Low-code/no-code (LC/NC) platforms are reshaping software development. What previously required months of coding can now be achieved in weeks or even days by business users with minimal technical knowledge. Drag-and-drop interfaces, prebuilt connectors, and reusable templates make software development faster, more accessible, and more flexible than ever.
The No & Low-Code Development Platform market was valued at
USD 13.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 45.5 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 14.5% from 2026 to 2033, reflecting rapid adoption across industries (Verified Market Research).
Yet, as adoption accelerates, the speed and accessibility that drive innovation can also amplify exposure to cyber threats and compliance failures.
The Price of Ignoring LC/NC Security
Low-code/no-code platforms accelerate innovation but introduce risks across finance, operations, reputation, and compliance. Ignoring these risks can have consequences far beyond IT headaches:
- Financial loss: Global data breaches cost an average of $4.44 million in 2025 (Source: IBM). Shadow IT and unchecked LC/NC workflows multiply exposure, while mishandled data or regulatory non-compliance can trigger fines, audits, and operational disruptions.
- Operational disruption: Unvetted applications can halt mission-critical processes, create workflow inefficiencies, or introduce hidden errors that slow teams and impact business continuity.
- Reputational damage: Breaches, data mishandling, or process failures erode customer and partner trust, undermining brand credibility.
- Compliance risk: Rapidly developed applications may bypass internal controls or regulatory standards, increasing the likelihood of audits, fines, and legal exposure.
Accelerating innovation without structured security is a double-edged sword. Organizations may gain speed in development but face elevated exposure across financial, operational, and regulatory dimensions.
Understanding LC/NC Threats
The democratization of software development introduces new risks that traditional IT teams weren’t designed to handle. Some of the most common threats include:
- Shadow IT: Employees may build applications outside IT oversight, creating hidden risks for sensitive data. These apps often bypass security checks, leaving gaps that attackers can exploit.
- Data leakage: Misconfigured connectors to databases, APIs, or cloud services can unintentionally expose sensitive information to internal or external actors.
- Weak authentication and authorization: One-click integrations with enterprise systems, if not secured with multi-factor authentication (MFA), can allow attackers to assume legitimate identities.
- Insecure third-party components: Reusable templates, plug-ins, and extensions may carry vulnerabilities. Without proper vetting, these components can introduce backdoors or malware.
- Insider threats: Citizen developers may unknowingly grant overly broad permissions, while malicious employees can intentionally manipulate applications.
- Regulatory compliance risks: Unmanaged apps may store or process personal data in violation of GDPR, HIPAA, or other standards, exposing organizations to fines and legal scrutiny.
To proactively address these risks, organizations can use a structured threat modeling approach that identifies, categorizes, and mitigates vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Threat Modeling: A Step-by-Step Guide
Effective threat modeling is a structured process that allows organizations to think like attackers, anticipate risks, and implement defenses proactively.
Step 1: Identify Critical Assets
Pinpoint what matters most. This includes:
- Customer records in CRM systems
- Employee health information in HR apps
- Financial workflows in expense management platforms
Step 2: Map Data Flow and Architecture
Visualize how data moves between applications, databases, and third-party services. Mapping highlights weak points such as unencrypted transfers, poorly secured APIs, and misconfigured connectors. Understanding data flow also ensures compliance with data residency and regulatory requirements.
Step 3: Define Potential Threats Using STRIDE
The STRIDE framework—Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service, Elevation of Privilege helps organizations systematically identify, categorize, and prioritize LC/NC risks. This structured approach ensures resources focus on high-risk applications and workflows first, helping prevent breaches and operational disruptions.
- Spoofing: Attackers impersonate legitimate users.
- Tampering: Unauthorized changes to workflow logic or application data.
- Repudiation: Actions that users can deny or that leave no trace, making accountability and audits difficult.
- Information Disclosure: Accidental or intentional leaks of sensitive data.
- Denial of Service: Disruption of business processes, preventing normal operations.
- Elevation of Privilege: Exploiting gaps in permissions to gain unauthorized access.
Step 4: Prioritize and Mitigate
High-value applications—handling payments, personal information, or critical operations—require immediate attention. Mitigations include:
- Encryption for data at rest and in transit
- Role-based access control
- Automated monitoring and alerts
- Periodic security reviews and patching
Prioritization ensures security efforts are focused where they matter most, rather than spreading resources thinly across all apps.
Real-World Example: Neon Mobile
A real-world case highlights why proactive threat modeling is essential. Neon Mobile encouraged users to record phone calls for AI training, rapidly climbing to the No. 2 spot on Apple’s U.S. App Store Social Networking chart.
Security Gaps:
- Call recordings and transcripts stored without encryption
- Weak access controls allowed unauthorized data access
- Users were not informed that calls were being recorded
Impact:
- Sensitive user data could be accessed by attackers
- Breaches remained undetected due to insufficient monitoring
- App was temporarily taken offline for security upgrades
Lessons Learned:
- Embed security from the earliest stages of LC/NC development
- Enforce strict access controls
- Ensure transparency and informed consent
- Conduct regular audits and monitoring
Source: TechCrunch
With risks understood and threats mapped, organizations can now operationalize security across their LC/NC landscape.
Operationalizing LC/NC Security
Securing LC/NC platforms requires a combination of governance, technical controls, and cultural alignment.
Governance & Policy:
Organizations should mandate IT oversight for sensitive apps, approve libraries and connectors, monitor shadow IT, and define full application lifecycle management from approval to retirement.
Advanced Threat Practices:
Threat modeling should be integrated into DevSecOps pipelines to ensure automated testing, vulnerability scanning, and compliance checks match traditional development rigor. Applying Zero Trust principles ensures continuous authentication and authorization, reducing exposure. AI-powered threat detection can simulate attack scenarios and reveal overlooked risks. Training non-technical developers on permissions, encryption, and safe integrations mitigates human error and accidental exposure.
Monitoring & Incident Response:
Continuous logging of user actions, workflow changes, and data access events is essential. Monitoring detects anomalies or policy violations, and a robust incident response plan should cover detection, containment, remediation, communication, and post-incident review.
Vendor & Third-Party Risk:
Evaluate supplier security certifications, regularly assess templates, plug-ins, and connectors, and monitor for emerging threats. Supply chain oversight is critical to prevent cascading vulnerabilities.
Metrics & Culture:
Track shadow IT remediation, multi-factor authentication adoption, compliance coverage, and audit frequency. Foster a security-aware culture by training citizen developers, creating internal security champions, and incentivizing secure development practices.
Emerging Threats on the Horizon
As LC/NC adoption grows, organizations face new challenges:
- AI-driven attacks exploiting automated workflows
- Cross-platform orchestration vulnerabilities
- Increasingly complex integrations with enterprise systems
Forward-looking threat modeling ensures defenses evolve alongside innovation, keeping pace with technological growth.
Building Fast, Building Safe
Low-code/no-code platforms enable rapid innovation, reduce IT bottlenecks, and allow organizations to respond quickly to market needs. However, without structured threat modeling, these same platforms can expose businesses to risks that compromise trust, compliance, and continuity.
By identifying critical assets, mapping data flows, anticipating threats, implementing defenses, and fostering a security-conscious culture, organizations can unlock the full potential of LC/NC platforms safely and confidently.
“The real power of low-code comes not just from who can build, but from how securely we allow them to build.”
Take Action with Confidence
Navigating the risks of low-code/no-code platforms requires a structured approach to threat modeling, governance, and security best practices.
Partner with SISAR to secure your innovation and gain guidance to help protect critical data, manage operational risk, and enable secure innovation.
