Establishes a consistent, secure, and monitorable foundation for all SAP custom development
Overview
Custom ABAP code is one of the most common—and least controlled—sources of risk in SAP environments. Inconsistent naming, limited documentation, weak authorization enforcement, and ad hoc development practices make it difficult to understand what custom code exists, what it does, and how it impacts risk.
The SAP ABAP Development & Secure Coding Standard provides a clear, enforceable framework for structuring, naming, securing, and governing ABAP development. It defines how custom code must be built to ensure consistency, traceability, and alignment with enterprise cybersecurity expectations.
What This Standard Enables
- Consistent development practices through standardized naming, object classification, and structure
- Secure coding implementation with clear, developer-executable requirements for authorization, validation, and data handling
- Improved visibility into custom code through structured naming and metadata
- Reduced security and operational risk by eliminating high-risk development patterns
- Audit and compliance readiness through built-in documentation and validation requirements
- Integration with monitoring and risk programs through defined metadata and traceability
What’s Included
- A standardized naming framework including module, action, and object type conventions
- Object-level standards for programs, transactions, tables, interfaces, and batch jobs
- Secure coding implementation requirements covering authorization, validation, data handling, integration, and logging
- Prohibited coding patterns and validation requirements prior to transport
- Standardized documentation including the ABAP header (flower box)
- Development metadata requirements to support monitoring, reporting, and auditability
Outcome
A scalable, enforceable ABAP development framework that reduces risk, improves visibility into custom code, and enables organizations to treat ABAP development as a controlled and measurable component of the SAP cybersecurity program.