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Code Review

What is Code Review?

The systematic examination of source code to identify security vulnerabilities, coding errors, and deviations from secure coding standards before deployment.

Information Security

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as code review. The number is how many controls name both.

What the standards actually require on code review

Requirements naming code review across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

BSIMM3 controls

Code Review. Code review is made mandatory for all projects so coverage is consistent.

CR1.5 · Make code review mandatory for all projects
NIST SP 800-2182 controls

Perform the code review and/or code analysis based on the organization's secure coding standards, and record and triage the discovered issues.

SP800-218-PW.7.2 · Perform Code Review and Analysis

Implement branch protection + code review + repository governance per OpenSSF Scorecard checks Branch-Protection + Code-Review + Maintained.

OSSFSC-1 · Branch Protection, Code Review, and Repository Governance

Require peer review on every code change with explicit security review criteria, and use CodeGuru Reviewer or similar to augment human review.

SEC11-BP04 · Conduct code reviews

Code reviews are utilised to ensure software meets Secure by Design principles and practices as well as secure programming practices.

ISM-2060 · Code reviews are utilised to ensure software meets Secure by Design principles and practic

Code changes addressing vulnerabilities are developed following secure development practices, peer review, and quality gates equivalent to standard releases.

30111-6.6 · Patch Development and Code Review

Questions people ask about code review

What is Code Review?
The systematic examination of source code to identify security vulnerabilities, coding errors, and deviations from secure coding standards before deployment.
Why is Code Review important for compliance?
Code Review is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding code review helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Code Review?
Code Review appears in the requirement text of BSIMM, NIST SP 800-218, OpenSSF Scorecard, AWS Well-Architected Security Pillar, Australian Information Security Manual. Across these standards we have identified 10 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Code Review?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how code review applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Code Review applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.