dynamic application security testing

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is a process of application security in which testers examine web applications for vulnerabilities while it’s running. They simulate real attacks on the application to find weaknesses that real hackers could exploit for unauthorized access. This is a “black” box testing method in which the tester has no access or information about the application being tested. Recently, it was exposed that 98% of web applications have vulnerabilities and are prone to cyberattacks. According to SiteLock, websites globally face approx. 94 attacks every day and are visited by bots approximately 2,608 times per week. With cybercriminals looking for minute opportunities to steal your data, it is best to secure your applications regularly. This blog will help you learn more about dynamic application security testing (DAST), its importance, and its role in application security. What is Dynamic Application Security Testing? Dynamic application security testing (DAST) is the procedure of finding vulnerabilities in web applications during its production phase. It involves both automated and manual testing techniques to find weak points that hackers could exploit for their gain. Since it is a black-box testing approach (with no info about the application’s code or infrastructure), the tester behaves like a real hacker to find where the security flaws lie. The testers test for common application and API vulnerabilities that could lead to cyberattacks. The vulnerabilities that are found during the testing are documented, along with their impact level and remediation steps. This document helps organizations fix their security gaps and strengthen the overall security of the application. Why is DAST Important? If you test your application in the “development phase”, it will not protect the app from potential breaches during the “production phase”. Therefore, creating a diverse security program to mitigate overall security risks is essential. By performing DAST, you can detect critical security risks early in the software development life cycle (SDLC), allowing developers to address high-risk vulnerabilities quickly. DAST solves many security challenges and: Benefits of Conducting Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) offers a wide range of benefits when integrated with your organization’s security strategy. Here are some key advantages of conducting DAST: 1. Real-Time Vulnerability Detection Most web applications today have some form of vulnerability like security misconfigurations and outdated software. Dynamic application security testing (DAST) actively checks running web apps, detecting vulnerabilities in real time. 2. Risk Reduction DAST lowers security risks by detecting vulnerabilities early in the SDLC. As a result, it prevents potential breaches and cyberattacks and enhances the overall security posture. 3. Integration with CI/CD Pipelines DAST can seamlessly integrate into the development pipelines, including continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD). Hence, it streamlines security checks throughout the development process. 4. Compliance Implementing DAST in your security measures helps meet regulatory requirements and industry standards (for example GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOC 2). This prevents legal penalties and fines. 5. Scalability Whether your applications are small or large-scale, DAST can adjust to your organization’s changing security needs. This helps keep your apps safe from evolving cyber threats. 6. Low False Positives DAST is known for its low false positives. While other testing methods generate a lot of false results, DAST rarely generates incorrect reports of non-existent vulnerabilities. Do you want to secure your applications from security risks? Contact us now for effective Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) services. We have expert cybersecurity professionals who can test your application for hidden vulnerabilities!   Talk to our Cybersecurity Expert to discuss your specific needs and how we can help your business. Schedule a Call Talk to our Cybersecurity Expert to discuss your specific needs and how we can help your business. Schedule a Call How Does DAST Work? DAST works by actively interacting with a web application while it is running to check for security problems. Here’s how it generally works: 1. Scanning DAST tools scan the target application to identify possible entry points and assess its overall security posture. This includes analyzing different components of the applications such as URLs, APIs, and forms. 2. Attack Simulation In DAST, the testers act like real hackers and simulate real-world attacks on the application to find and exploit vulnerabilities. This includes testing common threats like XSS and CSRF. 3. Vulnerability Detection After simulating real attacks, DAST analyses the response from the application to check if any security weakness has been exposed. If a vulnerability is detected, it will document its nature and the severity of its impact. 4. Reporting After the testing is over, you will get a report of all the vulnerabilities detected, their impact level, and recommendations for remediation. Developers use this report to fix those vulnerabilities and organizations use this report for compliance needs. 5. Continuous Testing DAST can be easily integrated into the software development life cycle (SDLC) to ensure security testing occurs regularly and consistently. Organizations can easily address vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security of their application by testing them throughout development and deployment. Want to see a sample DAST report? Just click the link below and download one right now! Latest Penetration Testing Report Download Now Latest Penetration Testing Report Download Different Types of DAST Many people consider DAST as an automated method, but it’s not. Dynamic application security testing is typically divided into 2 types 1. Manual DAST Manual dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) involves human testers analyzing the application to uncover vulnerabilities. While automated tools are quick, they are no match for the human mind. Human testers, with their experience and knowledge, find vulnerabilities that automated scanners might miss. They explore different areas of the application, such as URLs and APIs, simulating real-world attacks to identify potential weaknesses. 2. Automated DAST Automated dynamic application security testing (DAST) includes testing the application using specialized software for security vulnerabilities while they’re running. The software simulates real-world attacks by sending various requests to the application. It helps identify weaknesses like cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and server-side request forgery. While they are good