Introduction to Web3 Security Roadmap

Web3 projects, which involve cryptocurrencies and smart contracts, are at high risk of getting their funds stolen directly from digital wallets and the project's own smart contracts. Because blockchain technology is open and shared, it not only shows how money moves around, but also exposes the code of smart contracts and any weaknesses they might have. While this openness allows for building applications that don't rely on a central authority, it also changes how we deal with security flaws. Sometimes, a single unpatched weakness can lead to millions of user funds being stolen, completely destroying a project's reputation and its ability to continue operating.

What is security for a Web3 project?

The core of Web3 project security depends on the team's commitment to cybersecurity. Just doing a few security checks or practices right before a project is launched isn't good enough.
With blockchain and smart contracts, saying a project is "99% secure" actually means it's NOT SECURE at all. Realistically, Web3 security efforts need to go far beyond the basic requirements. This means having many layers of security activities to protect against threats to any part of the system. Such efforts need to be planned and carried out in a very organized way.

What is Web3 Security Roadmap

A Security Roadmap is a tool that helps a product development team systematically plan and perform the necessary steps to build a secure Web3 project as they work on it.

Think of the Security Roadmap as a fundamental change in how we view security. Instead of seeing it as a few separate, reactive tasks (often just a tiny line item in a development schedule), it becomes an ongoing process deeply woven into how the organization works.

The Roadmap acts as a clear visual guide to the product's security journey. For the teams working on it, investors, and other interested parties, it provides transparency and directly answers the question: "What are we doing about security?" This clarity sets realistic expectations, prevents repeated questions, and gets everyone on the same page about how strategically important security initiatives are.

The plans laid out in the Security Roadmap turn into specific, real actions at every stage of the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle):
Planning, Development, Testing, Operations.

How it helps

Without a strategic plan like a Roadmap, security tasks are often put off in favor of developing faster, which leads to a build-up of "security debt" - problems that will need to be fixed later. The Security Roadmap acts as a strategic plan to manage this debt.

And since a Security Roadmap is meant to be open about what it contains, it acts as a promise or commitment to stick to its schedule. This keeps the team focused on following through with the planned activities.

How it works

The Security Roadmap uses a "shift left" security approach. This means putting security practices into the software development process as early as possible. By adding security checks into every phase, organizations can find and fix weaknesses when it's cheapest and easiest to do so, instead of finding them during the expensive and stressful time right before launch.

Knowing all the steps the team will take to create the final product beforehand makes it possible to create a plan of activities to strengthen the project's security.

How to Build Your Security Roadmap

Developing a project's Security Roadmap should involve many people. The person in charge needs to have a deep understanding of Web3 project security. This role can be filled by someone on the team or an outside expert. A wide range of leaders should also be involved, including top management, IT, legal, and business operations.

Your Roadmap must be custom-made for your product, match its goals, and be in sync with the project's development stages. You can find detailed information on how to create your own Security Roadmap here.

The impact on marketing

A public Web3 Security Roadmap helps you build a long-term competitive edge based on the most valuable thing in the digital world: trust.

Showing a clear commitment to security, communicated through the progress of your Roadmap, becomes a significant way to stand out from the competition.