MVP Security
The minimum security your MVP needs before launch—and what can wait until later.
Must Have Before Launch
Users can only access their own accounts. Password reset doesn't expose accounts. Sessions expire.
Users can only read/write their own data. No IDOR vulnerabilities. Roles enforced server-side.
No API keys in code. No credentials in public repos. .gitignore configured properly.
All traffic encrypted. No mixed content. Secure cookies flag set.
Prevent SQL injection, XSS, and command injection. Validate and sanitize all inputs.
Prevent brute force on login. Limit API abuse. Protect against DoS.
Can Wait Until Later
Only needed when enterprise customers require it
Makes sense at scale, not for early MVPs
More valuable after you've built more features
Founders can handle basics; hire after Series A
Basic logging is enough for MVPs
Use existing solutions; build later if needed
MVP Security Checklist
Before Launch
- Run a security scan on your deployed app
- Test login/signup flow for common issues
- Verify users can't access each other's data
- Check that secrets aren't in your code repo
- Confirm HTTPS is working correctly
- Test password reset flow for security issues
After Launch
- Monitor for unusual activity patterns
- Set up alerts for failed login spikes
- Keep dependencies updated
- Back up your data regularly
- Document what you're logging
MVP Security in 4 Hours
Ready to Launch?
Run a quick security scan to catch the obvious issues before your MVP goes live.
Free Pre-Launch ScanFrequently Asked Questions
How much security does an MVP need?
Enough to not get breached and not lose user trust. This means: working authentication, proper authorization (users only see their own data), no exposed secrets, HTTPS, and basic input validation. You don't need enterprise-grade security, but you need the basics.
Should I delay my MVP launch for security?
Only if you have critical vulnerabilities. Missing SOC 2? Launch anyway. Missing basic auth? Don't launch. The core security items (auth, authorization, secrets) can be built in a day. If those are done, ship it.
What's the minimum security for a vibe-coded MVP?
Same as any MVP, but with extra scrutiny. AI-generated code often has auth gaps. Run a security scan, manually test that users can't access each other's data, and verify there are no hardcoded credentials. This takes an hour and can save you from disaster.
When should I invest more in security?
When any of these happen: enterprise customers require it, you're handling sensitive data (health, finance), you've raised significant funding, or you've experienced a security incident. Until then, maintain basics and add incrementally.
What's the biggest MVP security mistake?
Assuming 'small' means 'safe.' Automated attacks don't care about your company size. The most common MVP breaches come from exposed API keys, missing authorization (users seeing others' data), and admin panels without authentication.
Last updated: January 16, 2026