How can app developers solve a problem like insecure code?

A UK government-funded body has laid out a battle plan to try to force an improvement in the way software is written, and recommends the formation of a new entity to raise security awareness among developers.

The Cyber Security Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) says 75% of security breaches occur as a result of software flaws that could be avoided if software developers had a better understanding of security and of how hackers operate.

The KTN has produced a white paper that lays out 18 initial recommendations for raising the standard of software. These include participation from professional bodies and universities, and a requirement for software companies to document their approach to security and make it available for inspection by purchasers.