Startup Security Checklist: 18-Item Guide for Early-Stage Founders

TL;DR

Startup security does not need to slow you down. Focus on secrets management, authentication, and basic access controls. 6 critical items must be done immediately, 8 important items within the first week, and 4 recommended items as you scale. Most security best practices are free and take minutes to implement. Fix the basics now, and you will avoid painful cleanups later.

Quick Checklist (5 Critical Items)

Never commit secrets to GitUse environment variables for all API keys and tokens

Scan your repo historyYou may have committed secrets early without realizing

Use a proven auth solutionClerk, Auth0, Supabase Auth - don't build your own

Enable 2FA for all foundersGitHub, Google Workspace, cloud providers - today

Configure database security rulesFirebase or Supabase rules locked down

Secrets and Credentials 5

Never commit secrets to GitUse environment variables for all API keys, database URLs, and tokens. Add .env to .gitignore. How to secure API keys

Scan your repo historyRun a tool like git-secrets or trufflehog. You may have committed secrets early on without realizing it. How to scan git history for secrets

Use different keys per environmentDevelopment, staging, and production should each have their own API keys and database credentials. How to manage environment keys

Enable GitHub secret scanningFree for public repos, catches accidentally pushed secrets and alerts you immediately. How to enable GitHub secret scanning

Document where secrets liveCreate a simple doc listing what secrets exist and where they are stored. Do not document the values. How to document secrets securely

Authentication and Access 4

Use a proven auth solutionClerk, Auth0, Supabase Auth, or Firebase Auth. Do not build your own auth system from scratch. How to choose an auth provider

Enable 2FA for all foundersGitHub, Google Workspace, Slack, cloud providers. Every founder account needs 2FA enabled today. How to enable 2FA everywhere

Set up role-based accessEven with a small team, distinguish between admin and regular users. Apply least privilege principle. How to implement role-based access

Secure your password reset flowUse time-limited tokens, do not reveal whether an email exists, and send notifications on password changes. How to secure password reset

Data Protection 4

Enable HTTPS everywhereUse SSL certificates for all environments. Platforms like Vercel and Netlify provide free SSL. How to set up HTTPS

Set up database backupsEnable automated daily backups. Test restoring from a backup at least once before launch. How to set up database backups

Configure database security rulesIf using Firebase or Supabase, review and lock down your security rules. Never leave default open access. How to configure database security

Know what data you collectDocument what user data you store. Avoid collecting data you do not need. Less data means less risk. How to create a data inventory

Code and Infrastructure 3

Keep dependencies updatedRun npm audit or equivalent weekly. Set up Dependabot or Renovate for automated security updates. How to set up Dependabot

Validate all user inputNever trust input from users or external APIs. Validate on the server side, not just in the browser. How to validate user input

Set up basic error monitoringUse Sentry, LogRocket, or similar. Know when errors happen before users report them. How to set up error monitoring

Business Continuity 2

Document your recovery processWrite down how to redeploy from scratch. Include where backups are, how to restore, and who has access. How to create a recovery plan

Avoid single points of failureEnsure at least two founders can access all critical systems. Do not let knowledge live in one person's head. How to set up shared access

Security Without Slowing Down

Early-stage startups often skip security because they think it will slow them down. In reality, most security basics take minutes to implement and save hours of cleanup later. A data breach or security incident early on can destroy user trust before you even find product-market fit.

Focus on the fundamentals: secrets management, authentication, and access controls. You can add more sophisticated security measures as you scale, but these basics protect you from the most common attacks.

How much should a startup spend on security?

Most startup security is free. Use environment variables (free), enable 2FA (free), choose secure defaults (free). Only pay for specialized tools when you have specific needs or compliance requirements.

When should startups get a security audit?

Consider a professional audit before your Series A, before handling sensitive data at scale, or when enterprise customers require it. Until then, use automated scanners and follow security best practices.

What is the biggest security risk for early-stage startups?

Exposed secrets in code repositories. This happens constantly. Scan your git history today, enable secret scanning, and use environment variables for all credentials going forward.