A source code auditor is a cyber-security specialist who examines source code in applications for flaws or vulnerabilities that may affect functionality or security. To test the code, the code auditor must know the newest technologies and methods used by hackers and may need to mimic a cyber-attack. This work is extremely difficult and necessitates a thorough understanding of computer science, cyber security, and other issues. This page will go over how to become a source code auditor.
What is Source Code Auditor?
A source code auditor’s primary goal is to look for any security flaws or vulnerabilities in the source code. A source code auditor should also detect any violations of programming norms. This profession is akin to being a needle that attracts all the pieces of code that could potentially reveal crucial information about an organization’s internal system or database to potential hackers. Finally, a source code auditor should also check for any legal violations of the licenses that govern a certain open source project.
What does a Source Code Auditor do?
Auditing program and application code entail a thorough examination of source code. Auditors examine individual lines of code to find bugs, flaws, and syntax problems. They follow programming rules and conventions while detecting deviations that limit or prevent code efficacy. Source code auditors must also be well-versed in computer and computer science issues like networking, database security, computer forensics, and cryptography.
Penetration tests, authorization methods, and authentication mechanisms can all be performed by source code auditors. Source code auditors are cybersecurity professionals who look for bugs in code that expose sensitive information or allow unauthorized access. They also detect faults and potential problems in code that are unrelated to security. In addition, source code auditors in this position have programming skills, promoting communication and cooperation with software engineers and web developers.
Auditors of source codes prepare oral and written reports on their findings. They communicate information to technical and non-technical peers, and they frequently provide outcomes to legal and development teams. Source code auditors may conduct an audit as part of a criminal or civil inquiry following a data breach or security incident. Source code auditors frequently provide consulting services and are invited into firms regularly to evaluate code.
Source Code Auditor Roles and Responsibilities
Although numerous automated tools are available to conduct the task you will be performing, they lack the precise input that a human can provide. Therefore organizations still require someone to perform manual code audits, which is where you come in. As a result, you can anticipate the following:
- Analyze the source code line by line.
- Analyze code using penetration testing to see whether there are any high or low-risk vulnerabilities. Understand the features of a commercial open source license, such as intellectual property legislation.
- Conduct an audit and report your findings to the legal and development teams.
- Assist development teams in learning best practices for code creation to avoid vulnerabilities in the first place.
- Assist the development team in preparing code for audits.
- Examine a code’s authorization, session, authentication, and communication mechanisms.
- Find and fix a wide range of problems that lead to critical information leaks or unauthorized access.
- Investigate and evaluate third-party open source or commercial libraries.
- Conduct the audit, then file your findings and report them to the legal and engineering departments, along with your recommended next steps.
Qualifications and criteria for the position of Source Code Auditor
EDUCATION
Employers will likely require a bachelor’s degree in Computer Sciences, Cyber Security, or a similar technical discipline such as Engineering. When it comes to this career role, professional experience trumps a master’s degree. Consider gaining extensive real-world experience instead of pursuing a master’s degree.
EXPERIENCE AT WORK
This is mostly determined by the job posting and the organization’s specific needs. For example, organizations normally require at least two to three years of experience in auditing and information technology security.
PERFORMANCE SKILLS
Employers will expect you to regularly communicate with non-technical workers such as legal professionals and business managers. Therefore you should have strong oral and writing communication skills. You should also have strong problem-solving abilities, high ethical standards, and excellent project management capabilities.
When it comes to auditing, attention to detail is crucial. As a result, you should be someone who can readily detect minor bugs in a particular piece of code. In addition, auditors are expected to question what they learn. Therefore they must be extremely curious, with patience as an added advantage.
How to become a Source Code Auditor?
Security code auditors are also known as security analysts, information security analysts, information technology auditors, secure code auditors, security auditors, and source code auditors. Being a security code auditor requires a strong foundation in computer programming, operating systems, and network security and knowledge of encryption and penetration testing and experience with software security and auditing.
A security code auditor’s profession includes, as the name suggests, assessing the code that maintains computer systems safe. This position necessitates significant technical abilities and bears a great deal of responsibility. They must examine computer systems for flaws, vulnerabilities, and security hazards. They must also offer recommendations to appropriate persons for addressing and fixing any security concerns they discover. Unfortunately, organizations are frequently ignorant of security concerns until a security code auditor performs an audit and uncovers them. As a result, one of the most crucial responsibilities on the cybersecurity team is that of a security code auditor.
Security code for education
Auditor positions necessitate a thorough understanding of computer science, networks, systems, and all aspects of information security. A college education should also be comprehensive in scope. Degrees in computer science or a discipline linked to cybersecurity are preferred. Coursework should include as many distinct cybersecurity fields as is reasonably practicable. Consider adding the following to your college courses:
- Penetration testing
- Cryptography
- Cyber security law
- Computer forensics
- Networking
- Programming in several languages
- Database security
- Software engineering
Initial Career Path
Although a security code auditor is not an entry-level profession, the right jobs for breaking into the cybersecurity field will provide a solid basis for a career. Good starting infosec posts for a career as a security code auditor include:
- Network administrator Security administrator
- Forensics on digital media
- Assessor of Vulnerabilities
- Tester of penetration
Professional credentials
Employers are continuously on the lookout for a potential employee’s ability to learn all of the important aspects of the position being sought.
Professional credentials are, without a doubt, the most effective method of achieving this validation in the field of cybersecurity. Several cybersecurity organizations and continuing education venues provide a variety of certificates in the most important information security areas. Some of the certifications that would-be or current security code auditors should seek to include the following:
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) from EC-Council
- Certified Security Analyst (ECSA), also from EC-Council
- PenTest+ from CompTIA
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
- Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Never, ever stop learning
Computer technology and cybersecurity strategies are constantly changing, at times at dizzying speed. Keeping up to date on all developments in all elements of security code auditing is critical to preserving an edge and having a long and successful career.
What is the skill required to become Source Code Auditor?
- Knowledge of IT Security hardware, software, and solutions that is up to date
- Current knowledge of the source code programming languages you will evaluate, such as C#, C++,.NET, Java, Perl, PHP, Python, or Ruby On Rails, etc.
- Extensive knowledge of computer operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and UNIX/Linux
- An analytical mind capable of making sense of source code.
- It would help if you were organized, efficient, and capable of working unattended on your initiative.
What is Source Code Auditor Salary 2022?
According to simplyhired, the median compensation for a security code auditor is $65,286 per year, with salaries ranging from $50,000 to $90,000+. It is crucial to remember, however, that this compensation range will be determined by the employment level (whether it is an entry, mid, or senior) and your educational history.