Why is Application Security Testing Important?

Records show, that over 50% of data breaches happened through applications. Many of those breaches could have easily been prevented if they had proper security measures. And how to have proper security measures? Application security testing.

There are multiple benefits of application security testing:

1. Identify Security Flaws

Testing your application early in the development process helps identify security flaws before they become significant issues. Early detection allows for quick resolution, minimizing the time and resources required for fixes. This proactive approach saves both time and money in the long run, as addressing security flaws during development is often more cost-effective than fixing them after deployment.

2. Protect Sensitive Data

Securing sensitive data is crucial for maintaining user trust and compliance with regulatory requirements. Application security testing helps identify vulnerabilities that could compromise data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. By implementing robust security measures, organizations can prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and financial losses.

3. Comply with Industry Regulations

Regulations such as PCI DSS, GDPR, ISO 27001, and others mandate specific security measures to protect sensitive data and ensure privacy. Application security testing helps organizations identify and address gaps in compliance. As a result, it helps reduce the risk of regulatory penalties, fines, and legal consequences.

4. Build Trust

Trust is the foundation of any successful business relationship. Users expect applications to be secure and reliable, especially when handling personal information and financial transactions. By prioritizing security and conducting regular testing, organizations can build trust with their users and stakeholders. When you show your commitment to security, it helps you stand out from your competitors and enhances your brand image.

5. Maintain Reputation

A security breach can have severe consequences for an organization’s reputation and brand image. While financial losses from a breach may be temporary, reputational damage can be long-lasting and difficult to repair. Application security testing helps prevent security breaches by identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses before they can be exploited by hackers. By maintaining a strong security posture, organizations can protect their reputation among their customers and stakeholders.

6. Meet Client Demands

Clients want their sensitive data to be adequately protected when using your application. Meeting client demands for security testing demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction and builds trust in your products and services. By following client requests for security testing, organizations can strengthen relationships with them and enhance their competitive position in the market.

7. Ensure Business Continuity

Security incidents such as data breaches can disrupt operations, damage reputation, and result in financial losses. Application security testing helps mitigate potential security risks by identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could impact the availability and reliability of the application. By proactively addressing security threats, organizations can ensure business continuity, protect revenue, and achieve a better return on investment (ROI) for their technology investments.

Different Types of Application Security

In the business world, 3 major types of software applications need proper security to prevent cyberattacks. These are:

• Web Applications
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• Mobile Applications
• Cloud Applications

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1. Web Application Security

Web application security is to implement the best security measures to keep them safe from cyberattacks. Just like any other software, web apps can have weaknesses that cybercriminals might exploit. To avoid design and implementation flaws, web application security involves using safe development practices during the software development life cycle (SDLC).

2. Mobile Application Security

Mobile application security focuses on the security posture of mobile apps on platforms like Android, iOS, and Windows. It covers apps that run both on smartphones and tablets. Since mobile apps are used by almost everyone nowadays and they store highly confidential data, it is important to have robust security measures. Methods like penetration testing can help uncover vulnerabilities that could cause data leaks in mobile apps.

3. Cloud Application Security

Cloud application security is a set of policies and controls that help organizations protect applications and data present in cloud environments. It includes identifying and managing access controls, infrastructure security, logging and monitoring, and configuration analysis. Additionally, it also includes vulnerability mitigation and data protection.

5 Types of Application Security Testing

Security teams have different types of application security testing tools and techniques. These have specific functions and most of them fall into one of the following categories.

1. Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

SAST or source code analysis is a white box testing method that tests source code at rest. Here the testers have all the information about the application’s coding structure. It looks for any weak points that could be exploited by hackers. These tools can be applied to various forms of code, like applications, bytes, and binaries. Once your code is analyzed, it highlights design and coding flaws that can be exploited.

2. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

DAST is a type of black box testing, where the testers have no idea about the structure of the application. It simulates real cyberattacks on the running application to find architectural weaknesses and security vulnerabilities. This process is also known as penetration testing, where cybersecurity professionals or ethical hackers perform the application testing. Additionally, it is by far the best way to find security flaws in software applications.

3. Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)

In IAST, testers scan the already-built source code of your application in a dynamic environment. It is usually executed in the QA environment and in real-time when the application is running. It helps find vulnerabilities in the coding structure and provides immediate remediation steps. You can easily implement the IAST method into your continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD).

4. Software Composition Analysis (SCA)

SCA tools scan your application’s code to show you what open-source software it uses. The testers find all the open-source parts and the license compliance data of the components. Additionally, they identify any common security issues present in the code. Some SCA tools can even help you fix these issues by sorting them out and suggesting remediation methods.

5. Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP)

RASP is a security technology that adds an extra layer of defense to applications. It protects and prevents cyberattacks in real-time. Unlike traditional security tools like firewalls or antivirus software, RASP keeps an eye on the application while it’s running.

Want to secure your software applications from various security risks?

Qualysec Technologies provides the best application security testing through hybrid penetration testing services. So, if you want to keep your application and business running smoothly, click below!