The empathetic side of secure software development

In the high stake world of software development, it is easy to put aside empathy and prioritize meeting deadlines. After all, developers are key players when you want to reduce time-to-market or deliver regular updates.

This can easily lead to the important aspect of application security not getting as much attention as it deserves. In some cases, it might even be relegated to the “extra-not-a-must” features category.

However, when empathy accompanies the entire development process, it easily extends to the users of the application. For instance, a project leader can take time to clearly explain the need for security features and give enough time for developers to implement them. This helps the developer understand the impact of the requirements they receive as it relates to how people use the application.

We Hack Purple is an online academy where developers go to learn how to create secure software. The founder, Tanya Janca, who is joining us in this episode, is a big believer in practicing kindness and empathy as a means of promoting application security.

Today, you’ll hear about what We Hack Purple does and its ultimate mission in software development. You’ll also hear about how Tanya practices empathy and the impact it has on her team. Additionally, you’ll hear about how they are empowering communities through their diversity scholarship program.

In this episode, you will learn:

How Tanya practices and encourages empathy in her work (01:20)Practical ways in which empathy can make a difference in application security (04:30)The reason Tanya opened the We Hack Purple academy (12:10)Why she came up with a diversity scholarship (18:30)

Connect with Tanya:

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Connect with Dave:

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Connect with Andra:

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