Which phase of the software development life cycle includes determining the business and security requirements for the application?

The correct answer is the phase where determining the business and security requirements for the application takes place, which is fundamental to creating a solid foundation for the development process. In this phase, stakeholders gather extensive information about what the application needs to accomplish, including functional requirements, user expectations, and, critically, security requirements to protect sensitive data and mitigate risks.

Identifying security requirements early is essential as it informs the design and development stages, ensuring that security is integrated into the application rather than being an afterthought. This proactive approach helps in addressing vulnerabilities from the outset, making it easier to build a secure application aligned with the identified business objectives.

The other phases, such as designing, developing, and testing, contribute to the overall creation and validation of the software, but they do not focus on outlining the initial requirements, particularly in terms of security and business needs.