How does application security work?

Application security encompasses securing an application throughout its life cycle. These
three states are critical for applications to be secure:

 Building secure applications on secure workloads

 Securing applications during runtime, including access of applications to users and

devices

 Maintaining adaptative security on applications as they change and get updated

How is security different for applications?
In order to keep up with applications running everywhere and constantly changing, security
needs to be delivered in a way that is just as dynamic. Application security must be able to
stretch across public cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments. It also needs to seamlessly
work with the application environments (workloads) and tools that DevOps teams use to
enable application owners so as not to become a bottleneck.
The following components are important for delivering security for applications:

 Security close to the application

 Security that remains continuous as applications change

 Security that is adaptive to application dependencies

See the benefits of a mature DevSecOps program

Bring development, operations, and security teams together to securely accelerate innovation
and business outcomes.
 Read the report
 Take the self-assessment

Solutions for securing your applications

Application workload protection
Workload protection acts as a perimeter around your application workloads. Using an allow
list method and micro-segmentation, your application workload is in a secure silo. In the
event of a breach within your cloud, hybrid, or on-premises environment, your workloads are
safe from malicious activity delivered by east-west traffic. By reducing your application
attack surface, you help secure your greatest assets.
 Learn about Cisco Secure Workload

Cloud analytics for apps

Cloud analytics provides security alerts, allows for management and scalability, and extends
visibility into threats across your public cloud, hybrid, and on-premises networks--all on one
platform. Quick responses are critical to prevent security compromises from becoming
devastating breaches. Cloud analytics gives the information IT teams need to make decisions
that strengthen your security posture.
 Learn about Cisco Secure Cloud Analytics
 Multi-factor authentication
This kind of application security uses two forms of authentication to grant access to a system:
traditional username and password, and the assurance from an associated device that the user
requesting access is trusted. This zero-trust method is an additional layer of security that
helps ensure threats will be blocked while your users gain secure network access.
 Learn about Cisco Duo Beyond 

Application performance monitoring

Performance monitoring is able to detect issues before customers notice, protecting your
business's reputation and allowing you to develop a proactive solution. This end-to-end
security approach uses machine learning to provide a baseline, automate anomaly detection,
and help IT teams to secure applications. You can reduce the risk of a breach with real-time
performance intelligence.
 Learn about AppDynamics