430 Reasons for securing software

Explore why software security matters—for users, organisations, and society at large.

Overview

Secure software development is not just a technical requirement—it is an ethical, legal, and commercial necessity. Every choice a developer makes affects not just the system, but also the people who use it. This chapter explores the broader reasons why software must be secure.

Students will examine both the positive impacts of secure systems—such as trust, reliability, and compliance—and the negative consequences of insecure ones, including legal, ethical, and social fallout.

Case studies and real-world incidents are used to illustrate how poor security can have lasting impacts on organisations and individuals.

Targets

In this chapter, students learn to:

• Describe the business, social, and legal benefits of secure software

• Analyse the consequences of security failures through real-world examples

• Explain how ethical responsibilities influence security decisions

• Understand how security contributes to product quality, trust, and long-term sustainability