Manual Code Review involves security experts meticulously examining the source code to identify vulnerabilities that automated tools might miss. This process includes:

• Critical Path Analysis: Focusing on the most sensitive and critical parts of the application, such as authentication mechanisms, access control, and data validation processes.
• Business Logic Testing: Ensuring that the application’s business logic does not introduce security vulnerabilities, such as privilege escalation or logic flaws that could be exploited by attackers.
• Custom Code Review: Reviewing custom-built functions and modules that may not be adequately covered by automated tools, such as unique algorithms or proprietary integrations.
• Code Style and Standards: Assessing adherence to secure coding guidelines and best practices, which can reduce the likelihood of introducing vulnerabilities.

Threat Modeling is a proactive methodology used to identify and prioritize potential security threats based on the application’s architecture and code. Key aspects include:

• Asset Identification: Identifying the critical assets within the application that need protection, such as sensitive data, user credentials, and proprietary algorithms.
• Threat Identification: Determining potential attack vectors and threat actors that could target the application, considering both external and internal threats.
• Attack Surface Analysis: Mapping out the application’s attack surface to identify areas that could be targeted by attackers, such as exposed APIs, third-party integrations, and data flows.
• Mitigation Strategy: Developing strategies to mitigate identified threats, including code changes, architectural adjustments, or additional security controls.

Ensuring the code complies with relevant industry standards and regulations, such as:

• OWASP Top 10: Checking for vulnerabilities outlined in the OWASP Top 10, a widely recognized list of the most critical web application security risks.
• CWE/SANS Top 25: Addressing common weaknesses identified in the CWE/SANS Top 25, which highlights the most dangerous software errors.
• PCI DSS Compliance: Ensuring the code meets the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements for handling and processing payment card information.
• HIPAA Compliance: For healthcare applications, ensuring that the code complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) security and privacy requirements.