As businesses continue to move into a more digital-first environment, it becomes increasingly important for IT departments and engineers to secure data and ensure a safe, controlled environment in which to conduct business. In fact, 76% of businesses have at least one security flaw, so chances are this could be happening to you. These issues have resulted in the need for more processes and ongoing testing.
What is Application Security Testing (AST)?
Application Security Testing (AST) is a process of identifying, analyzing, and remediating the security vulnerabilities of a web application. It includes testing the application for known vulnerabilities and examining the code for potential security issues. The process works by testing the application code and its environment to identify security flaws and potential vulnerabilities. Once identified, the issues are then addressed and remediated.
Application security testing can be done manually or with automated tools. Many companies have the resources to do all of this work in-house, some hire agencies, and others rely solely on third-party tools. All of these options have their pros and cons depending on the size and complexity of your business and its website applications. It is important to note that no single tool can provide a fully comprehensive report. The best results are done with a combination of using tools and technical experts.
Thorough application security testing begins by having full knowledge of the app’s purpose for the business and the types of data it works with. Specifically, web application security testing services are designed to help organizations protect their web applications from malicious actors. These services typically include:
- Vulnerability assessments
- Threat analysis and modeling
- Penetration testing
- Web application firewalls (WAFs)
- Static code analysis
- And other security measures
In addition, they may provide recommendations for improving the security of an organization’s web applications and help organizations implement best practices.
Find out how Distillery is helping our clients stay protected from security threats.