Application Security Testing: 5 Benefits, Value, & Tools

By AppsDevPro | Monday, June 26th, 2023

blog-detail-main-image

Quick Summary of the Blog:
Whether you are developing a new application or already using any software, application security testing is an integral part of app development. It should be performed before and after the development process to eliminate bugs and security flaws. But where and how to get started is the central question. So here is a complete blog explaining to you the value, benefits, and best application testing tools, and procedures. 

Ready to hire

Start your dream project?

We have a TEAM to get you there.

What are the best application security testings tools and what tools can be used where and when?

These are the few most important questions usually hit to the mind while talking about mobile application security testing practices…

But are why application security testing is essential for your business software? 

Well, its common that many people take application security testing as a financial burden and just to speed up the development process, jump directly on the app implementation?

If you are also one of those who always in a rush to jump on the development and app deployment process without realizing the important of mobile application security testing steps, then you need to first know what exactly it is…

So what is application security testing…

Application security (AppSec) encompasses the processes, practices, and tools employed to detect, resolve, and safeguard against vulnerabilities in applications, spanning the entire software development life cycle (SDLC).

It entails a diverse range of methodologies and tools, all aimed at identifying and addressing weaknesses and vulnerabilities proactively, preventing potential exploitation. The ultimate objective is to fortify applications by mitigating risks and ensuring robust protection against security threats.

Well with over 299 billion mobile applications available on multiple app stores, 1-in-4 people quickly abandon the application only after a single use.

Did you know the reason behind this abandonment?

You must be surprised to know that the “App’s Privacy and Security Concerns” are one of the major reasons behind the uninstallation of the app.

So mobile application security testing is important not just to retain your users but also to protect the sensitive information or organization, user data, and to build the trust of users.

Still not getting what exactly AST is and how it is important to your business? It’s time to have a look at the key highlights of the blog for a detailed understanding.

What Is Application Security Testing (AST): Understanding The Concept

Application security testing (AST) is the process of testing and evaluating the security posture of an application. It involves using both automated and manual techniques to identify and analyze potential security risks in a software application. 

By hiring a mobile app developer in India you can easily conduct application security testing. It enables organizations to assess and identify flaws or vulnerabilities in an application’s design, implementation, and architecture. 

The prime goal of AST is to ensure that applications are safe, secure, and compliant with industry standards.

Now the question is whether it’s worth conducting a security test. How AST matters to your business?

No matter in which industry domain you are, application security testing is equally important to your business.

With app security testing, organizations can understand the threats they face, how they can prevent them, and what they should do if an attack takes place. 

It also helps them to develop better defensive strategies, policies, and procedures to protect their applications and data from malicious attacks. AST is an important part of any organization’s overall information security plan and should be performed regularly to ensure that applications remain secure.

But before you get straight into the process of conducting app testing, let’s understand why it is important.

Why Testing Your Application’s Security is Important?

Today, most businesses have become software businesses, whether they are directly selling services to customers or using mobile applications to manage their operations. This will ultimately, puting the entire business data on security and safety risk. So to minimize the business risks, a robust mobile application security testing strategy needs to be adopted to:

  • Identifies and mitigates vulnerabilities.
  • Protects against data breaches.
  • Ensures compliance with regulations.
  • Enhances overall system security.
  • Safeguards user trust and reputation.

Benefits of Application Security Testing

Benefits of Application Security Testing

Image Source: businessprocessincubator.com

Let’s look at the broader side of application security testing and have a glance over the detailed benefits of AST.

  • Improved Software Reliability: AST helps to ensure that applications are running securely, preventing malicious actors from accessing or compromising sensitive data.
  • Reduced Risks Of Data Loss: Testing for security vulnerabilities can help reduce the risk of data breaches and other malicious activities. By finding and fixing issues early in the development process, organizations can avoid expensive and embarrassing security incidents.
  • Improved Compliance and Increase Privacy: AST can help organizations ensure that their applications comply with industry regulations and standards. This is especially important for industries such as healthcare, where patient privacy is of utmost importance.
  • Build User/Customer Trust: Customers want to trust the applications they use, and AST can help organizations demonstrate that their products are secure and reliable.
  • Increased Agility: By implementing a comprehensive AST strategy, organizations can quickly and easily identify and fix security vulnerabilities in their applications. This enables them to rapidly deploy new features and updates while maintaining the highest levels of security.

Knowing the crucial benefits of testing an application, you must be curious to know “how to conduct application security testing” successfully.

Read more to know what is the best software development trends in 2023 where it is important to use these mobile application security testing strategies. 

