What is the primary purpose of secure coding practices?

The primary purpose of secure coding practices is to reduce vulnerabilities and protect applications from exploits. This focus on security aims to address potential weaknesses in the code that could be targeted by malicious actors. By implementing secure coding practices, developers can proactively identify and mitigate risks associated with common attack vectors, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and buffer overflows.

These practices involve following established guidelines, conducting regular code reviews, and using tools designed to identify security flaws in the code. By adopting a security-first mindset throughout the software development lifecycle, developers create more resilient applications that can safeguard sensitive data and maintain user trust.