A software company protects its source code and intellectual property with access controls on repositories, multi-factor authentication, application allowlisting, managed endpoint and email security, encryption and tested backups. Your code is the business, so no single control is enough. Layered security is what keeps it from being stolen, leaked or held to ransom.
The biggest risks are a compromised account, a stolen or lost device, and ransomware. Here’s the security that defends against all three.
1. Control who can reach the code
Access to your source control and code repositories should be granted by role and reviewed regularly, using security groups so only the right engineers reach the right code. Tight access control is the foundation of protecting IP.
2. Strong authentication
Multi-factor authentication on every account means a stolen password alone cannot reach your code. It is one of the most effective protections you can put in place, and it is quick to use.
3. Protected, encrypted devices
Engineering machines hold code, so they need endpoint protection, disk encryption and application allowlisting. A lost or stolen laptop should never mean a lost or stolen codebase.
4. Email security and backups
Managed email filtering stops the phishing that leads to account compromise, and tested, isolated backups of your code and systems mean ransomware can never hold you hostage. Together they close the most common routes to disaster.
A real example: code access kept tight
We supported a software company serving financial trading firms where access to code repositories and development tools was controlled by security groups, and developer machines were protected with allowlisting and endpoint security. Only approved tools could run, and only the right people could reach the code.
For a software, technology or financial trading firm, this is part of managed IT and security that usually costs about £45 to £100 per user per month, scaling with your headcount, your security needs and how much uptime the business depends on.
Why technology and trading firms choose First Stop IT
First Stop IT has supported businesses since 2002, including software and technology companies and firms that serve financial markets. We know the systems these teams depend on: secure VPN and remote access, source control and build pipelines, virtual dev and test environments, Microsoft 365 and Teams, and the security that banks and regulators expect, from multi-factor authentication and endpoint protection to application allowlisting and email security. We work with technology and trading firms in London and across Essex and Hertfordshire. Our credentials include:
- Cyber Essentials Certified
- IASME Cyber Assurance (Gold)
- NCSC Assured Service Provider (Cyber Advisor for Cyber Essentials)
- Microsoft Partner
- Crown Commercial Service Supplier (G-Cloud)
- Quality Principles Certified
We look after more than 2,000 endpoints across 50 companies, we’ve been named a Top 50 UK MSP for three years running, and we support organisations with 10 to 100 employees across Essex, Hertfordshire and London, including Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford.
Book a free IT and cyber security review
Want to be sure your code and IP are protected? Book a free IT and cyber security review with First Stop IT and we’ll find and close the gaps.