7 Top Mobile Application Security Testing Strategies And How They Can Be Used? 

Mobile Application security testing (AST) is an important process for maintaining the safety and integrity of any software product. By choosing to hire software developers in India, you can test app security and identify potential threats, vulnerabilities, and malicious activities, and provides preventive measures to ensure that your application runs securely and without incident. AST covers a wide range of tests, all designed to evaluate the security of an application.

Application Security Testing Stats

Image Source: cdn.educba.com

The different types of AST include static code analysis, dynamic code analysis, and interactive code analysis. 

1. Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

SAST is a type of application security testing that evaluates the source code for security issues without actually running the application. This type of testing typically requires developers to integrate their source code into an automated testing platform or manually upload it for evaluation.

2. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

DAST, also known as black-box testing, is a type of application security testing that assesses the security of an application by interacting with it during runtime. Unlike SAST, DAST does not require source code access, and instead focuses on analyzing the behavior of the application while it is being used.

3. Network Vulnerability Assessments (NVA)

An NVA is a type of application security testing that focuses on evaluating the security posture of an application by analyzing its network configuration and any vulnerabilities that may exist within it. NVAs typically utilize automated scanning tools to scan for any known vulnerabilities and can be used to identify any potential threats.

4. Database Vulnerability Assessments (DVA)

A DVA is a type of application security testing that focuses on analyzing and assessing the security of a database. These assessments typically include identifying any existing vulnerabilities, analyzing the structure of the database for weak spots, and determining if there are any unauthorized users or activities occurring on the system.

5. Interactive Code Analysis

Interactive code analysis is a type of AST that is based on a manual inspection by security analysts. This type of AST requires an experienced security analyst to manually inspect the source code looking for any potential security vulnerabilities. Therefore, hiring an Indian app developer can be a good idea here. 

Interactive code analysis is often used for critical applications such as web applications or embedded systems. It can be used both before and after deployment to ensure that there are no potential security issues with the system. 

6. Pen Testing

Penetration testing, also known as pen testing, is a type of application security testing that focuses on evaluating the security posture of an application by attempting to exploit any weaknesses or vulnerabilities within it. During a pen test, testers will use manual and automated methods to find any security flaws that may exist.

7. Security Reviews

A security review is a type of application security testing that focuses on evaluating an application’s security posture from a high-level perspective. These assessments typically include evaluating the organization’s overall security policy, making sure systems are up-to-date with current patching and updates, and checking for any missing processes or gaps in security controls.

No matter what type of AST is used, it is important to understand the value and importance of testing your applications for security vulnerabilities. Different type of ASTs comes with its own strength and weaknesses, therefore you need to evaluate the best suitable type of security testing. So these are the few top ways of application security testing. Doing so can help to protect your applications from malicious activity and ensure that they remain secure.

Read more in this blog guide to develop an iOS Vs Android app and which device is easier to test for security.

Best Application Security Testing Tools

Application security testing (AST) is a critical component of the software development life cycle (SDLC). AST helps ensure that applications are secure from malicious actors, as well as from accidental user errors. In order to properly test the security of an application, developers must use the right tools for the job. 

Here are the few best application security testing tools that you should try to enhance data security and avoid bugs:

1. Veracode

Veracode provides a cloud-based platform that uses static, dynamic, and interactive application security testing (AST) to identify vulnerabilities in web, mobile, and third-party applications. It also offers an automated software composition analysis (SCA) to identify vulnerable open-source components.

2. Burp Suite

Burp Suite is an integrated platform for performing security testing of web applications. It contains a variety of tools for identifying vulnerabilities, such as a web vulnerability scanner, an intruder, a repeater, and a sequencer.

3. Netsparker

Netsparker is a cloud-based vulnerability scanner that scans web applications for security issues and offers a full range of AST tools. It can detect both known and unknown vulnerabilities and identify false positives.

4. Whitehat Sentinel

Whitehat Sentinel is an enterprise-grade application security testing platform that helps organizations identify, prioritize, and remediate vulnerabilities in their web applications. To access this tool, you can hire an android app developer in India. It offers static and dynamic application security testing, as well as mobile app security testing. 

5. Acunetix

Acunetix is an automated web application security testing tool that helps organizations detect and fix web vulnerabilities. It performs both static and dynamic scans to identify issues such as SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), local file inclusion (LFI), remote file inclusion (RFI), and other types of web application flaws.

There are many more application security testing tools available on the market, but they always come up with their own complexities. So how will you choose the best application security testing tools for your organization?

