Application security is the term for the security measures taken to make sure data and code within an application are safeguarded from being accessed by unauthorized users or hackers. It's a process that involves developing, adding security features, and testing those features to mitigate risks and guard against threats that have been identified. Application security is critical because of the vulnerabilities of apps, particularly at the network or cloud level. There's increasing pressure from businesses and consumers to maximize security both at the network level and within apps to protect against hacker attacks. Various types of application security include authentication, authorization, encryption, logging, and testing.‎

If you're interested in helping to guard against the malicious attacks that applications are vulnerable to, learning about application security is a must. Most employers don't have the time for employees to learn the necessary skills on the job. Having firsthand knowledge and a strong grasp of skills like application security testing, computer security incident management, threat intelligence, and digital forensics helps set you firmly on the path to shifting or advancing your IT career. For aspiring developers and app startups, application security is essential for protecting brand image, building consumer confidence, and safeguarding data for your business and your customers.‎

A career as an application security engineer, application security analyst, or application security manager is only a sampling of the ways you can leverage your skills and knowledge. For example, if you're passionate about helping to shape policy, you might work within software development, helping to architect the process to weave security standards into development. If you prefer working independently, you could become a consultant to companies across all industries, helping them identify security risks and implement security measures to guard against them. Some of the tech giants, including Amazon and Google, actively seek candidates with in-depth knowledge of mobile and Android application architecture, programming languages like Java and .NET, and the ability to think beyond firewalls to pinpoint potential problems and innovate solutions. Similarly, there's demand in finance, healthcare, and the government for application security professionals.‎