Application Security Specialist Hire
Applications are the beating heart of every organisation and the largest attack surface. From secure coding and SAST/DAST to threat modeling and OWASP: MVPeople Group delivers application security specialists who embed security into your software development process with tools such as Checkmarx, Snyk, SonarQube and Veracode.
Application security: shift left in practice
Application security, or AppSec, is the discipline that ensures software is securely designed, developed, tested and maintained. The "shift left" principle is central: integrating security as early as possible in the development process, from threat modeling in the design phase to automated security testing in the CI/CD pipeline.
The OWASP Top 10 remains the standard reference for the most common application vulnerabilities: injection, broken authentication, sensitive data exposure and security misconfiguration. But modern AppSec goes beyond ticking off a checklist. It requires a cultural change where developers consider security as an integral part of their work and security tooling is seamlessly integrated into the development workflow.
The Dutch market has a growing demand for application security expertise. Organisations undergoing digital transformation develop increasingly more custom software and APIs, expanding the attack surface. NIS2 and sector-specific regulations require demonstrable secure development practices. At the same time, experienced AppSec professionals who master both development and security are scarce and highly sought after.
MVPeople Group has a network of application security professionals: from hands-on AppSec engineers who implement SAST/DAST tools and conduct code reviews to strategic application security architects who design secure development lifecycles and set up Security Champion programmes.
Application security profiles we deliver
From hands-on AppSec engineers to strategic security architects: we deliver the right profile for your application security challenge.
AppSec Engineer
Integrates security into the software development process. Implements SAST/DAST tools in the CI/CD pipeline, conducts security code reviews and guides development teams in writing secure code according to OWASP guidelines.
Security Champion
Acts as the security point of contact within a development team. Combines development experience with security knowledge to promote secure coding practices, prioritise vulnerabilities and increase security awareness.
Threat Modeler
Specialist in systematically identifying threats in application architectures. Applies methodologies such as STRIDE, PASTA and Attack Trees to identify and mitigate security risks early in the design process.
SAST/DAST Specialist
Deep expertise in static and dynamic application security testing tools. Implements and configures Checkmarx, Snyk, SonarQube, Veracode or Burp Suite and optimises vulnerability detection with minimal false positives.
Application Security Architect
Designs the overarching application security strategy and architecture. Defines secure development lifecycles (SDLC), security gates, tooling standards and governance frameworks for the entire application portfolio.
Certifications in our network
Frequently asked questions about Application Security
What does an application security engineer do exactly?
An application security engineer ensures that applications are securely designed, developed and maintained. This includes conducting threat modeling, implementing SAST and DAST tools in the CI/CD pipeline, reviewing code for security vulnerabilities, guiding developers in secure coding practices and defining security requirements for new features. The AppSec engineer bridges the gap between development and security.
What is the difference between SAST and DAST?
Static Application Security Testing (SAST) analyses the source code or compiled code without running the application. It finds vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, XSS and hardcoded credentials early in the development process. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tests the running application by sending HTTP requests and analysing the responses. DAST finds runtime vulnerabilities such as authentication issues and server misconfigurations. Both techniques are complementary and together essential for a complete picture.
Why is threat modeling important?
Threat modeling identifies security risks in the design phase, when fixing problems is cheapest. By systematically analysing which threats are relevant to an application architecture, security measures can be proactively designed rather than reactively added. Methodologies such as STRIDE and PASTA help structure this process. Organisations that apply threat modeling significantly reduce the number of vulnerabilities in production.
Which application security tools are most in demand?
In the Dutch market, Checkmarx, Snyk and SonarQube are the most requested SAST tools. For DAST, Burp Suite Professional, OWASP ZAP and Veracode are widely deployed. Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tools such as Snyk, Black Duck and Dependabot are increasingly important for managing open-source vulnerabilities. The choice depends on the tech stack, maturity level and integration with existing CI/CD pipelines.
How quickly can an application security specialist start?
We typically present suitable application security profiles within 5 to 10 working days. Experienced AppSec engineers who master both development and security are scarce in the Dutch market. For senior roles such as application security architects, the search time may be longer. Contact us for a realistic estimate based on your specific requirements.
What is a Security Champion programme?
A Security Champion programme designates a person in each development team as the security point of contact. These champions receive additional security training and serve as the first line for security questions, code reviews and prioritising vulnerabilities. The programme scales application security knowledge across the entire organisation without every team needing a dedicated AppSec engineer. MVPeople Group delivers professionals who set up and guide Security Champion programmes.
Does MVPeople also deliver AppSec for projects?
Through our MVProjects service line, we deliver application security specialists for project-based assignments: setting up a secure SDLC, implementing SAST/DAST tooling, threat modeling workshops and security code reviews. Additionally, through MVPeople we deliver interim AppSec engineers who join your development organisation for longer periods.
Need an application security specialist?
From AppSec engineers to security architects: we deliver the application security professionals who make your software secure.