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7 Steps to Get Started with Security and Privacy Engineering

December 4, 2024 | Cybersecurity, Privacy, Security Engineering

By: Julie Mungai

For startups, security and privacy engineering can feel daunting. Limited resources, competing priorities, and the pressure to deliver products quickly often push these considerations to the back-burner. However, embedding security and privacy from the outset saves costs, builds trust, and ensures scalability. 

So, how can startups get started? We’ve outlined seven steps.

1. Start with Governance Lite

Even without formal governance structures, startups can adopt a lightweight framework that provides direction:

  • Draft a Data Policy: Outline how data is collected, stored, and used, even if it’s just a one-pager. This will guide decisions as you grow.
  • Assign Responsibility: Designate someone—often a technical co-founder or lead engineer—as responsible for security and privacy, even part-time.
  • Focus on the Basics: Prioritize critical areas such as user data protection, access controls, and incident response.

2. Leverage Existing Standards and Tools

Startups don’t need to reinvent the wheel—established frameworks and tools can jumpstart efforts:

  • Adopt Proven Frameworks: Use simple guidelines like the CIS Controls or OWASP Top 10 to identify low-hanging fruit for security improvements.
  • Use Free/Open-Source Tools: Tools like Let’s Encrypt (for SSL/TLS certificates) and OWASP ZAP (for application security testing) provide robust solutions without heavy financial investment.

3. Integrate Security and Privacy by Design

Embedding security and privacy into product development ensures these elements grow with your startup:

  • Use Secure Development Practices: Train developers in secure coding practices, such as input validation and avoiding hardcoding secrets.
  • Limit Data Collection: Implement privacy principles like data minimization—only collect what you absolutely need.
  • Automate from Day One: Use automated tools for vulnerability scanning, dependency management, and compliance checks. Tools like Snyk, Dependabot, and others can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines.

4. Focus on Early Wins

Startups thrive on quick wins, so prioritize actions with the highest impact for the lowest effort:

  • Encrypt Everything: Apply encryption for data at rest and in transit using readily available libraries.
  • Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA for internal and customer accounts.
  • Audit Access: Regularly review access to sensitive systems and data.

5. Partner for Expertise

Startups often lack in-house expertise, but external help can fill the gap:

  • Engage Experts: Hire a security consultant, such as BARR Advisory Cybersecurity Consulting, or privacy advisor on a contract basis to establish foundational practices.
  • Use Third-Party Tools: Adopt managed security services (e.g., cloud providers’ built-in security features) to offload technical complexities.

6. Make Security and Privacy Part of Your Brand

Startups that lead with privacy and security differentiate themselves in the market:

  • Be Transparent: Communicate your commitment to security and privacy with customers. Even small steps, like publishing your data handling practices, build trust.
  • Demonstrate Compliance Early (When Possible): Consider pursuing certifications ISO 27001 or conducting independent audits such as SOC 2 if they align with your target market. This can unlock opportunities with enterprise clients. Pro tip: BARR Advisory Attest Services is here to help.

7. Build a Security-First Culture

For startups, culture is everything. A security-first mindset ensures practices scale as the company grows:

  • Lead by Example: Founders and leadership must champion security and privacy from the start.
  • Train Early: Invest in security awareness for your team, even if it’s just a quick onboarding session on phishing and safe coding practices.
  • Incentivize Security: Reward employees who identify vulnerabilities or suggest ways to improve security and privacy.

Our team is ready to help you get it right the first time. Let’s explore your security and compliance goals and find a solution that’s right for your organization. Contact us today.

About the Author

Julie Mungai
Senior Manager, Attest Services

As a senior manager in BARR’s attest services practice, Julie brings extensive experience supporting internal audits, SOX audits, various cybersecurity compliance framework audits, and technology risk management in support of organizational programs and initiatives. Outside of work, she volunteers with the ISACA SheLeads Tech and IAPP on task forces to help shape the future of information security and privacy. Julie is a CISA, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, CCSK, and CIPT.

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