Schellman Software Security Assessment (S³A)

To help you manage the security of your software development lifecycle (SDLC), ensure consistent secure coding practices, and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, we offer a customized assessment that is based on components of several security standards that can be tailored to your unique threat profile.

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Secure Your Software Through a Holistic Approach—and Assessment

Though software has recently become the foundation of security, the vulnerabilities that affect it persist and remain a significant threat to developers. To effectively protect against things like exploitation of unpatched software, lack of static and dynamic testing, and excessive permissions—among others—you need to take a comprehensive approach to the security of your SDLC.

A comprehensive approach deserves a comprehensive assessment, which is why we have cultivated a unique option for organizations that want to prioritize their software security.

Our Schellman Software Security Assessment (S³A) Requirements Draw From Many Industry-Recognized Standards:

The NIST Software Security Framework (SSF)
The NIST 800-218 Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF)
The NIST 800-171 Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)
The PCI Secure Controls Framework (SCF)
ISO/IEC standards

Our Schellman Software Security Assessment (S³A) Could Help You…

Improve Your Software Security and Enhance Your Risk Management Practices

Given its systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and managing cybersecurity risks in software, this assessment can help you improve your development processes, reduce the most common risk and attack vectors, and improve your overall cybersecurity posture.

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Better Your Odds with Insurance

Having an S3A report in hand will communicate your commitment to security to potential insurers, who may then be enticed to reduce your premiums.

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Address More Extensive Compliance Concerns

So many different compliance standards address software security in some way—because we can tailor our S3A assessment to your needs, the process could help you get started in more broadly addressing your other requirements.

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Provide Cost-Effective Third-Party Validation

Our assessment deliverables will provide your customers, partners, and stakeholders with independent validation of your cybersecurity posture—helping both you and them to rest easier.

Your Schellman Software Security Assessment (S³A) Options

S³A Foundational*
Includes core evaluation of your:

Software development lifecycle (SDLC) processes
Basic secure code development training capabilities for engineering personnel
Secure code testing practices
Source code security
Separation of duties

S³A Intermediate
Includes an evaluation of your foundational controls plus a review of:

Security and authentication to source code
Use of static and dynamic testing
Review of advanced secure coding and testing capabilities for engineering personnel
Review of Software Bills of Material (SBOM)

S³A Comprehensive
Includes an assessment of your software practices against the full NIST Software Security Framework, complemented by the NIST CSF.

Meet Your Schellman Software Security Assessment (S³A) Expert, Joe O'Donnell

Joe O'Donnell is a Manager with Schellman mainly dedicated to the PCI and PCI specialty service lines. Before focusing his career on IT auditing services, Joe worked as an Enterprise Operations Computing Analyst where he gained experience in IT systems analysis and data center operations.

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Schellman Software Security Assessment (S³A) Methodology

When you partner with us for our S³A assessment, you will eventually gain peace of mind and confidence in your software and software development security after a process we break down into five distinct phases:

1. Planning Phase (2 - 4 weeks)

First, we’ll work together to identify any in-scope lines of business, systems, and platforms, shared services applications, and component applications, as well as any specifics regarding your data handled and other significant processes.

2. Risk Assessment (OPTIONAL)

If included, we’ll conduct a thorough risk assessment that identifies the unique risks and threats to your software.

3. Control Mapping and Testing (2 – 4 weeks)

As we map your security controls to the framework subcategories, we’ll begin with a select number of control areas and range upwards to a full NIST Software Security Framework assessment.

For each identified subcategory you include, we’ll review documentation and technical evidence and perform testing to determine your Framework Implementation Tier (i.e., maturity rating) for each.

4. Remediation and Finding Closure (1-2 weeks)

Wherever we note where you did not meet control requirements—or where you have opportunities to improve security and development flow—you’ll develop, document, and implement remediation plans before we review your updates and perform retesting.

5. Final Reporting (3 – 4 weeks)

We’ll provide a final, detailed, internal-only analysis of the framework as well as our findings and recommendations for improving your software security and achieving compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

*You can also request an external-facing report documenting the scope, activities, and high-level findings related to the assessment.

You may also choose to expand your project to include more specific reports like a SOC 2+ with the NIST Software Security requirements or a SOC for Supply Chain report.

Schellman Software Security Assessment (S3A)