Phase 01
DiscoveryPreparation
Identify key stakeholders, align interview schedules, confirm scope, and gather the current documentation needed to begin the assessment.
Services / MAPS Assessment
Merito's Application Program for Security (MAPS)
Merito's Application Program for Security (MAPS) offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing your organization's Application Security Program (ASP) amidst ever-evolving cyber threats. Our MAPS service helps you build stronger, smarter and more secure ASPs with comprehensive 360° assessments, data-driven insights and actionable recommendations. The program is aimed at aligning your ASP with global security standards while fostering a culture of proactive defense.
Framework domains
6 focus areas
Structured approach
5 phases
Primary deliverables
4 outputs
Why Choose Merito
AIAppSecQualityDevSecOpsAnalytics
Merito is a Value-Added Partner for industry-leading tools and frameworks in AI, AppSec, Quality, DevSecOps & Analytics across the software development lifecycle. With MAPS, our experts combine global best practices in security, compliance, and threat mitigation specific to your business and domain. We commit to innovating and delivering impactful solutions that solve real-world problems and create lasting value.
Assessment Overview
A structured assessment for teams that need more than a point-in-time review
The MAPS engagement is designed to evaluate your current security posture, reduce uncertainty across your Application Security Program, and define clear next steps for improvement.
Core objectives
- Evaluate the current state of your Application Security Program (ASP).
- Develop tailored recommendations to strengthen each area of the program.
- Provide a practical roadmap to help teams move from assessment to implementation.
Assessment Timeline
The MAPS Workflow
The engagement is organized as a phased assessment so teams can see where discovery ends, where evaluation begins, and where the roadmap becomes implementation-ready.
- 1
- 2
Phase 02
AnalysisCurrent State Analysis
Conduct interviews and review existing practices to understand how each part of the Application Security Program operates today.
- 3
Phase 03
ScoringCompletion Assessment
Evaluate each practice against the MAPS framework to determine completion level, coverage gaps, and areas of concentrated risk.
- 4
Phase 04
RoadmapProposal Development
Create detailed proposals and recommendations for practices that are not yet at the complete level, with a focus on realistic next steps.
- 5
Phase 05
ExecutionFollow-Up Projects
Optional implementation support to help your team operationalize recommendations, improve adoption, and sustain momentum after the assessment.
MAPS Framework
Six assessment domains shape the program review
Each domain is assessed independently so recommendations can be prioritized with the right level of depth across training, engineering practice, testing, response, and governance.
MAPS Framework
Security Training
Build a shared security baseline and reinforce the role-specific behaviors needed to keep the program effective.
- Basic security awareness training
- Role-specific security training
- Secure coding practices training
- Security tools training
- Incident response training
- Security policy training
MAPS Framework
Threat Modeling
Improve visibility into application assets, data flows, and the threats that matter most to your environment.
- Identify and document assets
- Create and update data flow diagrams
- Identify and prioritize threats
- Document security requirements
- Review and update threat models
- Integrate threat modeling into the SDLC
MAPS Framework
Secure Development
Embed security controls into engineering workflows so security becomes part of how software is built, reviewed, and maintained.
- Use of secure coding standards
- Security review of code
- Use of static code analysis tools
- Use of dynamic analysis tools
- Regular codebase audits
- Integration of security in development
MAPS Framework
Security Testing
Expand testing depth with techniques that help teams uncover exploitable weaknesses before they reach production.
- Regular penetration testing
- Automated security scanning
- Fuzz testing
- Security regression testing
- Security performance testing
- Third-party component testing
MAPS Framework
Incident Response
Strengthen your response capabilities with defined plans, drills, reporting paths, and continuous review loops.
- Incident response plan creation
- Regular incident response drills
- Incident reporting mechanism
- Post-incident review and analysis
- Update incident response plan
- Incident response team training
MAPS Framework
Risk Management
Clarify how risks are identified, prioritized, mitigated, and communicated so decisions remain tied to business impact.
- Risk identification
- Risk assessment
- Risk prioritization
- Risk mitigation strategy development
- Regular risk reviews
- Risk communication and reporting
MAPS Deliverables
Deliverables your team can act on immediately
MAPS is built to leave you with concrete artifacts, not just a set of observations. The engagement produces executive-ready outputs alongside implementation guidance for delivery teams.
Deliverable 01
Assessment Report
A detailed view of your current application security posture, including the maturity of existing practices across the program.
Deliverable 02
Recommendations Report
Tailored recommendations that focus on reducing risk, improving program coverage, and strengthening day-to-day security execution.
Deliverable 03
Implementation Roadmap
A step-by-step plan for addressing incomplete practices and sequencing the next actions needed for measurable improvement.
Deliverable 04
Progress Metrics
Suggested measures and checkpoints to help your team track progress and report on security improvements over time.
Technical Approach
Evidence-based assessment inputs
MAPS combines tooling signals with people, process, and practice reviews so the assessment reflects how security actually works in your environment, not just how it is documented.
Technical Approach
Tools Review
The assessment can incorporate static and dynamic analysis tooling, penetration testing tooling, and security scanning tooling.
Technical Approach
Assessment Techniques
Merito combines stakeholder interviews, code reviews, threat modeling exercises, and risk assessments to build a complete view of program maturity.
Readiness
What the engagement needs from both sides
Strong outcomes depend on stakeholder participation, access to the current state of the program, and clear coordination during the assessment window.
Before We Start
Prerequisites
A smooth assessment depends on the right access, the right documents, and the right stakeholders being available early.
- Access to key stakeholders for interviews
- Availability of current ASP documentation
- Commitment to participate in follow-up projects if needed
Working Model
Client Responsibilities
The strongest outcomes come from active participation and timely access to the teams, systems, and artifacts behind the program.
- Facilitate the scheduling of interviews and meetings
- Provide documentation and access to relevant systems
- Actively participate in the assessment and implementation process
Ready to implement the MAPS framework for your organization?
Merito provides MAPS services across North America, Mexico and India for organizations of all sizes. Our mission is to deliver secure, efficient, and impactful solutions that accelerate growth and drive customer success.
Contact us today!
