Australian organisations face a real challenge in combating the rise in cyber threats. According to the 2023–24 Annual Cyber Threat Report there were over 1,000 data breach notifications in FY2023-24, marking a 13% increase compared to the previous year’s report. Of these breaches, 41% were attributed to cyber security incidents, with compromised credentials accounting for 60% and ransomware incidents making up 26%. This data highlights the urgent need for organisations to prioritise robust application security measures.
This article highlights 15 compelling reasons why application security is a must-have for Australian organisations in 2025. From protecting sensitive data to ensuring compliance with various regulations, the following will clarify how your organisation benefits from adopting AppSec as a Service. Continue reading for compelling reasons why application security integration might be the best security investment for your business this year.
Over 1,000 data breach notifications in FY2023-24. Of these breaches –
41% were attributed to cyber security incidents with a further:
Source: 2023–24 Annual Cyber Threat Report
1. Escalating Challenges to Security
The volume and sophistication of cyberattacks continue to grow each year, with malicious actors targeting organisations across all industries. Applications, central to modern business operations, are prime targets due to the sensitive data they process.
Application security provides continuous threat monitoring, leveraging advanced technologies and expertise to identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited. This proactive approach ensures that businesses stay one step ahead of evolving threats, reducing the likelihood of costly breaches and downtime.
2. Seek Advice on Your Application Security Strategy
Crafting an effective application security strategy can be daunting, especially for organisations without in-house security expertise. With the right guidance, you can build a resilient security framework that evolves with your organisation’s needs.
Application security offers tailored consultations from seasoned cybersecurity professionals. These experts assess your security posture, identify gaps, and recommend actionable solutions aligned with your business objectives and compliance requirements.
3. The Value of In-House Experts
Hiring and retaining skilled cybersecurity professionals is expensive and often out of reach for many small—to medium-sized enterprises. Even smaller businesses should be able to access world-class security solutions without overstretching their budgets.
Application security eliminates the need for full-time hires by providing access to a pool of highly skilled professionals. These services are typically subscription-based, allowing organisations to pay only for their needs.
4. Continuous Assurance and Control Monitoring
Traditional security measures, such as periodic penetration tests, provide only a snapshot of your application’s vulnerabilities at a given time.
Application security offers continuous monitoring and control, enabling real-time detection and remediation of security issues. These measures ensure that applications remain secure as they evolve.
5. Vulnerability Prioritisation
New vulnerabilities emerge every day, making it essential to prioritise and address the most critical threats first. In a situation with limited resources, these resources should be directed toward addressing the most critical risks, maximising the effectiveness of your security efforts.
Application security utilises sophisticated risk assessment methodologies to prioritise vulnerabilities based on their severity and potential impact on your organisation.
6. Strengthen your APIs
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are integral to modern software ecosystems and represent a significant attack vector. Application security focuses on implementing robust API security measures to protect against common vulnerabilities such as broken authentication, excessive data exposure, and improper asset management. These services include regular testing, secure API design reviews, and continuous monitoring.
7. Scalability and Flexibility
Application security offers flexibility and scalability to address an organisation’s changing security needs during its growth phase. Existing application security systems may no longer be compatible with the newer acquired tools. These changes can include the acquisition of new tools or adaptation to new regulatory standards.
As an organisation’s application security needs grow due to onboarding new infrastructure or expansion, the associated AppSec services can incorporate necessary modifications to accommodate the new and existing security policies.
8. Compliance with Regulations and Standards
Compliance with regulations like the Privacy Act, CPS 234, and international standards like ISO 27001 is non-negotiable for many Australian organisations.
Application security helps businesses meet these requirements by providing thorough assessments, documentation, and recommendations to align with regulatory standards. This proactive compliance management reduces the risk of penalties.
9. Tailored AppSec Training for Developers
Developers play a crucial role in ensuring application security, yet they often lack the specialised knowledge to write secure code.
Application security bridges this gap by offering tailored training programs that empower developers to identify and mitigate security risks during development. These training sessions are designed to be practical and relevant, enhancing the overall security culture within your organisation.
10. Taking a Proactive Approach to Security
A reactive approach to security can leave organisations vulnerable to unforeseen threats. Application security adopts a proactive stance, continuously assessing and improving your application’s security posture. Identifying potential vulnerabilities early and addressing them before they become critical issues, these services minimise the risk of data breaches and other cyber incidents.
11. Seamless Integration with Your Processes
Implementing security measures shouldn’t disrupt your existing workflows. Application security seamlessly integrates with your current development and deployment pipelines, ensuring that security becomes an inherent part of your processes. This integration enhances efficiency, reduces bottlenecks, and ensures that applications are secure without hindering innovation or time-to-market.
12. Early Detection and Response
The earlier a vulnerability is identified, the easier and less costly it is to address. Application security incorporates automated testing tools and real-time monitoring to detect vulnerabilities during the development lifecycle. This early detection capability reduces remediation costs and prevents security issues from escalating into full-blown incidents.
13. Enhanced Collaboration Across Teams
Application security is no longer a practice only managed by the IT or security team. Application security allows developers, security, and operations teams to work together effectively and provides a sense of shared responsibility.
This approach ensures that all security concerns are addressed during every development lifecycle phase, leading to more reliable and secure applications.
14. Business Continuity and Resilience
Cyber incidents can halt operations, result in a loss of consumer trust, and lead to monetary loss. Application security reduces these risks by ensuring security is given all the focus, including incident response coverage. As a result, while there is an operational activity within the application security strategy, the organisation’s reputation and bottom line are safely guarded.
15. Improved Customer Trust
Where competition is now quite high, having proof of a strong security environment is one of the strongest stand-out factors. By prioritising the protection of their data, customers tend to trust organisations more.
With application security, your applications are secured from breaches, and your brand further proves its commitment to protecting client information, which boosts brand trust and loyalty.
Conclusion
The stakes for application security have never been higher as organisations face increasing complexity in managing threats and vulnerabilities. Traditional approaches often fail to provide the agility and depth needed to address modern cybersecurity challenges. By adopting Application Security as a Service, organisations gain a comprehensive solution that combines expert guidance, state-of-the-art tools, and continuous protection.
Application security proactively addresses vulnerabilities, ensures compliance, and keeps critical applications secure and operational. It safeguards your organisation against threats and builds customer trust. By embedding security into every stage of development and operations, it delivers tangible benefits that drive resilience and reliability.
Galah Cyber can help with Application Security
Galah Cyber’s AppSec as a Service ensures your software applications and infrastructure are protected at every stage. From the development lifecycle (SDLC) to live environments, our experts identify risks and deliver practical solutions tailored to your needs. By combining advanced tools and proactive strategies, we help you maintain security, reliability, and compliance across your applications.
Explore how we can support your organisation by visiting our AppSec as a Service page today.
