Why using Synk is Developers first security?

Tudip

17 June 2020

If you are a software enthusiast then you know how important is application security. You use different approaches to handle security. Some of the security approaches are:

1. Password encryption
2. Role-based access
3. User authorization
4. Applying the coding handles to avoid security breaches like SQL Injection
5. VPN access etc.

What if I tell you we never focus on the installed dependencies, more importantly, we never look back on already installed dependencies. There are a lot of chances security can breach due to usage of dependencies with malicious code. It may be due to direct dependencies as well due to sub dependencies.

Let’s understand what is Snyk? It is “Open Source Security Management” which can automatically detect open source vulnerabilities and accelerate fixing throughout your development process. Basically it is used to detect open source vulnerabilities while the development process. Key features of Snyk are:

1. Integrated IDE check: Whenever you code a new application you have to detect vulnerable dependencies and avoid future fixing efforts and save development time.
2. Native Git scanning: Test your projects directly from the git repository and monitor them daily for any new vulnerabilities. Scan all PRs before merging.
3. CI/CD security gate: Whenever you generate new builds you have to prevent new vulnerabilities passing through build approval using snyk test.
4. Production environment: The production environment should be monitored for exposure to existing vulnerabilities or newly disclosed vulnerabilities.

How to setup Snyk 

1. You need to signup using your google/github/bitbucket: https://app.snyk.io/signup/
2. You need to select where you want to test your code: Available options are CLI, GitHub, DockerHub, Bitbucket, etc.

To set up a test on your remote repository, you need to provide your git credentials for SSO. For setup a CLI test you need to follow below steps:

1. Install snyk tool: Run the following command from a local terminal:
   1. NPM: npm install -g snyk
   2. Mac:
      1. brew tap snyk/tap
      2. brew install snyk
   3. Windows:
      1. scoop bucket add snyk https://github.com/snyk/scoop-snyk
      2. scoop install snyk
2. Authenticate your machine: snyk auth
3. Analyze and test your dependencies, navigate into your code’s directory and run: snyk monitor

After scanning your project you’ll be given a URL where you can see the results. You should be able to analyze the result and make security decisions based on the result.

1. Dependency tree view: Dependency tree graph is easy to understand to determine where the security breach is .
2. Dependency health: Automatically finding new vulnerable and out-of-date dependencies.
3. Runtime prioritization: Prioritize your fixes based on an analysis of the vulnerabilities.
4. Exploit maturity: Use exploitability indicators to identify those that are easy for attackers to weaponize.
5. Accuracy control for minimizing false positives: Get high-accuracy alerts that are verified and qualified by Snyk’s dedicated security research team.

Some of the solutions to fix quickly to reduce exposure with automated remediation:

1. Minimal fix required: Snyk identifies the minimum upgrade required to clear vulnerability and notifies when there is a risk of breaking the code.
2. Transitive dependency fix: Accelerate triaging of transitive vulnerabilities with Snyk’s fix suggestions for the dependency.
3. Fix pull request: Automate fixing with a one-click fix pull request populated with the required upgrades and patches based on snyk recommendations.
4. Precision patches: When upgrading is too groundbreaking (or not available), fix quickly and precisely with Snyk’s proprietary patches.

Monitor continuously to maintain your code security level:

1. Newly disclosed vulnerabilities: Automatically monitor all your projects and deployed code and get notifications whenever new vulnerabilities are disclosed.
2. Getting new dependencies: To prevent new vulnerabilities from passing through any stage of the development process to block new builds.
3. Reporting: Understand the severity of all of your security vulnerabilities and license issues in one place.
4. Alerts and notifications: To get updates on newly identified vulnerabilities through preferred channels including email, Slack, etc.