What is Application Security Testing? A Guide to Protecting Your Apps

Application security testing is the detailed process of assessing and measuring the security of an application. This involves analyzing the app’s architecture, source code, design, configuration, and communication mechanisms. Additionally, overall security is evaluated to detect weaknesses and vulnerabilities that could lead to security flaws. The security flaws can be discovered at any stage of SDLC process. It entirely depends on how the security testing is integrated and aligned with the development process. Starting from the requirement phase to post-deployment phase security flaws occur. The primary objective of application security testing is to identify and resolve security issues before the application is released for public use. Automated testing platforms, such as TestWheel, are essential for providing real-time feedback, allowing development teams to run varied security tests repeatedly before deployment and confidently release applications to end users without concerns of security breaches.

Why is Application Security Important for a Business?

If an organization handles large volumes of customer data, it must dedicate a lot of time and budget to application security. Whether an application handles proprietary business information, consumer data, or finances, implementing security solutions that continuously monitor and manage vulnerabilities is essential, as data remains one of the most valuable assets targeted by hackers.

Software is inherently prone to vulnerabilities. While some could be minor bugs that do not affect security or performance, others can impose serious threats. Even non-critical vulnerabilities can serve as entry points for attackers. According to recent data, 90% of professionals use three or more tools to protect their software data from attackers.  By implementing robust application security measures, businesses can mitigate the risks associated with both major and minor vulnerabilities.

Application security testing is a proactive approach to safeguarding applications from the outset. It enhances risk mitigation and gives businesses a competitive edge. Customers trust businesses to protect their personal information, and a data breach can lead to identity theft, credit card fraud, and unauthorized access to sensitive accounts. To mitigate these risks, businesses need robust application security tools. With Testwheel’s one-time setup, users can run multiple automated regression tests continuously. This enables efficient bug correction after security updates, ensuring applications meet security standards before release deadlines. Whether the application is for business or commercial use, TestWheel empowers teams to release applications with confidence, ensuring end users feel secure using the final product.

Read our comprehensive guide on Web Application Security Testing: Requirements and Best Practices to ensure your applications stay secure.

Common Types of Application Security Testing

Application security testing is a critical step in safeguarding applications against security threats. It involves identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the source code, ensuring secure design, and enhancing resilience for users. Common types of application security testing include,

1. Software Application Security Testing (SAST)

SAST, also known as software application security testing, is a type of white box testing where security testers perform analysis of the source code in a controlled environment to learn how the software has been developed. The primary focus of SAST is to identify vulnerabilities in the code before the application is deployed.

2. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

DAST, or dynamic application security testing, is a form of black box security testing where testers evaluate an application without prior knowledge of the application architecture. This method checks for vulnerabilities while the application is running, offering real-time insight into how an attacker might exploit security flaws in the system.

3. Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)

IAST combines both SAST and DAST techniques, providing a more comprehensive analysis of application security. It involves both static and dynamic testing of the system to identify vulnerabilities during execution. Typically, developers will conduct SAST, while external penetration testers perform DAST.

4. Analysis of Software Composition

Software composition analysis or SCA focuses on analyzing open-source components. While it is not capable of detecting the vulnerabilities in proprietary code, it is highly effective in identifying the security risks associated with open-source libraries and dependencies by tracing their origins and known vulnerabilities.

5. Database Security Scanning

Although databases are not a direct part of the application, they play a crucial role in application functionality. Database security scanning identifies vulnerabilities in database configurations, permissions, and data handling practices. Incorporating this process into the development lifecycle minimizes data security risks in production.

6. Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST)

MAST is designed for mobile application and combines SAST, DAST and other digital forensic techniques. It security risks that are unique to mobile platforms, including device rooting, jailbreaking, certificate validation, and spoofed Wi-Fi connections. By implementing MAST, organizations can enhance mobile app security while ensuring a safe user experience.

Best Practices for Application Security Testing

Application security testing is an integral part of every phase of the software development lifecycle from its design to deployment. Organizations should perform security scans to identify vulnerabilities as applications evolve. Automating security testing is essential to enable faster detection and remediation. According to a study by the IBM System Science Institute, addressing a defect during the design phase is substantially more cost-effective than fixing it post-deployment. Below are some best practices for effective application security testing,

Adopt a Zero-Trust Mindset

Organizations should treat their cloud architecture, whether public or on premises, as inherently vulnerable. This mindset eliminates complacency and ensures that proactive security measures are in place.

Implement Security at Every Security Level

Application security should be applied to each component of the application. During the development process, it is crucial to incorporate appropriate security measures tailored to the needs of each unique component.

Automate Security Installation and Configuration

Automating the application security installation and configuration process is one of the most crucial yet time-consuming strategies. Even after completing this process, organizations must reevaluate and implement security measures for the next generation of applications.

Regularly Test and Retest Security Measures

Establishing security measures is not just enough, organizations must frequently test and retest them to ensure that they function properly. In the event of a breach, early detection and swift remediation can prevent significant damage.

Leverage SaaS for Security Efficiency

Organizations should take advantage of Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings to offload time consuming security tasks and also refocus the scope to more high value projects. SaaS solutions are cost effective and do not require a dedicated IT team to configure its products.

Check out our latest blog on Web App Security Best Practices to learn how to protect your applications from vulnerabilities.

How To Enable Application Security

Application security is an integral part of software engineering and application management. It helps address minor bugs and prevents serious application vulnerabilities from being exploited. Application security is an ongoing process, not a single technology and is a crucial component in cybersecurity. As applications become more complex, application security testing has become increasingly important and challenging. The best practices for enabling application security are as follows,

Start Early

Organizations should start application security testing as early as possible in the application development lifecycle, ideally during the design and planning phases. This allows security considerations to be built into the application right from the start.

Use Multiple Testing Techniques

A thorough combination of the static and dynamic testing techniques can offer a comprehensive view of the application’s security posture. This approach helps in identifying a wider range of vulnerabilities than relying using a single technique.

Conduct Regular Testing

Application security testing should be performed regularly, especially after code changes and updates. This ensures that newly introduced code is tested for vulnerabilities before deployment.

Prioritize Vulnerabilities

Not all vulnerabilities are created equal. Organizations should prioritize vulnerabilities based on their severity and potential impact, addressing the most critical vulnerabilities first.

Involve All Stakeholders

Application security is a shared responsibility. Testers, developers and operation teams should collaborate in the application security testing (AST) process to ensure that everyone is aware of the risks and takes appropriate actions.

Monitor and Respond to Findings

AST is not a one-time event. Organizations should continuously monitor applications for new vulnerabilities and promptly respond to the security findings. This proactive approach ensures that applications remain secure over time.

TestWheel is a leader in application security testing, providing organizations with an intuitive and flexible testing experience. Our platform has been built purposefully to serve as a one-stop solution for all security testing needs, offering comprehensive vulnerability scans, in-depth assessments, retesting, and audit-ready reports, all made available within a secure portal. Our team of certified, in-house experts is ready to begin security testing immediately, helping you stay ahead of potential breaches before they compromise your application’s security. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, TestWheel is the perfect solution to safeguard your software applications against modern threats. Its advanced AI and ML technology enhances productivity and enables early detection of risks throughout your project. Get started with TestWheel today and elevate your testing process.