Pro Tips To Choose the Right Application Security Testing Tools

Finding the best application security testing tools is really important to improve the security of the system. But how will you choose the right security testing tools? So here are the pro tips to consider:

1. Understand Your Application’s Specific Needs And Risks –

Before you choose any security testing tool, it is important to understand the specific needs and risks of your application. Identifying these elements can help you make an informed decision about which tools to select for your testing process.

2. Do Research On The Available Options –

Make sure to research different tools that are available and how they compare with one another. Read reviews from other users who have tried the tool, as well as look at ratings from industry experts to find the best solution for your project.

3. Consider the Cost –

As with any software purchase, consider the cost of the tools you’re evaluating. You don’t want to pay too much for a tool that won’t meet your needs, so look for the most cost-effective solution.

4. Find Out What Support is Available

Application security testing is an ongoing process, and it’s important to know if the vendor of the tool you’re considering offers support and updates. This is especially important if you’re using the tool in a mission-critical environment.

5. Test the Tool Before Buying It

If possible, ask the vendor for a trial version of the tool so you can test it and get an idea of how well it works. This will help ensure that you’re making the right decision before spending any money.

By following these tips, you can be sure to select the right application security testing tool for your project. With a solid understanding of your application’s needs and risks, as well as the features and support offered by different vendors, you can make an informed choice and ensure that your project is secure.

Conclusion: How Does AppsDevPro Can Help You Test Your Application’s Security?

Application Security Testing (AST) is essential for safeguarding your software and keeping your data safe. By knowing the value, types, and tools available, you can make an informed decision on how to properly secure your applications. All you need is to hire mobile app developers in India to handle the task. And at AppsDevPro, we understand the importance of application security testing and provide a comprehensive suite of tools and services to ensure that your applications are secure.

By investing in our security services, you can rest assured that your applications are safe and secure against any threats or vulnerabilities. Our services will provide you with the peace of mind that your data and systems are secure, so you can focus on developing the best product possible. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your application security testing needs.

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost To Perform Application Security Testing?

The cost of application security testing depends on the type and scope of the test you are looking to perform. Generally speaking, the more complex the application and the greater the scope of the test, the higher the cost. Depending on the size of your organization and the number of applications that need to be tested, prices can range from $10,000 to $12,000+. 

How To Perform Application Security Testing?

Application security testing (AST) is the process of assessing the security of an application by examining its code and infrastructure for vulnerabilities and risks. AST involves a variety of techniques, from manual analysis to automated scanning, which can help identify potential security weaknesses before they can be exploited. To ensure comprehensive coverage, many organizations will use a combination of both manual and automated testing methods.

Manual tests involve a review of the application source code by a qualified security analyst, with the aim of identifying any potential weak points that could lead to a security breach. This approach helps to uncover more nuanced security issues that may be difficult to detect with automated scanning tools.

Automated testing tools, on the other hand, run scans across the code or entire system in order to detect common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and buffer overflows.

No matter what combination of techniques you use, it is important to keep your application security testing up to date as new threats emerge. You should also consider investing in a security incident response plan to handle any potential issues that may arise. With regular AST in place, your organization can be better prepared to protect itself from malicious actors.

You can also check our other services:

Hire Mobile App Developers in IndiaHire Xamarin App Developer in IndiaHire iPhone App Developers in IndiaHire Android App Developers in IndiaHire Flutter App Developer in IndiaHire React Native Developers in IndiaHire Kotlin Developer in IndiaHire Web Developer in IndiaHire PHP Developer in IndiaHire Laravel Developer in IndiaHire Nodejs Developer in IndiaHire Microsoft DeveloperHire ASP.NET Developer in IndiaHire Angular.js Developer in IndiaHire React.js DeveloperHire E-commerce Developer in IndiaHire Magento Developer in IndiaHire WordPress DeveloperHire MERN Stack DevelopersHire MEAN Stack DevelopersHire App Developers in IndiaHire C# DevelopersHire CMS DevelopersHire Open Source DevelopersHire Vue.js Developers in IndiaHire Knockout.js DevelopersHire AI Developers in IndiaHire Java Developers in IndiaHire Python Developers in IndiaHire Javascript Developer in India

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

11 + eighteen =

GET IN TOUCH are you ready for a better,more productive business?

We craft beautiful and unique digital experiences.with more than 18 years of knowledge and expertise,we design and code clean websites and apps!

Ready to hire

Start your dream project?

We have a TEAM to get you there.
405, Balleshwar Square, Opp. ISKCON Temple, S. G. Highway, Ahmedabad-380015, Gujarat.
[email protected]