What is static application security testing (SAST)? White Box testing analyzes and tests app source codes to remove vulnerabilities and improve security. The process entails scanning your application before compiling the code. SAST employs a Static Code Analysis tool that checks for application weaknesses and loopholes. It examines the source code for coding and design errors that may give access to malicious code injectors.
What’s the Difference between SAST and DAST?
Many people may find it difficult to distinguish between SAST and DAST. They are both testing approaches but work differently in finding vulnerabilities across different phases of the application development lifecycle. Each comes with its perks. For instance, SAST is performed during the early stages and typically includes all files containing the application source code. On the other hand, Dynamic Application Security Testing is ongoing and completed as you run the application in a virtualized test environment like production.
Therefore, it is more effective to use both application security testing approaches.
What are the Advantages of SAST?
- It scans your entire source code to highlight security vulnerabilities.
- It includes all the languages used by developers.
- Provides analysis reports in real-time.
What are the Disadvantages of SAST?
- It cannot identify vulnerabilities in dynamic software environments.
- It has a higher chance of reporting false positives.
- Static reports become outdated and lose validity quickly.
Why is Static Application Security Testing Important?
You can perform Static Application Security Testing services without executing your code. It happens early in the application development life cycle and does not require a working application.
Developers can identify vulnerabilities, enabling you to fix challenges without affecting app structure or passing on negative influences to the application’s final release. SAST services prevent you from slacking on securing your app by providing real-time feedback and reports as your application gets coded.
It allows you to fix problems before passing your code to the next development stage. You can better navigate the code. It’s crucial to run Static Application Security Testing services on the application regularly, such as every time you check in code or during releases.
Application Security Consulting with Riva lime: SAST Best Practices
The Application security consulting professionals at Riva lime have outlined six steps to practical Static Application Security Testing, regardless of the platform, language, and frameworks used to build your application.
- Selecting The Right Tool: You should choose an analysis tool that performs application code reviews for all your standard programming languages. It should also comprehend your software’s underlying framework used by your software.
- Outline the Security Scanning Infrastructure and Deploy: You should deal with all the licensing requirements, manage system authorization and access control, and establish necessary resources.
- Align the SAST Tool with Your Business: You should customize the tool to suit your business application needs. For instance, you can configure it to eliminate false positives or improve how it finds security vulnerabilities.
- Prioritize and Onboard Apps: Onboard your application upon ensuring the tool is ready. Begin with prioritizing and scanning high-risk applications. Sync your application security tests with release cycles.
- Analyze Scan Results: You should review and remove false positives from the test results. Then you can track and deliver the app for deployment.
- Team Governance and Training: Application security consulting service providers help you implement proper governance and training to ensure that your team understands and employs best practices. Check for more technology-oriented articles on our website.