Modern businesses can’t succeed and thrive if they don’t invest in solid software. 

The choice of software shapes the digital journey of a company, but it’s not easy to pick between a ready-made option or the creation of something one-of-a-kind, especially when security is involved.

Security in custom-made and ready-made software is a decisive factor if we take into account the increasing number of cyberattacks and the growing need for optimally secure software solutions in a highly digitalized world.

If you’re having doubts about whether a ready-made or custom software solution is the safer bet for your company, you have come to the right place!

Software security encompasses the use of security mechanisms with the end goal of making software resistant to attacks. Each software, no matter its type, has to undergo security testing before it can be sold so that its ability to withstand attacks can be established. 

Another important aspect of software security is teaching its users how to use the software properly and minimize the vulnerability of the system.

Without robust security protocols and measures, the risk of malware attacks increases. Unfortunately, they can significantly damage the software and compromise the functionality, availability, data, integrity, and authentication. 

Ready-made software is software that you can start using right after you buy it. 

It’s mass-marketed, generic, and designed to be suitable for a variety of businesses no matter their size, area, operation, or needs. 

Months or years may pass before the final product is available for purchase. The vendor is the owner of the software. 

A custom software solution is made from scratch to fit the unique needs of businesses. It takes time, planning, QA testing, custom coding, and higher investments. 

Unlike a ready-made option, a custom software solution is designed to meet the unique workflow of a company. It’s therefore highly customizable and flexible without limitations in features or functionalities. The company that buys it, owns it.

Focus on security matters in both cases. Let’s check out some of the main security features of these two software solutions:

As ready-made software is marketed towards a wider audience, several months or years may pass before the final product is ready. 

During this period, the software undergoes a series of security tests before it’s deemed secure and safe for global use. 

The development phase allows developers to address bugs and vulnerabilities adequately and timely. 

Unlike in the case of custom software where the owner and the developers’ team are in charge of the maintenance, with ready-made software, the regular security checkups and updates are usually the responsibility of the provider. 

They perform regular security checks and follow up with updates to ensure the software is up and running, secure, and threat-free. 

Thanks to the pre-existing support for ready-made software (user forums, FAQs, QA forums, support groups, etc.), those using the software and the vendor can scan for a potential solution to fix a bug or other common issue efficiently and quickly. 

This helps resume work faster and keeps users informed and reassured that they can easily find help either from these support groups or from vendors. 

With custom software that usually has a unique code, finding a solution in this way may not be available and it will require contacting the software developers team.  

Protection of data is of utmost importance for every industry and business, especially for sectors like healthcare, finance, banking, etc. 

To this extent, an experienced team of developers will apply a variety of measures to achieve this like secure coding practices, access control, authentication mechanisms, data encryption, safe data storage, regular testing and security auditing, training of employees, incident response plans, and regular monitoring. 

As custom software is owned by the company that paid for it, any attacks can be resolved timely by the team of developers who’re in charge because there’s no third party involved. 

On the other hand, a fast response may not always be quick with ready-made software that’s owned by the vendor and when there are plenty of third parties involved.

Experienced software developers will implement all necessary security measures during the development phase, including a risk management plan that can be activated in case of attacks or breaches to ensure fast resolution of issues.

When you invest in tailored software solutions, you get what you paid for, including a custom source code. 

This maximizes reliability and security and optimizes the prevention of hacker attacks since there aren’t third parties involved. 

On the other hand, using open-source code which may be studied by hackers to find potential weaknesses makes the system more vulnerable to attacks. 

No software solution is a hundred percent risk-free option. 

Choosing secure solutions is a much more complex process than a simple “yes, this option is better than the other.” Many factors need to be taken into account and security is no exception. 

Ready-made software is a reliable choice for many businesses because it goes through an extensive process of testing and adjusting before it’s launched. As it’s widely used, it’s continuously updated by providers to meet the latest security patches and lower the risk of cyber attacks. 

Security is of utmost importance in custom software development. From building a reliable and secure unique custom code for maximum security to a risk management plan used to respond to threats, it’s an unmatched solution for industries like healthcare and finance where maximum security is vital. 

If you’re searching for innovative software security measures for your business, an experienced software developers’ team is what you need. Consult our developers at Art Haus! For more than two decades, we’ve been providing exceptional IT solutions to clients globally.