The Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) might sound like a technical term reserved for cybersecurity teams. But if you're a business leader, OWASP is a name you should know.
Let’s break it down and explain why OWASP matters to you.
OWASP stands for Open Worldwide Application Security Project. It is a global nonprofit community focused on improving software security. OWASP creates freely available tools, resources, and best practices to help organizations build secure applications.
The key? It's vendor-neutral, open-source, and backed by a global community of experts. That means you get trusted, practical guidance with no sales agenda.
Whether your teams build software in-house or rely on vendors, OWASP's frameworks help reduce risk and build trust.
Security is no longer just an IT issue. When systems fail, deals collapse. When breaches happen, trust erodes. You must understand what makes applications secure and what can make them vulnerable.
Here is why OWASP should be on your radar:
You don’t need to memorize technical details. Just get familiar with these three OWASP essentials:
A regularly updated list of the ten most critical security risks in web applications. Think of it as a cheat sheet for what your dev or vendor team should absolutely avoid.
Link: https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
A framework that helps verify how secure your applications are. It is useful when evaluating vendors or reviewing your internal development standards.
Link: https://owasp.org/www-project-application-security-verification-standard/
A model that helps organizations assess and improve their secure software practices. It provides a big-picture view of how security integrates with business functions.
Link: https://owaspsamm.org/
You don’t need to be technical to make OWASP part of your strategy. Start with these simple steps:
These actions show leadership, reduce blind spots, and foster a culture where security becomes everyone’s business.
OWASP is not just for developers or engineers. It is a powerful resource for executives who want to lead with clarity, reduce risk, and make smarter technology decisions.
At Galson Research, we actively use OWASP frameworks to support our clients' security strategies, and we have experts in our network who are part of the OWASP community and ready to provide guidance when needed.
Want to make OWASP part of your roadmap? Let’s talk.
OWASP stands for Open Worldwide Application Security Project. It is a nonprofit foundation that works to improve the security of software through open-source projects, community-led initiatives, and educational resources.
Yes. OWASP offers all of its resources, tools, and documentation for free. This includes the OWASP Top 10, SAMM, ASVS, and many other tools that support secure software development.
OWASP tools are used to identify, evaluate, and reduce security risks in software. They help teams detect vulnerabilities, build secure applications, and follow best practices across the development lifecycle.
OWASP is not a single methodology, but it provides multiple frameworks and models like ASVS and SAMM that can guide secure development practices. These resources help organizations implement consistent, measurable security processes.