Render Security Checklist
Last updated: January 12, 2026
Use this checklist to ensure your Render application is secure before launch. 2 critical items require immediate attention.
Why This Security Checklist Matters
Security checklists serve as systematic guides for identifying vulnerabilities that might otherwise be overlooked during rapid development cycles. For Render applications specifically, this checklist addresses the most common security gaps that emerge when using AI-assisted development workflows.
Research from multiple security organizations indicates that approximately 80% of AI-built applications contain at least one exploitable vulnerability at launch. The vulnerabilities are often predictable—they follow patterns that this checklist is designed to catch. By systematically reviewing each item, you significantly reduce the risk of launching an insecure application.
Unlike generic security checklists, this guide focuses specifically on vulnerabilities prevalent in Render applications. Each item has been prioritized based on real-world attack patterns and the potential impact of exploitation. Critical items should be addressed before any production deployment.
Critical Priority
Critical items can lead to complete application compromise, data breaches, or unauthorized access to all user accounts. These must be addressed before deploying to production. Attackers actively scan for these vulnerabilities.
High Priority
High priority items represent significant security risks that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data or functionality. While not immediately catastrophic, these vulnerabilities should be fixed as soon as possible.
Medium/Low Priority
Medium and low priority items strengthen your overall security posture. While they may not be immediately exploitable, addressing them prevents attack chains and defense-in-depth gaps.
Manual vs Automated Security Checking
While manual security reviews are thorough, they're time-consuming and prone to human error. Automated scanning catches common vulnerabilities instantly, freeing you to focus on business logic and complex security decisions.
Items VAS Automates
- Exposed API keys and secrets in JavaScript bundles
- HTTP security header configuration
- Supabase RLS policy testing
- Firebase Security Rules validation
- Cookie security attributes
Manual Review Still Required
- Business logic vulnerabilities
- Custom authentication implementations
- Access control logic in API routes
- Data validation requirements
- Third-party integration security
Environment Variables
Use environment groups for organization
Group related secrets for easier management
Never commit secrets to repository
AutoRender injects env vars at runtime - keep them out of git
Use secret files for multi-line secrets
For certificates and keys, use Render's secret files feature
Separate environments properly
Use different env vars for staging and production
Private Networking
Use private services for databases
Keep databases on private network, not exposed to internet
Configure internal service communication
Use Render's private network for service-to-service calls
Limit public exposure
Only expose web services that need public access
Use internal DNS for service discovery
Reference services by internal hostname
Database Security
Use Render's managed PostgreSQL
Managed databases have security defaults configured
Enable SSL for database connections
Ensure connections to PostgreSQL use SSL
Configure connection limits
Set appropriate connection pool sizes
Set up automatic backups
Configure backup retention for data protection
Deployment Security
Use Dockerfiles for reproducible builds
Dockerfiles ensure consistent, auditable builds
Configure health checks
Set up health checks for reliable deployments
Enable auto-deploy carefully
Consider requiring manual deploys for production
Review build logs for secrets
Ensure secrets aren't printed during builds
Don't Check Manually
VAS automatically checks 1 of these 16 items. Get instant results with detailed remediation guidance.
Run Automated Security ScanFrequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between critical and high priority items?
Critical items represent immediate security risks that could lead to data breach if not addressed - like missing database access controls or exposed secrets. High priority items are important but typically require an additional vulnerability to exploit.
Can I skip low priority items?
Low priority items provide defense-in-depth but aren't immediate risks. Address all critical and high items before launch. Low items can be added post-launch, but shouldn't be ignored entirely - they protect against edge cases and future vulnerabilities.
How often should I re-run this checklist?
Re-run after major feature additions, authentication changes, or new database tables. Set up automated scanning with VAS to catch regressions. Many teams integrate security scans into their CI/CD pipeline for continuous verification.
What does 'Auto-Scanned' mean on checklist items?
Items marked 'Auto-Scanned' can be automatically verified by VAS. Instead of manually checking each item, run a VAS scan to instantly verify these items against your deployed application. Non-automated items require manual verification.