SAST and DAST Security Testing
Cyber attacks have been on the rise for some time now. That’s why it’s important to strengthen application security. Improve source code. Reduce vulnerabilities as much as possible. SAST and DAST testing are some of the best ways to do this.
What is DAST?
SAST stands for Static Application Security Testing. This method consists of analyzing the source code of an application without running it. Hence the term “static”. Here’s how it works.
- The tool analyzes the source code line by line. It examines classes, functions, variables, and all source files. Even source libraries are examined. It looks for sensitive points that hackers could exploit. These could be open doors for SQL injections, for example. There are also flaws in user input management or data leaks. The potential vulnerabilities are many.
- The tool provides a report about the found vulnerabilities. In particular, it indicates their location and severity.
- The tool provides remediation recommendations.
The SAST test is performed prior to deployment. It provides an initial screening for potential vulnerabilities. However, it is not able to detect security problems that may occur during the operation of the application. It focuses only on the source code. As a result, it can sometimes produce erroneous results, such as false positives or false negatives.
What is DAST?
DAST stands for Dynamic Application Security Test. This test is performed on a running application, hence the term “dynamic”. It then identifies vulnerabilities associated with its actual use. Its biggest advantage? It tests all of the application’s interconnected structures simultaneously. It detects problems in servers, databases, caches and proxies. It also identifies configuration errors in all these systems.
It should be noted, however, that DAST does not take source code into account. As a result, it only reports the presence of vulnerabilities. On the other hand, it is not able to indicate their location in the code. This makes the developer’s job more difficult.
Combine SAST and DAST!
SAST and DAST are two complementary tests. SAST helps improve source code. DAST, on the other hand, helps to optimize the security level of the application in its real-world context. It also confirms the results of the SAST analysis. For example, a piece of code may be considered vulnerable during SAST. However, code in another file makes it safe. In other words, there should be no problem when the application runs.
Conclusion: Security First!
At Appwapp we take security very seriously. We take the necessary steps to deliver secure, robust applications. That’s why we run SAST and DAST tests on all the projects you entrust to us. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have on this topic.
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