Web Application Security Best Practices for B2B Companies

In today’s increasingly digital world, web applications are more than just a front-facing channel — they’re often at the core of a business’s operations, customer engagement, and revenue generation. But with this growing dependency comes growing risk. According to recent data, over 70% of attacks on enterprise systems begin at the web application layer.

For B2B companies, especially those dealing with sensitive client data or operating in regulated industries, ensuring robust web application security is not just a technical requirement — it’s a business imperative.

Below, we explore the key web application security best practices that every B2B company should implement.

1. Integrate Security into the Development Lifecycle (DevSecOps)

Security must be baked into the software development process, not bolted on afterward. This means:

• Defining security requirements early in the planning stage.

• Conducting Static Application Security Testing (SAST) for source code.

• Using Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) in staging environments.

• Performing regular penetration testing.

• Automating security checks in CI/CD pipelines.

Pro tip: Tools like SonarQube, OWASP ZAP, or GitHub Advanced Security can be integrated directly into development workflows.

2. Use Strong Authentication & Authorization Controls

Poor access control remains one of the top vulnerabilities exploited in attacks.

• Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), especially for administrative accounts.

• Use standardized, well-tested protocols like OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, or SAML.

• Follow the principle of least privilege to limit access only to what users truly need.

3. Protect Against OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities

Every B2B web application should be tested for the OWASP Top 10, including:

• Injection attacks (e.g., SQL, NoSQL, OS command injection)

• Broken authentication

• Sensitive data exposure

• Security misconfiguration

• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

Regular code reviews, vulnerability scans, and using secure libraries can reduce these risks dramatically.

4. Encrypt All Data – In Transit and At Rest

Business applications often deal with contracts, payment info, customer records, and proprietary data.

• Use HTTPS with TLS 1.2 or higher for all traffic.

• Ensure sensitive data is encrypted at rest using strong algorithms like AES-256.

• Secure session cookies with the HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite flags.

5. Log, Monitor, and Alert

Real-time visibility is essential for fast threat detection.

• Implement centralized logging and monitoring using tools like ELK Stack, Datadog, or Splunk.

• Set up alerts for unusual patterns such as repeated login failures or unauthorized access attempts.

• Retain logs for at least 90 days for audit and investigation purposes.

6. Regularly Patch and Update Dependencies

Outdated frameworks, libraries, and plugins are a major attack vector.

• Automate dependency tracking using tools like Dependabot or Snyk.

• Set up automated patching for common vulnerabilities.

• Avoid using libraries that are no longer maintained or widely exploited.

7. Educate Your Development and Operations Teams

Security is a shared responsibility.

• Conduct regular training on secure coding practices and threat awareness.

• Share postmortems of past incidents to build internal knowledge.

• Stay up to date with emerging threats and new mitigation strategies.

Final Thoughts

Web application security is not a one-time task — it’s an ongoing commitment. For B2B companies, especially those building or relying on custom web platforms, applying these best practices helps protect not only your digital assets but also your reputation and client trust.

Whether you’re managing in-house development or outsourcing your application build, prioritize security from day one. If you’d like a consultation or a review of your current security posture, we’d be happy to help.