MVP Security Checklist: 12-Item Guide for Minimum Viable Security

TL;DR

MVPs need enough security to protect user data without delaying launch. Focus on the essentials: no exposed API keys, database access controls, HTTPS, and basic auth. 4 critical items must be fixed before any users, 4 important items should be done soon, and 4 recommended items can wait. Skip enterprise compliance for now, but never skip protecting your users' data.

Quick Checklist (5 Critical Items)

No hardcoded API keys in codeSearch for sk_, pk_, api_key, secret in your codebase

Database access control enabledRLS for Supabase, Security Rules for Firebase

HTTPS enabledAll traffic encrypted, no mixed content warnings

Authentication on protected featuresUsers can only access their own data and features

User data isolation testedLog in as User A and verify you cannot see User B's data

Must Have Before Any Users 4

No hardcoded API keys in codeSearch for sk_, pk_, api_key, secret. All secrets must be in environment variables. How to secure API keys

Database access control enabledRLS for Supabase, Security Rules for Firebase, or equivalent for your database. How to set up database security

HTTPS enabledAll traffic encrypted. Most hosting providers handle this automatically. How to set up HTTPS

Authentication on protected featuresUsers can only access their own data and features. How to implement auth checks

Should Have 4

.gitignore includes sensitive filesVerify .env, credentials, and keys are not in your repository. How to secure .env files

User data isolation testedLog in as User A and verify you cannot see User B's data. How to test data isolation

Basic input validationTest XSS: enter <script>alert(1)</script> in text fields. How to prevent XSS

Password hashing (if using custom auth)Use bcrypt or argon2. Never store plain text passwords. How to hash passwords

Nice to Have for MVP 4

Security headers configuredX-Frame-Options, CSP, HSTS. Important but can add post-launch. How to configure security headers

Rate limiting on auth endpointsPrevents brute force. Add if you see abuse. How to implement rate limiting

Automated security scanningSet up Dependabot or similar for dependency updates. How to set up Dependabot

Error monitoringSentry or similar to catch issues early. How to set up error monitoring

What to Skip for Now

For an MVP, you can defer: SOC 2 compliance, penetration testing, elaborate logging systems, multi-factor authentication, and complex rate limiting. These become important as you scale, but they shouldn't block your launch.

However, never skip: protecting API keys, database access controls, HTTPS, and basic authentication. A security incident with your first users will damage your reputation more than a delayed launch.

When to Add More Security

100+ users: Add rate limiting, security headers, and automated dependency updates.

1000+ users or any payment data: Consider professional security audit, compliance requirements, and dedicated security practices.

How much security does an MVP need?

An MVP needs enough security to protect user data and your reputation. At minimum: no exposed API keys, database access controls, HTTPS, and basic authentication. Skip enterprise features like SOC 2, but never skip user data protection.

Should I delay launch for security?

Only delay if you have critical vulnerabilities like exposed database credentials or missing authentication on sensitive endpoints. Don't delay for nice-to-have security features. Ship with minimum viable security and improve iteratively.

What if I get hacked as an MVP?

Even MVPs can face attacks. If this checklist is complete, you're protected from the most common vulnerabilities. Have an incident response plan: know how to reset credentials, notify users, and restore from backups.

TL;DR

Quick Checklist (5 Critical Items)

Must Have Before Any Users 4

Should Have 4

Nice to Have for MVP 4

What to Skip for Now

When to Add More Security

How much security does an MVP need?

Should I delay launch for security?

What if I get hacked as an MVP?

Related Articles

First Users Security Checklist

Startup Security Checklist

How to Hide API Keys

Launch-Ready Security Scan

MVP Security Checklist: 12-Item Guide for Minimum Viable Security