What are application security controls?

Application security controls are measures implemented to mitigate security risks within the software. These controls are critical to ensure that the application is resistant to various security vulnerabilities and threats throughout its lifecycle. They encompass a variety of practices, such as secure coding techniques, input validation, authentication and authorization mechanisms, secure configuration management, and regular security testing.

By focusing on embedding security directly into the software rather than just assessing risks externally or conducting audits, these controls play a vital role in protecting sensitive data and maintaining the integrity and availability of applications. Their purpose is to create a robust defense against potential attacks that could exploit weaknesses in an application’s design or implementation, thereby ensuring a higher level of security.

While other options relate to security or application functions, they do not specifically address the proactive measures taken to ensure that security is integrated into the software itself.