CISOs' guide to low-code security: Separating fact from fiction

The enterprise software landscape has fundamentally shifted. Traditional development cycles that once took months are now driven by demands for solutions in weeks—or even days. This pressure has sparked the rapid adoption of low-code platforms and is changing how organizations build and deploy applications.

What are low-code platforms? 

Low-code platforms enable users to create applications through visual interfaces and drag-and-drop components, with minimal traditional coding. They offer:

• Pre-built templates

• Automated workflows

• Integrated databases

With these features, tasks that once required dedicated development teams can now be handled by business analysts and power users who have received proper training.

Why the surge in adoption?  

The numbers highlight the trend: According to Gartner, 70% of all development activities will involve low-code platforms by 2025 (source).

Three critical drivers are fueling this growth:

• Accelerated digital transformation

  • Digitizing processes and automating workflows is now essential for survival.

  • Organizations need to create customer-facing applications rapidly.

  • Traditional development can't keep up with today's speed requirements.

• Shortage of skilled developers

  • The global shortage of skilled technology professionals, particularly in cybersecurity, is estimated to be over 3.4 million open positions (source).

  • Relying solely on new hires is no longer sustainable.

  • Low-code platforms empower current business users to build the applications they need.

• Demand for faster time-to-market

  • Market pressures require the launch of new products and services quickly.

  • Low-code platforms reduce development cycles from months to weeks.

  • Teams can test ideas, iterate, and respond to opportunities with agility.

The evolving role of the CISO  

As low-code adoption accelerates, CISOs face a unique two-pronged challenge:

• Ensuring these platforms meet strict security standards

• Providing governance to maintain control over the application environment

The role extends beyond traditional oversight.

Today's CISOs need to:

• Assess how low-code platforms fit with existing security frameworks.

• Evaluate vendor security practices.

• Establish governance models that balance innovation and risk.

The decisions CISOs make now will determine whether low-code becomes a strategic asset—or a security liability.

Setting the stage for secure low-code adoption

Succeeding with low-code requires the following:

• Separating facts from fiction about security capabilities

• Understanding real risks and opportunities

• Developing clear frameworks for secure adoption across the enterprise

Debunking low-code security myths 

Low-code adoption is accelerating, but some common myths still cause hesitation for CISOs. Here's what you need to know:

• Myth 1: Low-code apps are less secure.

  Modern low-code platforms, like Zoho Creator, build security in from the ground up—offering encryption, robust access controls, and compliance certifications.

• Myth 2: Low-code enables shadow IT.

  With the right governance and oversight, low-code actually reduces shadow IT by channeling app development through approved policies and IT visibility.

• Myth 3: Compliance isn't possible with low-code.

  Advanced platforms support global regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, providing automated audit trails and built-in compliance tools.

• Myth 4: Low-code isn't for mission-critical apps.

  Enterprise-grade platforms now support complex, high-volume, and mission-critical use cases—backed by cloud scalability and reliability.

Understanding these realities positions CISOs to confidently evaluate and govern low-code adoption, driving both innovation and security.

These myths often mask the real security discussion CISOs should be having: How do we govern rapid application development while maintaining security standards?

The answer lies in treating low-code as a strategic technology capability rather than a departmental tool. This means establishing security frameworks that accommodate rapid development cycles, creating governance processes that scale with increased application velocity, and building partnerships between IT security teams and business units.

Focus your evaluation on platform security architecture, governance capabilities, and integration with existing security tools rather than development methodology concerns. The organizations succeeding with low-code security have embraced these platforms as extensions of their enterprise security strategy, not exceptions to it.

Security and governance best practices for low-code adoption  

Establishing a strong security and governance framework is essential for CISOs guiding low-code adoption. While these platforms accelerate development, they also introduce new considerations for risk management, oversight, and compliance. The following best practices offer a roadmap for building secure, scalable, and well-governed low-code environments.

Vendor due diligence  

Begin by verifying that vendors meet key industry certifications such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II. Go beyond certifications by requesting recent results from security assessments like SAST and DAST, and reviewing penetration test reports. Evaluate a vendor's responsiveness to vulnerabilities and transparency during incidents to anticipate support quality. This process ensures your chosen platform is committed to ongoing security improvements.

Practical checks for CISOs:

• Confirm encryption for data at rest and in transit.

• Review vendor security assessment frequency and reporting.

• Validate built-in monitoring and logging capabilities.

• Ask about zero-day vulnerability management.

Centralized governance  

Low-code development moves fast—but governance shouldn't slow progress. Build a governance structure that brings together IT security, business leaders, and compliance experts. Define workflows for application approvals that vary by risk profile, so simple internal solutions move quickly, and customer-facing apps receive thorough reviews.

Ongoing visibility is critical. Implement monitoring systems that track app creation, usage, and integration points to make it easier to spot risks early and take corrective action.

Governance essentials:

• Classify apps by sensitivity (public, internal, confidential, restricted).

• Standardize reviews and compliance checks.

• Set up regular assessments and escalation paths for risks.

Secure development practices  

Weave security checks into every stage of the low-code lifecycle. Modern platforms help automate vulnerability scanning and configuration checks as apps are built and updated. Maintain a software bill of materials (SBOM) to track components and dependencies and aid in vulnerability management and supply chain transparency.

Set clear standards for configuring secure integrations and workflows. Even when code is minimal, security risks can arise from misconfigured APIs or permission settings.

Where automation adds value:

• Automated scans during development catch risks early.

• Compliance checks help enforce data-handling rules.

• Security tests on integrations reduce third-party risks.

Training and awareness  

Your security posture is only as strong as your least-informed user. Offer targeted training for business users building simple automations and for power users creating complex applications. Provide hands-on guidance for secure design, data privacy, and compliance requirements. Encourage teamwork between IT and business units with regular workshops or feedback sessions.

Core training topics:

• Data classification, handling, and privacy

• Secure integration of third-party tools

• Compliance basics for regulated data

• Incident response and escalation

Leveraging AI for enhanced security 

Modern low-code platforms embed artificial intelligence to advance application security and compliance. By using AI to detect deviations, recommend secure configurations, and automate monitoring, your organization gains stronger, more consistent security controls across the entire development lifecycle.

Key AI-driven capabilities include:

• Real-time policy enforcement and risk detection

• Predictive threat analysis to identify emerging vulnerabilities

• Automated compliance validation throughout development, deployment, and operations

These capabilities enable your security team to maintain visibility and control at scale while accelerating innovation—so you don't have to compromise speed for protection.

Next steps for CISOs  

• Audit current workflows and security practices.

• Pinpoint opportunities for low-code to add value securely.

• Select platforms with strong security credentials and AI capabilities.

• Launch small-scale pilots and adapt based on outcomes.

• Define clear, ongoing governance metrics to track progress.

Low-code platforms have matured into secure, scalable solutions that address both business agility and security requirements. For CISOs, embracing low-code with strong governance isn't just a technology shift; it's a chance to support rapid innovation while upholding rigorous security standards. With the right oversight, low-code becomes a powerful strategic asset in the evolving enterprise landscape.