������Ƶ

A Secure Development Policy guides how organizations build and maintain secure software and systems throughout their lifecycle. It sets clear rules for developers and IT teams to follow Danish data protection requirements and cybersecurity best practices, particularly around handling sensitive personal data under GDPR and the Danish Data Protection Act.

This policy helps companies catch security issues early by establishing mandatory security reviews, code testing standards, and incident response procedures. Danish businesses use it to protect their digital assets, meet compliance requirements, and demonstrate due diligence to regulators and customers. It covers everything from secure coding guidelines to vulnerability management and third-party component security.

Put a Secure Development Policy in place before your team starts any new software development project, especially when handling sensitive personal data under Danish law. This policy becomes essential when building systems that process health records, financial information, or other data covered by GDPR and the Danish Data Protection Act.

The policy needs updating when your organization adopts new development tools, faces emerging security threats, or receives updated regulatory guidance from Datatilsynet. Many Danish companies implement it during digital transformation projects, when scaling up their development teams, or after security incidents reveal gaps in their existing procedures.

• Basic Security-First Policy: Core policy focused on fundamental secure coding practices, vulnerability scanning, and data protection basics - ideal for smaller Danish companies and startups
• Enterprise Framework Policy: Comprehensive version covering advanced security controls, third-party integrations, and complex compliance requirements for large organizations
• Cloud-Native Policy: Specialized for cloud development environments, emphasizing containerization security and Danish data residency requirements
• Agile Development Policy: Adapted for sprint-based development cycles with integrated security checkpoints and rapid deployment considerations
• Industry-Specific Policy: Tailored versions for financial services, healthcare, or public sector organizations with sector-specific security controls

• Development Teams: Primary users who must follow the Secure Development Policy daily when writing code, testing applications, and deploying updates
• IT Security Officers: Responsible for drafting, updating, and enforcing the policy across development projects
• Legal Compliance Teams: Ensure the policy aligns with Danish data protection laws and GDPR requirements
• Project Managers: Integrate security requirements into development timelines and ensure team compliance
• Third-Party Vendors: Must adhere to the policy when contributing code or integrating with company systems
• Quality Assurance Teams: Verify security controls and policy compliance during testing phases

• Development Stack Review: Document all programming languages, frameworks, and tools your team uses
• Risk Assessment: Map out data types handled, potential security threats, and compliance requirements under Danish law
• Team Structure: List all roles involved in development, including external contractors and third-party vendors
• Security Controls: Identify existing security measures and gaps in your development process
• Compliance Check: Review GDPR requirements and Datatilsynet guidelines relevant to your development activities
• Stakeholder Input: Gather feedback from development teams, security experts, and legal advisors
• Implementation Plan: Create a timeline for policy rollout, training, and compliance monitoring

• Policy Scope: Clear definition of covered development activities, systems, and team members
• Security Requirements: Specific coding standards, testing protocols, and security controls aligned with Danish cybersecurity guidelines
• Data Protection Measures: GDPR-compliant procedures for handling personal data during development
• Access Controls: Rules for code repository access, deployment permissions, and authentication requirements
• Incident Response: Procedures for handling security breaches during development
• Compliance Framework: References to relevant Danish laws and industry standards
• Review Process: Schedule and criteria for regular policy updates and security assessments
• Enforcement Mechanisms: Consequences of non-compliance and remediation procedures

A Secure Development Policy is often confused with an IT Security Policy, but they serve distinct purposes in Danish organizations. While both address digital security, their scope and implementation differ significantly.

• Focus and Scope: Secure Development Policy specifically governs the software development lifecycle and coding practices, while IT Security Policy covers broader technology use across the organization
• Primary Users: Development teams and technical staff implement the Secure Development Policy, whereas IT Security Policy applies to all employees using company systems
• Technical Detail: Secure Development Policy contains specific coding standards and security testing requirements, while IT Security Policy focuses on general security practices like password management and data access
• Compliance Context: Secure Development Policy addresses GDPR requirements specifically in software creation, while IT Security Policy covers overall data protection compliance
• Update Frequency: Secure Development Policy requires more frequent updates to match evolving development practices and security threats