An Introduction to Adaptive Software Security

TL;DR

The paper addresses the challenge of securing software in dynamic environments by proposing an Adaptive Software Security Model that bridges the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) with the MAPE-K autonomic loop. It advocates embedding security policies throughout development and enabling runtime adaptation to evolving threats, using knowledge-driven monitoring, analysis, planning, execution, and learning. The core contributions are the integration of the MAPE-K loop with SDLC for proactive, continuous security, a catalog of runtime adaptation actions, and analytical metrics to evaluate efficacy. The work aims to deliver a robust, agile security framework that scales with modern development practices and threat landscapes, enabling faster, informed responses to security incidents.

Abstract

This paper presents the adaptive software security model, an innovative approach integrating the MAPE-K loop and the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). It proactively embeds security policies throughout development, reducing vulnerabilities from different levels of software engineering. Three primary contributions-MAPE-K integration, SDLC embedding, and analytical insights-converge to create a comprehensive approach for strengthening software systems against security threats. This research represents a paradigm shift, adapting security measures with agile software development and ensuring continuous improvement in the face of evolving threats. The model emerges as a robust solution, addressing the crucial need for adaptive software security strategies in modern software development. We analytically discuss the advantages of the proposed model.

Figures (1)

• Figure 1: Overview of the proposed adaptive software security model: It composes from SDLC process, the MAPE-K loop and security components.