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Software Technology

Understanding Software Vulnerabilities and How to Prevent Them

Despite the evolution of IT, numerous companies still face security threats. No system or software is 100% secure, regardless of how efficient it is. While hackers are almost always on the lookout for these loopholes, software vulnerabilities are not the end of your software.

The truth is, software vulnerabilities are inevitable because they stem from the same causes—misconfigurations, errors, and unresolved vulnerabilities. So, if you are experiencing glitches in your software or desiring to keep your software in optimal conditions at all times, this blog post is for you. We will discuss common IT vulnerabilities and possible ways to prevent them with professional software development services.

Understanding Software Vulnerabilities and How to Prevent Them

What Are Software Vulnerabilities?

Software vulnerabilities are flaws in your code that are often caused by a weakness present in the software. These vulnerabilities may also be due to errors in user management processes.

A 2020 report shows that the average cost of a data breach was $3.86 million. Therefore, when left unresolved for long periods, a software vulnerability can impact the security and credibility of your IT infrastructure, endangering your organization’s sensitive data.

Common Software Vulnerabilities

1. Missing data encryption

When data is not effectively encrypted before storage, the vulnerability to cyber invasion is high.

Solution: Consider getting an encryption solution that meets your needs specifically to avoid human mistakes. You could also consider working with trusted software development teams to educate your personnel.

2. OS command injection

The shell or OS command injection occurs when your software’s operating system is attacked when you’re running an application. It is a method used to prey on an organization so that the hacker gets deeper access. Again, incomplete or incorrect input data validation is a major culprit.

Solution: Don’t allow OS commands from application-layer code. Register strong validation protocols in your organization.

3. Missing authorization

Missing authorization is due to insufficient authentication or limitations in the authorization. Additionally, this vulnerability is an easy way for attackers to enter.

Solution: Tighten and fully implement authorization protocols. Consider opting for identity management, multi-factor management, and privileged management tools, amongst others.

4. Cross-site scripting and forgery (CSRF/XSS/XSRF)

When this occurs, the attacker tricks the web browser into executing unwanted commands. Hence impacting the software and possibly your business adversely.

Solution: You can adopt a randomly generated token for general use. However, use double submission of cookies and matching random tokens before access is allowed.

5. URL redirection

URL redirection is one of the most annoying kinds of glitches. It leads you directly to the predator as your browser takes you to an external site.

Solution: Use a web browser or application firewall. Also, adopt automated scanning to keep your software up-to-date.

6. Path traversal

Directory traversal is common. It allows the hacker to access files on the server and read them, especially when running. These files could include code and data, credentials for back-end systems, and OS files. Solution:

  • Avoid the passage of user-supplied input into your filesystem APIs.
  • In addition to this, add multiple layers of defense or firewalls.
  • Consider opting for additional protective steps from trusted providers.
Check out: Espeo Software listed among Top 10 Poland Software Development Companies

General Ways To Prevent Software Vulnerabilities

First off, you must identify security requirements. These requirements must include business objectives, policies, risk management blueprint, and applicable laws and regulations. A company like us can help you develop your product with the precise requirement while ensuring your security. We help with:

Review Software Design
Once the initial software development process is complete, the team presents a fresh, qualified set of eyes to review it. The software must pass all security requirements and address the identified risk information.

Verify Third-Party Software
When third-party components are unavoidable, we use only those with code signing certificates to ensure authenticity and trustworthiness.

Regularly Identify and Confirm Vulnerabilities
Limit an attacker’s window of opportunity by proactively looking out for vulnerabilities in your system. The service includes regular reviews, analysis, and software testing to see if any new risks will arise. In addition, however, it will help establish an efficient response scheme to guarantee that weaknesses can be logged and reported as soon as possible.

Prioritize Fixes Based on Risks
Companies need to address the mitigation of vulnerabilities promptly. This development service provider scrutinizes each weakness and determines the complexity in resolving it, as well as its impact on your network. In addition, you can utilize issue tracking software to log every incident and flaw.

Understanding Software Vulnerabilities and How to Prevent Them

Choosing A Trusted Software Development Vendor

Good software development is crucial to the success of an organization’s system. That’s why hiring a trusted software development vendor that offers quality services, and solutions is a must. If you’re still wondering if outsourcing software development is the best path, these are some of the characteristics of Espeo Software:

Security
Established software development companies like Espeo software are experts, especially with system security. We are well-aware of existing dangers in the industry and how to prevent them effectively. Choosing the right development partner means you’ll have access to top talents with years of experience that will turn your security and business requirements into a viable and reliable solution.

Efficiency
With our professional software development experience, we ensure an increase in the efficiency of your organization. Hence, uncovering your business needs, ensuring communication with the development team, effective and secure code, and even training your staff to use and maintain your new solution. Each step is guaranteed to be executed and delivered with care and quality.

