Guide: Secure Coding for CompTIA Security+ Exam

Secure coding is an essential aspect of Application Security. It refers to the practice of writing software in a way that guards against the potential risks that come with security vulnerabilities.

Importance: With the rise in cyber security threats, secure coding has become critically important to prevent data breaches, unauthorized access and other malicious attacks. It's a proactive measure to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data in applications.

How it Works: Secure coding involves various strategies, rules and guidelines to prevent security vulnerabilities. These include input validation, use of secure functions, error handling, and secrecy of code and keys.

Exam Tips: To answer questions on secure coding in an exam, phrases to remember are 'Defense in Depth', 'Least Privilege Principle' and 'Input Validation'. Always try to relate your answer to a practical scenario or example. For multiple-choice questions, look out for answers that incorporate secure coding principles. Be prepared to describe the application of these principles in practical coding scenarios.

Make sure to stay updated with the latest threats and corresponding protective measures, as it often forms an important part of the examination. Remember, secure coding is about mindset as well as skills, so training yourself to think about security in everything you do is key. Understanding the logic behind the rules and guidelines can make them much easier to remember for your exam.