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Laura Bell Main

@ladynerd.bsky.social
959 followers 218 following 55 posts

CEO at SafeStack | coauthor of Agile Application Security and Security for Everyone | Host of Build Amazing Things (securely) | #appsec nerd | mom

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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 23/08/2025
Should security schemes be more prescriptive? "None of the security certifications or regulations are prescriptive; it is up to your company to define the scope, means, and implementation" While this sounds great, does it put too much interpretation in the hands of the auditor?
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How to Build Secure Software without Sacrificing Productivity
Security can clash with development efficiency. Focusing on minimizing breach impact can be more effective than prevention. Dorota Parad argues for flexibility in compliance and collaborating with security teams to define practical protections. Limiting blast radius and using automation can boost security with minimal productivity loss.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
Are you measuring subtle frictions? This quote really made me think "where friction introduced by AI tooling is subtle enough to go unnoticed in the moment but cumulatively slows real-world output" How many other sorts of subtle friction do we experience?
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AI Coding Tools Underperform in Field Study with Experienced Developers
Recent research reveals a surprising 19% increase in task completion time among developers using AI tools like Claude 3.5. Conducted by METR, this study highlights a "perception gap"—while developers felt faster, real-world performance lagged due to frictions with AI integration. These findings stress the need for rigorous evaluation of AI's impact in software development.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
What are your essentials for setting up security monitoring? Keeping an eye on the health and effectiveness of our systems is crucial but security monitoring can make the difference between small incident and catastropic event.
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10 Essential Tips for Setting Up Monitoring for Your SaaS
Learn how to set up effective monitoring for your SaaS with these 10 practical tips. From choosing metrics to incident response strategies.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
Are you ready to rollback? This is a really pragmatic guide to thinking about rollback as well as rollout when planning your systems. Rollback can be an important part of incident response and we shouldn't underestimate how hard it can be.
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Why You Should Design for Feature Rollbacks (Not Just Rollouts)
You’ve just shipped a shiny new feature. Everything seems perfect… until users start flooding your...
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
Would you use an AI bot as your therapist? While this study identifies some challenges from a safety and risk perspective, I think we are still yet to grapple with the PII and privacy implications of this sort of application. Do I think everyone should get the help they need and have someone to ta
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Stanford Study Finds Big Risks in Relying on AI Therapy Chatbots
AI chatbots may seem helpful for mental health support — but a new Stanford study warns they could be...
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Every week, someone comes at me with some hustle culture nonsense about how I must work 24/7 and from anywhere..... sure.... obviously.... 😂
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 20/07/2025
Four months ago, this was a garden potting shed.... Now it's my dream office and recording studio, and the most peaceful space I've ever worked from. As a founder, it's crucial that I have space to focus, but as a carer, I can't be far from home. This is the perfect compromise.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
I’ve joined Sweat with Pride this June to support my rainbow whanau here in nz. 🌈 and on behalf of my very rainbow-t’astique family in the uk 🇬🇧🥰 If you would like to support this great cause you can sponsor me! www.sweatwithpride.com/fundraisers/...
sweatwithpride.com
Laura Bell Main • Sweat with Pride
I’m taking on Sweat with Pride this June to raise money for our Rainbow communities! 💦🌈 Our schools, workplaces, and doctors’ offices are still not safe places for many Rainbow New Zealanders and it’s...
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
🤯 😢 It's 2025, and yet, in the age when AI is making all software and security jobs redundant... We are still collecting payment information like this??? Much work is needed to secure our software experiences for our organizations and end users.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
👀 sneak peak to whats coming very soon from @safestack 👀 Any of you want an easy way to build and mature an OWASP SAMM or NIST SSDF application security program? DM me for early access and special pricing for early adopters. This is going to be epic 😍 #owasp #appsec #infosec #productlaunch #ss
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
Hey #software leaders - I see you, spinning so many things at once. Watch this space in Feb for a @SafeStack announcement that could make your #appsec life a lot easier.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
The four hardest things about being a startup CEO right now ;) #founderlife #startup #buildinpublic
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
My banned phase for 2025: "it depends" Let's make this year of making appsec easy and making small steps forward and stop hiding behind uncertainty and "what if" #appsec #owasp
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 21/10/2024
For the second time this year, I find myself impacted by health issues on a trip. This time, COVID knocked me flat in less than 24 hours and has torn this trip asunder. I am devastated but also grateful to be able to isolate and focus on recovery. I will be returning to NZ as soon as safe to do so
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 21/10/2024
For the second time this year, I find myself impacted by health issues on a trip. This time, COVID knocked me flat in less than 24 hours and has torn this trip asunder. I am devastated but also grateful to be able to isolate and focus on recovery. I will be returning to NZ as soon as safe to do so
