You’re two weeks away from launching a key digital platform, and suddenly your team spots a flaw in a login API that could let attackers bypass authentication and access user accounts. The dev team scrambles, but stakeholders are under pressure to get things fixed fast without delaying the launch. That’s the kind of scenario where the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10 can make all the difference.
It gives you an immediate checklist of the most critical application risks so your leadership team can act with clarity and urgency.
In this insight, we’ll break down what the OWASP Top 10 is, what each category means for your organization, and what practical steps you can take to reduce risk, strengthen compliance, and build trust.
The OWASP Top 10 is a community-driven list of the ten most critical security risks to web applications. It is maintained by OWASP, a global nonprofit that promotes secure software development. The list is based on real-world data contributed by dozens of organizations and security professionals worldwide.
It’s not a law or a regulation, but it is widely accepted as a de facto standard. It’s referenced by frameworks like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). For leaders, that means it carries weight during audits, vendor reviews, and board-level conversations about risk.
The OWASP Top 10 isn’t just a list for developers. It’s a strategic tool for leaders to:
When leadership embraces the OWASP Top 10, security becomes a shared language across business and technical teams.
Here’s what each risk means, why it matters, and how it can affect your business:
What it is: When users can access data or systems they shouldn’t.
Why it matters: Attackers may gain administrative privileges or extract sensitive data.
Risk to your org: Breach of customer data, loss of control, compliance violations.
What it is: Weak or misapplied encryption that fails to protect sensitive data.
Why it matters: Even if data is stolen, encryption should keep it safe.
Risk to your org: Exposure of financial records, legal documents, or health data.
What it is: Attackers insert malicious code into an application. For example, SQL injection.
Why it matters: The attacker tricks the system into executing harmful commands.
Risk to your org: Data theft, manipulation, or full system compromise.
What it is: Security gaps baked into the system’s architecture or workflows.
Why it matters: Even perfectly written code can be vulnerable if the design itself is flawed.
Risk to your org: Systemic weaknesses that are hard to fix later.
What it is: Default settings, unnecessary features, or open access left on by mistake.
Why it matters: Misconfigurations are often overlooked and exploited.
Risk to your org: Entry points for attackers that bypass more advanced defenses.
What it is: Using third-party software libraries with known issues.
Why it matters: Attackers often target outdated software first.
Risk to your org: Reused vulnerabilities and exposure to supply chain attacks.
What it is: Login and identity systems that can be bypassed or broken.
Why it matters: Unauthorized users may impersonate others or escalate privileges.
Risk to your org: Account takeovers, fraud, and loss of trust.
What it is: Systems that don’t verify the integrity of software or data updates.
Why it matters: Attackers can inject malicious code during updates or deployments.
Risk to your org: Compromised applications, ransomware risk, disrupted operations.
What it is: Not recording or alerting when suspicious activity occurs.
Why it matters: Breaches often go undetected without proper logging.
Risk to your org: Delayed response, missed incidents, greater impact.
What it is: Trick the server into sending unauthorized requests—often to internal systems.
Why it matters: Gives attackers indirect access to private infrastructure.
Risk to your org: Internal service exposure and data leakage.
If your teams are building or managing applications, the OWASP Top 10 is your foundation for managing risk. It helps leaders make decisions that are informed, timely, and defensible.
At Galson Research, we help you put these principles into practice translating technical risk into business clarity. Whether you're reviewing architecture or vetting a vendor, aligning with OWASP gives you an edge.
Want to understand where your current risks map to the OWASP Top 10? Let’s talk.
It is a list of the ten most critical web application security risks, published by the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP). It is based on real data and expert consensus.
OWASP updates the list every few years. The current version was released in 2021, based on data from over 500,000 applications.
No, but it is widely referenced in regulatory frameworks and audit requirements. Many organizations treat it as a best practice baseline.
While developers use it daily, CISOs, CTOs, and other tech leaders use it to guide security strategy, risk reporting, and compliance efforts.
You can find the official documentation at owasp.org.