Top 7 Security Risks of a Low Code Development for your Enterprise

Who would hate the quick and easily applicable way to create application software? How is it even possible? Doesn't application development demand countless planning, design, testing, and most crucial thing, codes?

Well, there was a time when it was required, but now, the low-code development approach helps enterprises build an app with little to no code. Sounds fantastic, right? 

The low-code development expedites business results and empowers them by speeding up the development of new applications. The astonishing fact about the low-code development approach is that non-technical users can create apps with little IT help.

The low-code business market will scale to $13.8 billion in 2021 and more than $27 billion by 2022. You might be surprised to know that 84% of businesses have welcomed low-code development to fight the growing demand for speedy app development, and it looks like the low-code development market is thriving with ease. 

The low-code development approach may be allowing more people in businesses to replace writing code through visual tools to develop applications. But there are some covered security risks also that can create new vulnerabilities. So always keep in mind low-code development doesn't mean low-security risks. 

Do you crave to know about the security risks of low code development of your enterprises? If yes, this write-up is for you. Scroll it down and unfold the hidden security risks that enterprises should consider.

1) No Visibility

For firms, it is crucial to keep an eye on what employees are creating. But when firms use low-code development technologies, they don't have any overlooking on it. Do you know what can usually happen when there is a lack of visibility to the IT perspective? 

It will become challenging to manage what their employees have built. Also, businesses fail to track their security requirements. 

As per Jason Wong, a Gartner analyst, businesses use Microsoft Excel scripts and macros, etc., but ungovernable. Even when they install a speedy application development tool on a desktop to build applications, there is a lack of visibility.

How can enterprises deal with such issues? Enterprises should concentrate more on unlocking the visibility in enterprise mobile application development. Cloud-based platforms can help businesses set a harmony in the workflow to open possibilities for visibility and tracking security needs.

Along with this, businesses can follow various instructions and security practices for secure application development.

2) No Access to Auditing or Vendor Systems

Do you know businesses using low-code development cannot have access to its low-code-providing vendor system? They cannot even check the application code. So if a company faces any fault in the software, it is challenging for them to identify faults. Low-code platforms are companies themselves, and they have taken caution to guard their assets, and there is no transparency.

The scenarios have been beginning to change. Now, low-code vendors are working to make things more translucent between them and their users.

Also, any businesses who yearn to do security checks can do this through black-box method testing, third-party security audits, legal certifications and agreements, and buying cybersecurity insurance.

Good Read: Mobile Application Security - 5 Critical Do's and Dont's

3) No Process to Manage Data

Data management is a crucial topic that no enterprise can ignore. Data is a precious asset any businesses have, and if it is misused for wicked purposes, the company will be in trouble. So companies need to manage data. While managing data, the crucial questions businesses should keep in mind are who can access data, how data is being restricted or used, and what level of control the particular platform requires.

We cannot say that there is no control over data in low-code development platforms, and the level of control is limited. When it comes to more precise controls, all low-code providing platforms are not the same. For example, let's understand this; Google Docs has a system that helps view, alter, and even offer to share information. 

The high-level controls can scrutinize logins and yet again shares, auto-expiring time-based access, etc. The businesses are allowed to set different levels of control from platform to platform.

4) Business Logic Mistakes That Can Leak Data

Low code platforms analyze customer behaviour and preferences. According to the analysis, low-code platforms have in-built peculiarities for permissions as well as access control. And it helps businesses to build apps as per their targeted audiences. 

When you see programming improvement from a business perspective, there are numerous escape clauses. No doubt, application development has become more non-technical work with less actual code inclusion. However, Remember, with any innovation, the security hazard is related. For instance, as an ever-increasing number of individuals begin using the platform, there are high opportunities to intercede in business security.  

5) Flexibility Scarcity

Flexibility is the prominent issue companies complain about when they use low-code platforms. Different businesses have different requirements, and when people have a terrible experience with one platform, they feel scared to try another. 

 Some low-code platforms may restrict your customization decisions, while various platforms give admittance to manage with the hidden code. These platforms can assist you with creating applications that suit your business prerequisites well. So at whatever point you settle on any platform, pick it carefully. 

6) Restrict to a Single Vendor

Due to less flexibility and customization, companies will lock in with the vendor they work with. It is the most critical concern enterprises fear who are working with low-code platforms. A few platforms provide open code and frameworks to enterprises to build applications. Their code is clean and can work anywhere, and it helps enterprises maintain the application without using the platform. 

But some low-code development platform vendors bolt you into their platform, and they create complex code that seems impossible to maintain without the particular platform. What's more, they won't permit you to roll out any improvements in your applications when you quit that platform.

7) Lack of Security Knowledge

Whether you are from a technical or business background, you can use the low-code approach to develop an app for you. The non-technical users are not knowledgeable about application security best practices. Furthermore, the absence of safety mindfulness, potential weaknesses can prompt security hazards. 

Whenever any enterprise proceeds towards a low-code development approach to building an app for their business, they need to be aware of the security risks involved. Currently, organizations have started using DevSecOps to fulfil the security gap in low-code development. Incorporating security as a fundamental part of the entire application life cycle is crucial, and DevSecOps guarantees the application and its framework security from the start.