Security isn't just about the code; it's about the infrastructure and validation. This post exposes the massive costs of securing a custom app; from £4,000 penetration tests to the "admin burden" of role-based access.
You might think you’re saving money by cutting out CRM licence fees, but you’re often just shifting that cost into much higher-risk categories. Let's look at the "hidden" invoice of a vibe-coded app.
1. The Infrastructure Burden If you build it, you must host it. Whether it's AWS or Azure, you are now the administrator. Do you have the skills to configure those servers? To patch them? When you pay for a SaaS, you aren't just buying a tool; you're renting a secure, world-class fortress.
2. The Admin Burden of 'Least Privilege' One of the core principles of IT security is the "Least Privilege Model", giving users the absolute minimum access they need. Established CRMs have spent decades perfecting sharing models and permission sets. Building this from scratch in a custom app is a massive administrative burden that most AI-prompted tools simply ignore.
3. The £4,000 Validation Check: How do you know the code your AI agent wrote is secure? To be compliant in many industries, you need annual professional penetration testing. In the UK, a single round of testing can cost upwards of £4,000. If the testers find vulnerabilities, you have to fix them and pay for a re-test. SaaS vendors absorb these costs across millions of users. If you build in-house, that cost and the risk of failing an audit is yours alone.
Call to Value: Security is a business requirement, not a feature. Let’s ensure your tech stack is a fortress, not a liability waiting to be exploited.