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A Secure Development Policy sets clear rules and standards for creating safe software and digital systems within an organization. It guides developers, security teams, and IT staff through required security measures, testing protocols, and best practices aligned with Swiss data protection requirements and international standards like ISO 27001.

Beyond just technical guidelines, this policy helps Swiss companies meet their legal obligations for data security under the revised FADP (Federal Act on Data Protection). It covers essential elements like code review procedures, vulnerability scanning, access controls, and incident response - forming a crucial part of an organization's overall security framework and risk management strategy.

Implement a Secure Development Policy when launching new software projects, especially those handling sensitive personal data under Swiss privacy laws. This foundational document becomes essential before starting development work on systems that process financial information, health records, or other data protected by the FADP.

Many Swiss organizations create or update their Secure Development Policy during digital transformation initiatives, when adopting cloud services, or after security audits reveal gaps in development practices. It's particularly crucial for fintech companies, healthcare providers, and government contractors who need to demonstrate robust security controls to regulators and business partners.

• Basic Development Policy: Outlines fundamental security requirements for small to medium enterprises, focusing on core FADP compliance and essential secure coding practices.
• Enterprise Security Framework: Comprehensive policy for large organizations, covering advanced security controls, CI/CD pipeline security, and detailed audit procedures.
• Cloud-Native Policy: Specialized version addressing cloud-specific security controls, containerization, and microservices architecture security requirements.
• Financial Services Variant: Enhanced policy template meeting FINMA requirements, with strict controls for financial data protection and transaction security.
• Healthcare Development Policy: Tailored for medical software development, incorporating patient data protection standards and healthcare-specific compliance measures.

• Development Teams: Must follow the Secure Development Policy daily, implementing security controls and coding standards in their work
• Security Officers: Create and maintain the policy, ensuring alignment with Swiss data protection laws and industry standards
• IT Management: Enforce policy compliance, allocate resources for security measures, and approve security-related changes
• Legal Department: Reviews policy to ensure FADP compliance and handles data protection requirements
• External Auditors: Verify policy implementation and effectiveness during security assessments
• Third-party Developers: Must adhere to the policy when working on company projects or handling sensitive data

• Risk Assessment: Document your organization's security risks, data types handled, and development infrastructure
• Legal Requirements: Review FADP compliance needs and industry-specific regulations affecting your development process
• Team Input: Gather feedback from developers, security experts, and IT managers about current practices and challenges
• Technology Stack: List all development tools, platforms, and frameworks that need security controls
• Access Controls: Map out who needs access to different systems and code repositories
• Review Process: Define code review procedures, security testing requirements, and approval workflows
• Incident Response: Plan how security breaches during development will be handled and documented

• Scope Statement: Clear definition of covered systems, applications, and development processes
• Data Classification: Categories of data handled and corresponding security requirements under FADP
• Security Controls: Mandatory technical safeguards, encryption standards, and access management protocols
• Development Standards: Secure coding practices, testing requirements, and vulnerability management
• Compliance Framework: References to relevant Swiss regulations and industry standards
• Incident Response: Procedures for handling security breaches during development
• Roles & Responsibilities: Clear assignment of security duties and accountability
• Review Process: Documentation of approval workflows and periodic policy updates

A Secure Development Policy often gets confused with a Cybersecurity Policy, but they serve distinct purposes in Swiss organizations. While both address digital security, their scope and application differ significantly.

• Focus and Scope: Secure Development Policy specifically governs the software development lifecycle and coding practices, while a Cybersecurity Policy covers broader organizational security measures across all operations
• Primary Users: Development teams and IT project managers primarily use the Secure Development Policy, whereas Cybersecurity Policy applies to all employees and stakeholders
• Technical Detail: Secure Development Policy contains specific coding standards and security testing requirements, while Cybersecurity Policy focuses on general security protocols and user behavior
• Compliance Context: Secure Development Policy aligns with software development standards and FADP requirements for secure processing, while Cybersecurity Policy addresses broader data protection and information security regulations