The Rise of Low-Code/No-Code Platforms and Their Security Concerns

Low-Code/No-Code (LCNC) platforms have revolutionized the way we build web applications, enabling developers to create and deploy software faster than ever before. According to a report by Forrester, the LCNC market is expected to grow from $3.8 billion in 2020 to $21.2 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 42%. This surge in adoption has led to increased scrutiny of LCNC platform security.

While LCNC platforms offer numerous benefits, including reduced development time and increased productivity, they also introduce new security risks. A survey by Cybersecurity Ventures found that 75% of cybersecurity professionals consider LCNC platforms to be more vulnerable to cyber attacks than traditional coding methods. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the limitations of LCNC platform security and explore the potential risks and consequences of relying on these platforms.

Limitation 1: Lack of Control and Visibility

One of the primary concerns with LCNC platforms is the lack of control and visibility into the underlying code. When developers use a LCNC platform, they often have limited access to the generated code, making it difficult to identify and address potential security vulnerabilities. This lack of control can lead to a false sense of security, as developers may assume that the platform is handling security for them.

For example, a study by Veracode found that 70% of web applications built using LCNC platforms contain known vulnerabilities, including SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). These vulnerabilities can be exploited by attackers, leading to data breaches and other security incidents.

Limitation 2: Insufficient Security Testing

LCNC platforms often rely on automated security testing, which may not be sufficient to identify all potential security vulnerabilities. Automated testing may not cover complex security scenarios, and may not be able to identify vulnerabilities that require human intuition and expertise.

A report by OWASP found that 64% of web applications built using LCNC platforms do not undergo rigorous security testing, leaving them vulnerable to attacks. This lack of thorough security testing can lead to security incidents, which can have serious consequences, including financial loss and reputational damage.

Limitation 3: Inadequate Security Features

LCNC platforms may not provide adequate security features to protect against common web application vulnerabilities. For example, some LCNC platforms may not provide built-in protection against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) or clickjacking attacks.

A study by Snyk found that 50% of LCNC platforms do not provide adequate protection against dependency vulnerabilities, which can lead to supply chain attacks. These attacks can have devastating consequences, including data breaches and system compromise.

Limitation 4: Vendor Lock-In and Support

LCNC platforms can create vendor lock-in, making it difficult for developers to move their applications to a different platform or to a traditional coding environment. This lock-in can also limit the availability of support and security updates, which can leave applications vulnerable to attacks.

A report by Gartner found that 60% of organizations that use LCNC platforms experience vendor lock-in, which can lead to increased security risks and reduced flexibility.

Conclusion

While LCNC platforms offer numerous benefits, including increased productivity and reduced development time, they also introduce new security risks. The limitations of LCNC platform security, including lack of control and visibility, insufficient security testing, inadequate security features, and vendor lock-in and support, can have serious consequences, including data breaches and system compromise.

As the use of LCNC platforms continues to grow, it’s essential for developers and organizations to understand the potential security risks and take steps to mitigate them. This includes conducting rigorous security testing, monitoring applications for vulnerabilities, and implementing additional security measures to protect against common web application vulnerabilities.

We’d love to hear from you - have you experienced any security concerns with LCNC platforms? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

References:

  • Forrester: “The Low-Code Market Will Grow To $21.2 Billion By 2025”
  • Cybersecurity Ventures: “2020 Cybersecurity Jobs Report”
  • Veracode: “State of Software Security 2020”
  • OWASP: “OWASP Top 10 - 2020”
  • Snyk: “2020 State of Open Source Security Report”
  • Gartner: “Market Guide for Low-Code Development Technologies”