Two-thirds of organisations at significant risk of software outage within next year

As businesses accelerate AI development, two-thirds of organisations face a significant risk of software outages in the coming year due to prioritising speed over quality.

According to a new report by testing and quality engineering firm Tricentis, nearly half (45%) of teams are focused on increasing delivery speed, while only 13% are prioritising software quality.

As a result, 66% of global organisations are at high risk of experiencing a software outage within the next 12 months. Alarmingly, over 60% admit to deploying code without fully testing it.

The report, which surveyed more than 2,700 DevOps and quality assurance leaders and software developers worldwide, included input from CIOs, CTOs, and VPs of engineering across sectors such as public services, energy and utilities, manufacturing, and financial services.

This puts companies at risk of security breaches, compliance failures, and increasing technical debt, maintenance costs, and customer churn, the report states.

McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco say IT outages were “unrelated”

An overwhelming 90% of CIOs, CTOs, and delivery teams are confident in AI’s ability to autonomously make software release decisions, and almost 100% see value in autonomous testing for quality assurance.

“Recent software outages caused by unchecked code changes underscore how vital high-quality software is to the broader organisational ecosystem,” said Kevin Thompson, CEO of Tricentis.

“As AI evolves, tech leaders must define what quality means for their organisation, finding the right balance between speed, quality, and cost through comprehensive testing strategies to drive better business outcomes.”

Andrew Power, head of UKI at Tricentis, added that the growing risk of software outages in the UK, now higher than the global average, is increasing the urgency for engineering teams to improve their development processes.

He noted that agentic AI offers a significant opportunity to boost productivity and software quality. By adopting autonomous testing and AI-led delivery tools, organisations can meet tight deadlines without compromising reliability.

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Data Privacy and Security Essential Considerations for Startup Software Development

In an age where data breaches and privacy concerns dominate headlines, startups venturing into software development face significant challenges in ensuring the safety and security of their users’ data. While the allure of rapid growth and innovation drives these budding enterprises, neglecting data privacy and security can lead to devastating consequences, including loss of trust, legal repercussions, and financial ruin.

Understanding the Stakes
Startups often possess valuable data assets, ranging from user information to proprietary algorithms. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a data breach in 2021 was a staggering $4.24 million globally, with costs varying by region and industry.

Moreover, in an era of increasing regulatory scrutiny, non-compliance with data protection laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) can lead to hefty fines and reputational damage.

Building a Culture of Security
Data privacy and security should not be treated as an afterthought but rather as core principles ingrained in the startup’s culture and practices.
Furthermore, partnering with a trusted platform like Lemon.io can provide startups with access to skilled developers who are well-versed in implementing robust security measures, thereby bolstering their efforts to build a culture of security from the ground up.

Implementing Robust Measures
Startups must adopt a multi-layered approach to data privacy and security, incorporating both technical safeguards and procedural controls.

Furthermore, startups should adhere to industry standards and best practices when designing their software architecture. Additionally, leveraging secure development methodologies such as Secure Software Development Life Cycle (SSDLC) ensures that security considerations are integrated into every phase of the software development process.

Prioritizing Privacy by Design
Privacy by Design (PbD) is a concept that advocates for embedding privacy controls into the design and architecture of software systems from the outset. By defaulting to the highest level of privacy protection, startups can build trust and differentiate themselves in the market.

Navigating Regulatory Compliance
Given the evolving regulatory landscape, startups must stay abreast of relevant data protection laws and regulations applicable to their operations. Seeking legal counsel and engaging compliance experts can help startups navigate the complexities of regulatory compliance, ensuring that their software development practices align with legal requirements and industry standards.

Final Words
In the hyper-connected digital economy, data privacy and security are not optional features but fundamental imperatives for startup software development. As custodians of sensitive information, startups have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of data privacy and security, safeguarding not only their own interests but also the trust and confidence of their stakeholders in an increasingly interconnected world.

_{The original content of the note was published on Moderndiplomacy.eu. To read the full note visit here}