diff --git a/src/security/builtin_plugins/tests/CMakeLists.txt b/src/security/builtin_plugins/tests/CMakeLists.txt
index b5f0dab..8d94baa 100644
--- a/src/security/builtin_plugins/tests/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/security/builtin_plugins/tests/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -65,6 +65,11 @@ add_cunit_executable(cunit_security_plugins
   ${security_crypto_test_sources}
   ${CYCLONEDDS_OPENSSL_APPLINK})
 
+# applink.c triggers the dreaded This function or variable may be unsafe
+if(NOT "${CYCLONEDDS_OPENSSL_APPLINK}" STREQUAL "")
+  set_source_files_properties("${CYCLONEDDS_OPENSSL_APPLINK}" PROPERTIES COMPILE_FLAGS "-D_CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS")
+endif()
+
 target_include_directories(
   cunit_security_plugins PRIVATE
   "$<BUILD_INTERFACE:${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/../access_control/src/>"
diff --git a/src/security/core/tests/CMakeLists.txt b/src/security/core/tests/CMakeLists.txt
index 6b30b63..ac055ef 100644
--- a/src/security/core/tests/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/security/core/tests/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -84,6 +84,10 @@ if(ENABLE_SSL AND OPENSSL_FOUND)
     "plugin_loading.c"
     "secure_communication.c"
     ${CYCLONEDDS_OPENSSL_APPLINK})
+  # applink.c triggers the dreaded This function or variable may be unsafe
+  if(NOT "${CYCLONEDDS_OPENSSL_APPLINK}" STREQUAL "")
+    set_source_files_properties("${CYCLONEDDS_OPENSSL_APPLINK}" PROPERTIES COMPILE_FLAGS "-D_CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS")
+  endif()
 endif()
 
 add_cunit_executable(cunit_security_core ${security_core_test_sources})