Of lately, there has been a sudden increase in the number of applications being developed in the software market that has given a boost to the software application industry. As the rule says, more the applications being developed, higher the need to protect theses application from cybercrimes. These applications have created new roadways for hackers to attack your websites and systems. Companies have started to invest a huge chunk of their IT budget on application security testing services that can help them protect their systems and safeguard their customers’ and stakeholders’ data.
Let us take a closer look in understanding what ‘Applications Security Testing’ is and then go further in examining what’s the primary difference in the two famous testing methods popularly used by developers, i.e.:
- Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
- Dynamic Application Security Testing? (DAST)
Both these application security testing solutions help detect bugs and vulnerable areas of an application or website at different stages. Both have their own set of benefits and loopholes, and if used together, both of them can help protect your applications from bugs or malicious activities from attackers before they become too active for you to handle.
What is Application Security Testing?
The process of testing, analyzing, and reporting security issues or vulnerabilities during or post the SDLC process is called Application security testing. It is a process adopted by developers and coders to help administer the security strength of web applications using manual or automated testing tools and identify threats that can jeopardize the Web application’s security.
Mostly, application security testing is performed post the application is developed and ready to be released. The process majorly includes attacking the application with a series of fabricated malicious attacks to analyze how the app responds to them and identify the areas to improve.
Some of the fundamental processes within the testing process include:
- Brute force attack testing
- Password quality rules
- Session cookies
- User authorization processes
- SQL injection
What is Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)?
Dynamic application security testing (DAST) tools are used later in the application development process. In this, the application once entirely developed is tested by running it on the DAST tools. It gives runtime environment vulnerabilities and issues in third-party interfaces. As you develop your application further DAST tools continue to scan your codes to identify and fix bugs at an early stage. It gives automated alerts to the concerned Tams with recommended changes for them to analyze them make suitable changes.
What is Static Application Security Testing (SAST)?
Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools are used in the software development process’s initial stage. This testing technique tests the application from inside out, also referred to as the white-box testing technique, on a very early application development stage. It helps detect vulnerable points in advance for developers to fix before an attacker attacks the website.
Companies put in a lot of effort in building engaging applications and websites that store a huge amount of customer data on a daily basis. Securing this platform is necessary to avoid any attacker having access to sensitive information from your account. Implementing robust security testing measures during the development stage helps companies safeguard their applications from vulnerabilities at an early stage and be better prepared. This also helps save costs which would otherwise be spent post the development was over.
SAST helps find issues that the developer may not be able to identify. These tools are scalable and can help automate the testing process with ease. The recommendation given by these tools is easy to implement and can be incorporated instantly.
What is the Basic Difference Between DAST vs SAST?
Conclusion:
As it can be observed from the above differentiation, both SAST and DAST have their own set of benefits and loops holes. While SAST takes the inside-out approach, DAST prefers outside in while detecting bugs in your application. Both these techniques are attempted towards penetrating your applications to identify vulnerable pages.
moreover, it has been observed the need for source code, byte code, and binaries is negligible to run a test using DAST. It’s way more easier and economical compared to SAST tools. Collectively SAST tools can be deployed during the development stages of an application and DAST can be used before an application goes live and when source code is not available to be tested. This will help you protect your applications from hackers and other potential malicious activities at a much early stage and keep you prepared.
Get in touch with professional software testing providers that can help deliver quality testing services and receive better knowledge about the same.
