# 5 Ways To Ensure Authenticity Of Software Code

In the modern world, nearly every process is governed by some form of software code. People rely on software for various services, ranging from intense security and governance to simple and mundane things like communication with friends and family.

Considering the extent to which software runs our lives, people need to be wary of the possibility of cyber-attacks threatening the security and authenticity of software code. While researchers on cyber security have identified different strategies that can help ensure the authenticity of software code, these are the five best ways any developer must try out.


### Code Signing

The best way to identify whether software code has been tampered with and ascertain its authenticity is by putting a [code signing tool](https://www.encryptionconsulting.com/top-codesigning-tools/) in place. In simple terms, code signing is putting a signature or certificate into the structure of code such that anyone that runs the code can confirm that the code has not been altered after signing.

The digital signature serves as a seal or mark of quality, affirming the code's genuine nature. Since cybercriminals would not be privy to the framework of digitally signing the software as done by a genuine developer, the criminals would have no way of tampering with the code without messing up the digital signature.

As such, it would be easy for anyone to confirm the authenticity of the code afterward.

### Security Of Infrastructure

The software development infrastructure can significantly affect whether the software code is authentic. Here is an analogy that can help break down this concept further. When making a meal in the kitchen, the dishes you use can determine the taste of the food and its safety when consumed.

If you use dirty dishes, they might contaminate the food and make it unsuitable for human consumption. However, if you use clean dishes, you can clean out any messes that might arise from the get-go and make the meal better.

In software development, the infrastructure must be secure from any intrusion by unscrupulous individuals. With a secure infrastructure, it is easy to guarantee the authenticity of the end product.


### Management Of The Development Cycle

The development process determines a lot when it comes to the authenticity of the software code. When working on a project involving numerous engineers, it is essential to closely monitor and manage every element of the development cycle to evaluate the possibility of vulnerabilities before proceeding to the next stage.

Eliminating vulnerabilities that might pose a challenge to the authenticity of the software code once it is pushed into production can be highly beneficial since it means nipping every problem in the bud before it grows into a more significant issue.

Therefore, when running a [development project](https://theboringmagazine.com), it is essential to solving such issues without running into production before everything is ready.

### Access Restriction

In any software code, the access of different entities can affect the possibility of vulnerabilities which might affect the authenticity of the code. Therefore, all access must be limited to only those that need it for various purposes.

For instance, when working with a team, the team should only have access to the section of the code they are working on.


Developer teams can use version control systems such as git to monitor changes and restrict access when working on different forks or versions of the software code. Once the software has reached the user, it is also crucial to restrict what the users can do with the source code.

If the aim is to provide open-source software, then a user should only be able to make changes to their software rather than the software that other users are working on.

Doing so will help reduce the possibility of external factors affecting the authenticity of the software once it reaches the public domain.

### Quality Assurance

Finally, when working on software, using proper quality assurance mechanisms will undoubtedly go a long way toward guaranteeing the authenticity of the software code. First, every stage of development must be subjected to quality assurance.

If possible, teams should have individuals whose task is to review the code shipped by other team members before moving on to the next stage of the development process. Alternatively, development teams can subscribe their code to international standards such as the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 22, which will help assimilate the code to high security and authenticity levels determined at international levels.

## Parting Shot

With the continued spread of technology in modern times comes the necessity to ensure that all code used in different software is authentic to avoid the possibility of cyber-attacks and intrusion by unauthorized personnel.

The process of guaranteeing authenticity and security starts right from the development process, where the engineers must guarantee the security of the software, to the conclusion of the matter, where the engineers can use code signing tools to put a digital certificate that indicates the software is authentic.

It is also necessary for teams to use the international standards of quality subscribed to by different organizations to ensure that the software meets the authentication standards of the global sphere. Ultimately, doing so will help ensure that the software code is authentic.