Why Do I Need Static Code Analysis to Protect Salesforce Data?
Static code analysis is a critical aspect of a comprehensive Salesforce data security plan that protects sensitive information in a multitude of ways.
Why It Matters: Faulty applications and updates lead to misfires, security vulnerabilities, and the possibility of data corruption. Automating the process of verifying proper coding structures takes a huge burden off the DevSecOps team.
- A worldwide Microsoft outage was blamed on a faulty update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike.
- Coding errors found late in the development cycle are much more expensive and time-consuming to fix.
Here are seven ways static code analysis protects your Salesforce data:
- Early Detection of Security Vulnerabilities
- Reliable Updates and Applications
- Reduced Manual Processes
- Expedited Release Processes
- Continuous Monitoring
- Existing Code Scanning
- CI/CD Pipeline Integration
1. Early Detection of Security Vulnerabilities
Static code analysis checks for issues in your code as your developers write it. They receive a notification the moment an error is detected, so they can fix it in real time.
Immediate notification eliminates the possibility of late-stage recognition of coding errors, when they are more difficult and costly to rectify.
Catching these errors prior to sending the updates off to production ensures they don’t hit live environments and introduce real threats to your Salesforce environment.
2. Reliable Updates and Applications
A healthy DevOps pipeline empowers organizations to confidently and quickly introduce updates and applications. These can be used to introduce new capabilities or refine existing services.
Static code analysis offers comprehensive coverage so DevOps teams don’t have to worry about buggy code being deployed into an environment that threatens system data.
Teams that don’t need to rework updates after they’ve been released are free to focus on the next project.
3. Reduced Manual Processes
The application lifecycle includes a lot of repetitive processes. There are likely to be hundreds if not thousands of lines of code. Manually addressing all this material is bound to lead to errors and wasted time.
Automating the review of coding updates ensures they are performed as vigorously at the end of a long list as they are at the start.
Taking these tasks off your team members’ hands enables them to address more complex tasks, leading to a more enjoyable workday and more reliable product.
4. Expedited Release Processes
Along with increased reliability, automating manual tasks ensures they are performed much more quickly.
The ability to quickly introduce reliable updates and applications enables an organization to respond to emerging threats and secure their Salesforce environment.
A flexible Salesforce DevOps program is more agile when responding to threats. A stable platform is much less likely to experience a data loss event.
5. Continuous Monitoring
In Salesforce, visibility is key to maintaining data security. You can’t fix a problem if you don’t know it exists. And when it comes to developing an application, there is a lot to keep your eyes on.
Static code analysis keeps a constant vigil over the health and security of your updates, compiling key metrics and insights into dashboards and reports.
Combine this with a security posture management tool for comprehensive visiblity over critical considerations like proper permission settings and access controls.
6. Existing Code Scanning
Coding errors can sometimes slip through to production before a static code analysis tool is implemented. These mistakes might have been put aside to address later, then simply forgotten. This is known as technical debt.
A static code analysis tool scans for technical debt so these errors can be flagged before they negatively impact functionality and create data security vulnerabilities.
Technical debt can be a major data security liability. Finding and fixing these errors secures existing applications and protects Salesforce data.
7. CI/CD Pipeline Integration
Data security is not a singular effort that can be addressed and then checked off the to-do list. It’s an ongoing, multifaceted consideration that requires a comprehensive strategy. A big part of this strategy is employing the proper toolset.
Static code analysis fits seamlessly into a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline to provide an additional layer of testing.
Automating integration, testing, and deployment increases the reliability of the final product, strengthening data security and protecting sensitive Salesforce data.
Next Step…
Data security is an ongoing, evolving consideration. Your team’s behavior plays a massive role in your ability to remain secure.
Read our ebook, Staying Safe From the Inside Out: Creating a Secure Culture in Salesforce DevOps, to learn what you can do to ensure your team is on the same page when it comes to data security.
FAQs
How does static code analysis fit into the Salesforce DevOps pipeline?
Static code analysis plays a critical role in the Salesforce DevOps pipeline by automating security and quality checks throughout the development process. It is typically integrated into a CI/CD pipeline, running automatically with every code commit, ensuring that potential vulnerabilities or code quality issues are identified early. By embedding static code analysis in the pipeline, teams can enforce Salesforce security standards. This continuous monitoring streamlines the release process, reduces manual code reviews, and ensures that deployments are secure, compliant, and free from bugs that could compromise Salesforce data integrity.
What specific Salesforce security standards does static code analysis enforce?
Static code analysis helps enforce several key Salesforce security standards, particularly those related to CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) and FLS (Field-Level Security). It ensures that code properly respects user permissions, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data. It also checks for vulnerabilities such as SOQL injection attacks and improper use of sharing rules, ensuring that queries and data access follow secure practices. Additionally, static analysis helps ensure compliance with Salesforce’s secure coding guidelines, including proper data validation, secure authentication practices, and handling of third-party integrations.
How often should static code analysis be performed in Salesforce DevOps?
Static code analysis should be performed regularly throughout the entire Salesforce development lifecycle. Ideally, it should be run with every code change or new feature development to catch issues early. Integrating static analysis into a CI/CD pipeline ensures that security checks are automated with every commit, maintaining continuous code quality. Additionally, a full scan should be done before every major release to ensure no new vulnerabilities are introduced. For legacy code, regular scans ensure it remains compliant with updated security standards.
