How Java Enables Secure Enterprise Application Development?

The loopholes and backdoors in the new-age technologies make way for most cyber criminals to attack websites and applications. As a result, enterprises who rely on innovative technologies for developing robust solutions, explore better ways to safeguard their data and applications from evolving security threats. And those companies who practice BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies, have greater chances of being targeted as their employees have complete access to enterprise apps and devices.

However, Java application development is relatively less immune to cybercrimes and malware attacks. To support this notion, we have outlined a few reasons how Java makes it easier for developers to develop secure applications through its various security features, tools, and mechanisms.

How To Build A Secure Enterprise Application With Java?

1. Inbuilt Security Features: Developers can leverage the built-in security features of Java to build secure enterprise apps. Java is type-safe and supports automatic memory management, garbage collection, and range-checking on arrays. It enables developers to control and restrict the access to various classes, fields and methods by precisely defining custom access modifiers. These features collectively enable a developer to write bug-free code. And an error-free code contributes towards the security of your enterprise application.
2. APIs for Important Security Areas:During Java application development, developers can use APIs specifically designed to prevent a hack in sensitive security areas. These Java APIs can be used for access control, authentication, secure communication, cryptography, and public key infrastructure. Additionally, the programming language comes with several pre-configured security providers that help a developer in implementing basic security services. It also allows developers to create custom security providers that are based on java.security.Provider class.
3. Basic and Form-based Authentication:Java enables developers to use both basic and form based authentication to check whether users have access to a protected section of the enterprise application. The basic authentication method depends on web servers to restrict unauthorized users from accessing protected sections. Hence, the web server only enables users to access the unprotected sections of the website. However, it will prompt the user to provide a valid password for accessing the restricted webpage. On the other hand, the form-based authentication will enable a user to access the unprotected areas of the website. But it will require the user to provide valid credentials for accessing the secure web pages.
4. Code and Caller Authorization:When a hacker submits unauthorized code, Java enables the programmer to prevent it from connecting to Enterprise Java Beans and other similar backend platforms. It does this by using two distinct authorization types – code and caller authorization. Developers can use code authorization to have a complete control over their code base. With this, the unauthorized or malicious code submitted by hackers will not be added to code base without authorization. Additionally, developers can even secure the application’s backend system by requiring each user to enter valid credentials. So, every time a user attempts to access the backend system, the application will prompt to authenticate the identity.
5. A Bunch of Security Tools:Java further provides a range of security tools to enhance the security of your enterprise application. Some of these security tools are designed to have graphical user interfaces while others are command-line tools. Developers must always opt for the commonly used tools such as jarsigner, jar, klist, kinit, ktab, keytool, and Policy tool. The jarsigner tool enables developers to add signatures for securing the app. With the jar tool, they can create Java Archive (JAR) files by compiling multiple files together. Similarly, the keytool generates public and private key pairs, issues security certificates, and replicates entries between keystores. However, the developer must select the security tools considering their choice of operating system.

The latest version of Java (Java 8) has numerous inbuilt security features to protect your enterprise application and data. Developers can go ahead and leverage various Java frameworks and tools to strengthen the security while ensuring application performance stays fast.

Do you know any other Java security features and tools for creating a secure enterprise app? Let us know in the comments below.

I am a writer, blogger and part-time traveler. Feel free to share reviews about my technical articles.