Cost-effective
Outsourcing your software development project is a more financially sound and efficient option. You won’t have to hire, onboard, and train a team of developers to create a solution. Instead, entrusting this responsibility to a professional team saves you valuable time and resources, which you can use to focus on generating revenue and expanding your business.

Expertise
As a trusted software development firm, we are established to be an expert in our field. Hence, we can offer valuable advice that would benefit your organization and give you a leg up in the industry. We can recommend important features, securely collect and store data, the best platform to build on, and more. Transparency throughout the partnership is also vital to establish trust and confidence.

Support
As your software provider, we support you, your organization, and your new product, from new-user training to database maintenance and security assessment.

Addressing software vulnerabilities before they show up is the smart move for your company. However, addressing them early and with the help of experts guarantees successful mitigation against security weaknesses. 

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Entrepreneurship Software

5 best things about working at Espeo (Part 2)

Having many different companies to choose from, you might be wondering – why should I apply to Espeo? There are many good reasons but let’s have a closer look at the best ones, selected personally by our employees.

Read the 1st part of this article

From this article you will learn:

  • What are the best things about working at Espeo
  • How do we make our employees the owners of the company
  • How we stand out from the competition
5 best things about working at Espeo

4th best thing about working at Espeo – Atmosphere

It is a value that cannot be created overnight. At Espeo, our atmosphere has been built for 13 years and now we can honestly confirm that it’s unique. By joining us, you are not only gaining a new job, but also new friends, that will support you any time. Atmosphere is a value that people create, so we asked them to comment on this topic. Dawid Urbański shared with us looks like from his perspective:

“3 years ago, when I started working at Espeo, I was very pleasantly surprised that the second message in my email box was office carnival party information. At this party I started getting to know people and their Espeo history. It turned out (and confirmed in practice) that these people, despite their obligations at work, are friends with each other.

They meet for various activities, board games, beer, weekend getaways. Now I am trying to make my contribution so that people integrate with each other and do not treat work as an unpleasant duty and colleagues as enemies or competitors in the race for money.

Espeo Day has also become an interesting binder among people, it is a weekly “Christmas Eve” with the fact that it is organised at a different time of the day – depending on the “menu”. Partnership relations and a good atmosphere are something that is still marked by former employees as a huge advantage of this company.” 

Should anything be added here? Definitely not! We can only confirm David’s words by mentioning that 4.5 is the average rating employees give to the “Team Partnership” aspect during Exit Interviews. They most often point to cooperation and interpersonal communication that you won’t find anywhere else. And that’s totally true!

5 best things about working at Espeo

5th best thing about working at Espeo – Transparency

Is open communication important to you, as well as sharing experience and getting feedback for your work, both positive and critical? If so, you need to hear about another great thing about working with us – Transparency. At Espeo, we follow open and clear rules in cooperation with each other and with our customers. It is a part of our work culture and one of our core values respected by everyone, including management, who share their successes, failures and knowledge with others.

One of the people who contributed to the culture of our company and for whom its values are extremely important is Sylwia Rogowicz, HR Head and Espeo founder. What is Transparency for her?

“To me, transparency isn’t only about sharing information with people, it’s just one aspect of that value.”

Moreover:

  • Every quarter we have a presentation with details about the company’s situation. Thanks to its town hall format, you can ask questions to each of the management board.
  • We also have a very transparent payroll system for our people in delivery. Our employees know exactly what they have to do to get a promotion and a raise.
  • Transparency in communication with the client. For us, it means building partnership relations, which makes our cooperation with Finnish clients a perfect match.
  • We expect employees to be transparent with us and to communicate clearly about problems, challenges and effects in their work. Due to this value, we do not have any anonymous boxes for requests or complaints. We try to build an environment where various problems or ideas can be addressed without objections.
  • This value also guides us in communication. It is important that our employees know what we expect from them. It allows them to plan their own work well, work efficiently and calmly”.

While being transparent with all of these subjects, we give you some control over the company. In time you might start to think like the owner, because at Espeo you ARE the owner! Doesn’t that sound like a perfect place to work?

Follow us on Instagram for more insights about working at Espeo.

Categories
Entrepreneurship Software

5 best things about working at Espeo (Part 1)

Having many different companies to choose from, you might be wondering – why should I apply to Espeo? There are many good reasons but let’s have a closer look at the best ones, selected personally by our employees.

Nowadays the IT market is growing rapidly day by day. In Poland and all over Europe, more and more software houses are being established. This makes it harder to reach potential candidates and gain the best specialists on the market. Many companies offer similar benefits and office supplies. Remuneration rates are growing intensively, chasing the competition and being very high compared to other markets. Therefore, the company should provide its candidates not only with decent pay, but also with work conditions and opportunities that will be attractive to them and will bind them with the company for longer.

