Minimum Viable Security for Your MVP Launch
Launching fast doesn't mean launching insecure. There's a minimum set of security measures every MVP needs before accepting real users and data. Skip these and your launch becomes a liability.
Get security coverage specific to your use case.
Why Security Matters for MVP Launch
The MVP mindset of "ship fast, fix later" is dangerous for security. Once you have real users, a breach affects real people. The reputational damage from an early breach can kill a startup before it gets traction. The good news: minimum viable security doesn't require weeks of work. A focused afternoon of security hardening can cover the critical items. VAS can scan your app and tell you exactly what to fix before launch.
Security Risks
Database exposed without RLS
criticalYour most common MVP risk — Supabase/Firebase data accessible to any authenticated user.
Mitigation
Add RLS policies before launch. Even basic "users can only read their own data" policies prevent the worst data exposure.
API keys in frontend code
highSecret API keys (Stripe, OpenAI, etc.) visible in your JavaScript bundle.
Mitigation
Move all secret API calls to server-side routes. Only public keys (Supabase anon, Firebase config) should be in frontend code.
No HTTPS
highTransmitting user data over unencrypted connections.
Mitigation
Use a hosting provider that provides HTTPS by default (Vercel, Netlify, Railway). Redirect all HTTP to HTTPS.
Security Checklist
The single most impactful security measure. Prevents unauthorized data access.
No API keys, database passwords, or service credentials in code.
All traffic encrypted in transit. Most hosts do this automatically.
Login required for any page or API that accesses user-specific data.
Automated security scan catches issues you missed in 5 minutes.
At minimum, add X-Content-Type-Options and X-Frame-Options.
Don't expose stack traces or internal errors to users.
Real-World Scenario
A solo developer builds a task management MVP in a weekend using Lovable. They're excited about their 50 beta signups and launch immediately. Within hours, a beta user discovers they can see all other users' tasks by querying the Supabase API directly — no RLS is configured. The developer spends the next day scrambling to fix it while apologizing to beta users whose task data (including client names and project details) was exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the absolute minimum security for an MVP?
Four things: 1) RLS/Security Rules on your database, 2) Secrets in environment variables (not code), 3) HTTPS everywhere, 4) Authentication on protected routes. These take 2-4 hours and prevent the worst outcomes.
Can I add security after launch?
You can improve security after launch, but the basics must be in place before real users sign up. Once you have user data, a breach has consequences. The four minimum items above are non-negotiable for launch.
Is a security scan worth it for an MVP?
Yes. A VAS Starter Scan costs $5 and takes 5 minutes. It catches the most common issues in vibe-coded apps automatically. Fix the critical and high findings before launch, and you've covered 90% of the risk.
Security for Other Use Cases
Secure Your MVP Launch
VAS automatically scans for the security risks specific to mvp launch. Get actionable results with step-by-step fixes tailored to your stack.
Scans from $5, results in minutes.