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 18/10/2024
The fabulous Denise Jacob’s keynoting NDC Porto Wise words about how to reflect and adapt to what’s happening in the professional world right now
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 16/10/2024
Great turnout for day one here at #ndcporto Come say hi at the SafeStack booth where I’m doing an AMA! Bring all your #appsec questions You can even grab stickers or have us plant a tree on your behalf
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 23/09/2024
It’s normal for the parents in Bluey to make you feel like a bad parent right?
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 19/09/2024
Doing a thought experiment about how little you need to say to teach a CWE to a developer such that they can avoid it 😂💪 Anyone feeling brave?
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 17/09/2024
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #55,038! Wow I had no idea I was so early.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 17/09/2024
🔎 Looking for a 3-minute distraction to help me and SafeStack be more awesome. 🤩 If you are a developer or appsec person, complete my tiny survey! We are working on some cool stuff, but we really need a bit of data to help us plan. form.jotform.com/242598632391869
form.jotform.com
SafeStack Simple AppSec Survey September 2024
Please click the link to complete this form.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 05/09/2024
Great talk by James Cooper here @owasp nz. Coherently and clearly explaining SLSA and how to get started with it in your CI.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 04/09/2024
Getting settled for the opening keynote here @owasp.org New Zealand Come say hi if you see me around. Look for the D&D converse and come grab some SafeStack stickers
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 04/09/2024
Omg I’m in Auckland for OWASP NZ! The locals seem friendly
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 22/02/2024
Finally remembered this account. What did I miss?
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 14/11/2023
Hello friends: do I know anyone in Forest and Bird NZ on the tech side who would like to come on my podcast and talk about their adventure with bird of the century?
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 23/10/2023
Digging out the old nintendos and seeing if they can be resurrected I have some old school games to play
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Reposted by Laura Bell Main
Anthony Lapwood @antzlapwood.bsky.social · 22/10/2023
Buying books online? Buy from BookHub. "They are a small group of booksellers, and they have decided to take on the giant with one mission - to keep the big business of bookselling within New Zealand." #pukapuka 🇳🇿📚 www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
rnz.co.nz
'A way of ensuring our survival': Kiwi booksellers band together to take on Amazon
In bookshops throughout the country, a small band of booksellers has decided to take on Amazon in their very own David v Goliath fight.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 22/10/2023
Timeline cleanse Marie Kondo style. The girls and I are delighted to embark on the ‘play every game we own’ mission now we can find them all again
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 21/10/2023
Whangarei peeps. Hit me up if you’re keen for a weekly D&D game.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 21/10/2023
Omg a new trading card and board game shop has opened in town. Win: I didn’t buy more pretty dice Fail: I may have said yes to GM/DMing a regular D&D game there Related: *goes to search how to be a great GM*
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 14/10/2023
Beautiful Menace Spring is definitely in its prime. It’s a shame that all of these are invasive pests
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 14/10/2023
This account is basically just food and macro photography at the weekend. Sorry not sorry
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 13/10/2023
Why hello sexy!
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 13/10/2023
Wellness day is the best day. Experiments in air fryer dehydration and Star Trek I am winning at today. 💜💜💜😻👑
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 06/10/2023
And just like that my epic @safestack USA adventure draws to a close with a 3 hour workshop here at QCon San Francisco
Great to meet so many folks building amazing software.
Dont be shy, stay in touch
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 30/09/2023
Gorgeous morning in san Francisco
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 30/09/2023
This is fine. Of course I know how to use this 😂
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 30/09/2023
Pondering an ill advised trip to explore pens in san Francisco and also pondering how likely said pen is to explode ink everywhere when flying home to New Zealand Pen life problems 😂😂
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 24/09/2023
Ah that stage of jet lag where you exist between all know timezones in a constant state of hunger and exhaustion #ceolife #startup On my way to Buffalo NY though so I shall heal myself with chicken wings.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 20/09/2023
Never change America, never change
A waffle machine sits on a breakfast counter underneath a sign reading ‘light and wholesome’
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 06/05/2023
In a break from #appsec tonight I am watching the coronation on TV with my elderly MIL. Not entirely sure how to feel but it seems we have to eat quiche, scones and drink a lot of tea. Lady on the tv keeps saying the king will be ‘coronated’ (not a word) Gonna be a long night.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 05/05/2023
Day dreaming about the summer and spending time with the Bees in my garden. This tropical storm stuff can just get in the sea.
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 03/05/2023
Ok, I'm sure there is some reason I can invent to visit this Chocolate 3D printer in the name of cyber security... I mean... for safety or something....
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Laura Bell Main @ladynerd.bsky.social · 03/05/2023
Hello World. Looking forward to connecting to folks on all things #software #startups #appsec
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