Security Testing And Best Practices In 2021

Pabitra Kumar Sahoo
November 26, 2021
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As we head towards a tech driven society, we head towards the danger of being hacked. Cyberattacks are becoming a commonly occurring event from the last couple of years. Cybersecurity is no joke! If you have no emphasis on securing yourself and your product, you will face the consequences. The best way to secure your product from hackers and cyberattacks is security testing. Therefore, here we provide a brief on security testing and best practices in 2021.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reliance on the internet has become the only to get work done. Although, with help of mobile applications, software, websites, transaction portals, UPI’s and etc. life has become easy. But everything has a consequence. So, be it mobile application, software or even websites; vulnerabilities are present in al of them. Furthermore, hackers use these vulnerabilities for their unethical and personal benefits. That is exactly why, IT companies need to focus on the security of their products more than ever. And the first step to achieving it is security testing!

So, let us begin!

Security testing is a process intended to reveal the security vulnerabilities of an information system. This system is meant to provide required data and maintain functionality as per developer’s desire. Typical security requirements include confidentiality, integrity, authentication, availability, authorization and non-repudiation. Ideal security tests depends on the security requirements by the system, developer. Therefore, selecting the most suitable security test is critical for products success.

Now, we mention some of the best security testing’s best practices in 2021 and give a brief about them.

1) Expect the unexpected! –

Merely testing your product for ensuring it function as you intended it to or not won’t make the cut. Instead, actively looking for the abnormal functions in your code and product should be your priority. Which results in detection of odd functioning and liabilities present in your application. Therefore, it helps in finding the hidden vulnerabilities which could have been manipulated by hackers in the future.

2) Static Analysis –

Static analysis permits `testers to thoroughly examine each and every aspect of source code when it is at rest. Which means, source code is non-executional during the static tests.

3) Dynamic Analysis –

Dynamic analysis enable the tester to examine the functionality and behavior of the product in active condition. Which means, during the tests the application in operation. Dynamic testing tools can uncover hidden problems that may be too subtle or complicated for static analysis to detect, like memory manipulation or file access, which are not visible in plain view in the application’s API.

4) Encryption Of Data –

Any data the product server exchanges with the website or application is transferred to third-party services or is saved on the device. Encryption of this data is critical. Moreover, the top causes of data thefts are insecure storage and transference of data. Further, encryption disables the intruders to steal and use the data for their own good.

5) Penetration Testing –

Penetration testing constitutes for inspecting weak passwords, unencrypted data, authority of third-party services and etc. over the system. All this can conclude for a lethal attack if not kept in check.

6) Multi-factor Authentication –

Multi-factor authentication surely is one the latest trends for security. This tech, enables to access certain information only if authorized from a single administrator. Multi-factor authentication with a code sent by email or SMS greatly increases the application security level.

7) Inspecting Deployment Environment –

It is critical to check for config errors before deploying. Even a single misconfiguration can lead to devastating failures. For example, if you intend to deploy a software to a server; check the server for vulnerabilities first! This guarantees us the safety of the codes and data of the product.

8) Regular Testing –

Recent times have seen severe uproar in tech space. The uproar however, is on both sides i.e. developing and hacking. To every new tech developed with the intention of security, comes a malicious intent to decoding it. Therefore, it is a never ending cycle. First, developers create codes to secure the data. Then, hackers innovate to decode it.

However, regular updates with new patches for security always helps. Conducting regular security tests on your product and rolling out new regular updates is crucial for this day and age. This no only ensures the safety aspect but also fulfils the customer satisfaction with the product.

Conclusion

“Every action has equal and opposite reaction”, this line has never felt so true before now. With intention to safety will come intention tom harm. Therefore, providing safety at any cost is our agenda.

We are QualySec, India’s best QA and pen-testing company. QualySec believes in providing the pinnacle of security at the most affordable scale.