA, organizations must bridge the security gap in app development. The adoption of these innovative platforms necessitates a comprehensive approach to ensure compliance, vulnerability-free applications, and protection against malicious activities. Nokod Security’s platform emerges as a pioneering solution to streamline security across the entire lifecycle of LCNC applications, providing insights, risk management, and compliance in this dynamic landscape.