From this article you will learn:

  • What are best things about working at Espeo
  • How do we make our employees the owners of the company
  • How we stand out from the competition
5 best things about working at Espeo

1st best thing about working at Espeo – Growth

We love to see our employees grow. That’s why by joining Espeo, you will get an individual training budget and decide how to use it. It might be a workshop, conference, studies or even an individual psychological therapy – anything of your choice based on your needs. You will get an experienced Team Leader that can help you to choose courses to develop your skills. Additionally, we share our knowledge during internal weekly Lightning Talks, webinars and meetups.

At Espeo, we give you the responsibility for your own development – we do not practice annual summary interviews. Instead, we give you the option of evaluating competences twice a year, and based on them, opportunities for promotion.

Have a look at how Grzegorz Olejniczak, our Frontend Developer, grew with Espeo and get to know his perspective on development:

“I started working with Espeo as a Junior Frontend Developer less than 2 years ago, without any previous commercial experience. I am a living example of the fact that Espeo can provide a person of my profile with optimal conditions for development, expecting only the will to improve qualifications. Having access to the proper tools (including substantive support, internal training, access to platforms with online courses or the opportunity to participate, within the training budget, in a course I chose), resulted in gratification of my achievements in the form of regular promotions. During the whole process, I never felt left to myself. In case of doubts and when dealing with formalities, I could always count on the support of Team Leader and other, more experienced people I met here.”

Interested in joining #EspeoCrew? Check out our open job positions and apply!

2nd best thing about working at Espeo – Responsibility and independence

We create solutions for international clients who trust us a lot. While working on the project, they are flexible and give us the opportunity to influence the tools we work on in the project and are always open to suggestions. That’s why from your first day, you will get a lot of autonomy and freedom to act. Just look at the project that we have been co-creating for 11 years already – Oikotie. Here, our clients become our partners in business and while being transparent with their plans, they invite us for business meetings. It is also a huge responsibility for their business results.

Additionally, we support our people in their business competences – our programmers play the role of client’s technical consultants and we develop them in this area. Immediately after joining the company, you will take part in a training focused on cooperation with the client, where you will be taught the secrets of effective communication and gain the necessary knowledge about significant cultural differences. In addition, at subsequent stages, dedicated team leaders support our team members in the context of working with the client. Thanks to this, despite the high responsibility in the project and independence in technical customer support, you will always be supported.

5 best things about working at Espeo

3rd best thing about working at Espeo – Flexibility

It is obvious that when hiring top experts, we want them to be satisfied with their workplace. And we believe it is possible thanks to work flexibility in different areas. Just after signing your employment contract, you will be asked about the work equipment you would like to work on. Whether you prefer Dell or Macbook, you have a choice of system and we will provide you the best accessories. Also regarding contract preferences – whether you prefer a contract of employment or B2B formula – the choice is yours. We are open to both forms of cooperation, the decision is on your side.

By working with us you will get 24h access to our office in the center of Poznań with multiple working areas, full kitchen facilities and relaxing chill spaces. We encourage you to arrange your workday around your life. That is why regardless of whether you like to start work at 7 or 10 o’clock. It is your choice and the office is always open for you with fresh coffee and all facilities needed. There’s also a rooftop garden open in summer!

See open job positions

Categories
Newsroom Software Technology

Espeo Software Wins Clutch Award for Poland’s Finest Developers

Transparent communication, efficiency, and craftsmanship — those words have been integrated into our work since 2008. At Espeo Software, we love designing and developing game-changing products for our clients around the world.

Espeo Software Wins Clutch Award for Poland’s Finest Developers

Based in Poznan, Poland and Helsinki, Finland, we are considered one of the best when it comes to creating cutting-edge digital solutions, especially in Finland where most of our clients come from. Our exceptional industry knowledge combined with our strong technical roots allow us to help our clients thrive and succeed. What sets us apart is our remarkable attention to detail and client-centric approach. Because of our dedication to making a difference, we’ve been chosen for the prestigious Clutch 2021 Awards. Located in Washington, DC., Clutch is an independent B2B review and market research platform that helps enterprises and businesses connect with the right service providers.

Espeo Software was hailed as a top performer on Clutch!

Our team was recognized as one of Poland’s best developers for incredible projects and collaborations. Clutch only recognizes the best, and that’s why we are incredibly gracious for this award. To express our sentiment, here are a few words from our Software Consulting Director:

“High position in the ranking announced by Clutch clearly indicates that our clients value cooperation with Espeo and the high quality of the services we provide”

— Dominik Zyskowski, Software Consulting Director at Espeo Software
Clutch Espeo Top Developers

Aside from Clutch’s award, we’ve also been featured as one of the top companies on Visual Objects, a portfolio site that showcases the craft of international creative agencies.

We are genuinely proud to be listed as one of the best web development companies in Poland!

As we move forward, we seize this opportunity to thank our clients for their precious trust and support. It is an honor to have our clients’ reviews featured on our Clutch profile — they serve as great inspiration for us to keep working harder.

Want to be better? Chat with us and let’s collaborate! We’re excited to learn more about how we can help you.