Security by Design: How Effective Is Security from the Start?

Cyberattacks are on the rise—companies must secure their systems early. Waiting until after an incident often leads to higher costs. Security measures should be part of the development process from the start, not just added at the end. This is the core of the “Security by Design” principle. But how does it work in practice? And what difference does it make in mgm projects?

“Security by Design” means integrating security directly into the architecture and development process, rather than adding it later. When security is considered from the outset, companies avoid future risks, save costs, and improve efficiency. At mgm, we consistently apply this principle—and wanted to see how it impacts security in measurable terms.

Insights from Practice: How mgm Measures Security by Design

Measuring security is never easy. Nevertheless, penetration tests provide valuable insights. mgm security partners have analyzed over 2,000 such tests from a wide range of projects. The result: Applications that integrate security concepts from the beginning show significantly fewer vulnerabilities.

Penetration tests are usually performed just before go-live. They capture how many security gaps an application still has at that point. While these tests do not reflect the absolute reality, they serve as strong indicators. Our internal analysis—though not representative, but insightful—shows that mgm projects perform similarly to external ones in common risk categories (Low, Medium, High). The big difference lies in the Critical Findings—those security gaps with the highest risk. In this category, where an application faces an immediate and serious threat, mgm projects perform significantly better.

Security is Teamwork—and It Starts with the Right Mindset

Why do many mgm projects perform so well in penetration tests? One reason is the continuous security support throughout the development process. Developers receive targeted training, but that alone is not enough. The key role is played by Security Champions. They act as fixed contacts within the team, addressing security issues early on, reviewing critical implementations, and reducing risks well before go-live.

Success doesn’t rely on individual efforts. Security works only through collaboration. Training lays the foundation, clarifies terms, and raises awareness. This is how developers can take responsibility, understand security tools, and work together to build secure software.

Security Champions Bridge Mindsets

Security by Design does not stop at training and checklists. It thrives on a shift in perspective. The key is the mindset within the team.

Developers think in terms of functions—they want to build efficiently, think scalably, and deliver stably. Security experts look for vulnerabilities—they imagine how a feature might be exploited.

Security Champions connect these two mindsets. They do not slow down processes but enable better decision-making. They achieve this by being involved from the start. As soon as a feature becomes concrete, they analyze risks, prioritize measures, and propose practical solutions. Not every ticket requires their attention—but when it comes to sensitive data or critical processes, their expertise is crucial.

The Security Champion Model at mgm

Here’s a real-world example: A time-tracking app aims to offer project managers new reports. That sounds harmless, but it poses risks: Who can see what? Who can change what? These are the questions the Security Champion asks before development starts. They assess security measures, adjust them to the architecture, and ensure clear guidelines are in place for the ticket. This makes security part of the implementation—not an afterthought.

This saves time, reduces complexity, and prevents costly rework. Discovering vulnerabilities after the release means losing twice: trust, budget, and efficiency.

And this is exactly why the Security Champion model works so well at mgm. Security Champions take responsibility exactly where it’s needed. They bring their experience to the table, focus on what matters, and communicate directly with the team. Developers don’t have to dive into every detail—they get targeted support at the right time, relieving their workload.

Agile or Traditional—The Approach Remains Consistent

Whether it’s a two-week sprint or a classic project plan—the approach remains the same: The Security Champion accompanies new features from concept to implementation. Sometimes in quick loops, sometimes at fixed milestones. The model adapts to the project style—not the other way around. What matters most is: Security is considered from the start, not added at the end. Security by Design, not Security by Patch.

Benefits for Companies: Why Security by Design Pays Off

Implementing security strategies from the outset offers numerous benefits:

• Cost savings: By integrating security early on, companies avoid expensive rework and fixes.
• Risk reduction: Security gaps in software can lead to significant financial damage and reputation loss. Security by Design minimizes the risk of cyberattacks.
• Compliance with regulatory requirements: Many industries have stringent security regulations that can be met with a proactive security approach.
• Trust building: Customers and partners prefer companies that prioritize security throughout, thereby strengthening long-term trust.

Conclusion: Security Starts with the Mindset—and the Ticket

The goal at mgm is clear: When a product passes the penetration test, there should be no surprises. The test is the final check, not the safety net. Our analysis speaks for itself—and shows that considering application security early leads to more efficient, cost-effective, and safer products. With a Security Champion onboard, this happens.