Summary
In summary, this article has the purpose to explain to the reader, the importance of security testing in early development stages and the various strategies. The article starts by explaining what application security is, the traditional way of testing application security and the importance of the shift left culture. With this context, it will be explained the various strategies to test the application security along with when these strategies should be implemented. Additionally, it will also be explained the need for application security on emerging technologies, such as cloud and artificial intelligence (AI).
What is application security?
In an era when cyber threats are on the rise there is an increasing number of companies investing in Application Security (AppSec). Application security is the set of processes, practices and tools used to identify and protect applications against vulnerabilities, throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC). These tests increase the security of the application helping companies to ensure the integrity and confidentiality required by certain guidelines. With the prevalence of cyberattacks and data breaches, investing in application security is no longer optional but essential for safeguarding both the company’s reputation and its customers’ trust. By adopting robust and efficient application security measures, organizations can fortify their defences against evolving threats and maintain a resilient posture in the face of cyber challenges.
The traditional way of application security testing and the Shift Left Culture
The traditional approach to application security testing involves carrying out security tests at the end or near the end of the development cycle, after the code has been finalised. This approach brings a series of problems due to the late finding of vulnerabilities. Which means that developers need to spend more hours correcting code that was insecure since the inception of the application, causing not only more time but also more money spent. However, the “Shift Left Culture” proposes a significant change by incorporating security testing from the earliest stages of software development, making the concern for security from the beginning to the end of the SDLC, creating applications that are secure by design. This approach proactively anticipates and addresses vulnerabilities, reducing costs and improving the overall effectiveness of application security.
How to guarantee application security?
There are several approaches to guarantee that an application is secure, in this section we explain several ways of testing the security of an application and when they should start being implemented.
Threat Modelling
Threat modelling, in the context of application security, is a structured process for identifying, understanding, and mitigating potential threats to an application. This approach can be implemented as early as when the plan of the application is being created. It involves analysing the system in detail, identifying assets, entry points and data flows, this allows us to identify possible vulnerabilities and create an application that is secure by design. During the process, various threat scenarios are considered, from common attacks to more sophisticated ones, taking into account potential adversaries and the possible consequences of attacks. The aim is to develop effective defence strategies, such as implementing appropriate security controls, strengthening authentication and authorisation and adopting secure coding practices. By carrying out threat modelling, organisations can take proactive measures to reduce security risks and protect their systems against a variety of potential threats.
SAST
Static Application Security Testing or SAST tools, are targeted from the moment the application code starts to be written. These tools allow a static analysis, which means it scans the source code for any security issues without the necessity of this code being executed, not requiring a working application. This type of tool gives feedback to developers about security issues that would likely only be detected on later stages of development, often being able to be integrated into IDEs to assist developers in real-time. In many cases it also points out the exact location of the insecure code, explaining remediation and even offering code to correct the insecure code.
SCA
Software Composition Analysis or SCA tools, just like SAST tools, are targeted from the moment the application code starts to be written. These tools allow developers to identify every open-source component present in the application and creating a Bill of Materials or BOM. This BOM as the name suggests, creates an inventory of all the components that make up the application, then this inventory is crossed with multiple vulnerability databases, flagging any third-party software that is vulnerable, helping to prevent supply chain attacks. In addition, tracking the licensing and obligations of the open-source components is an arduous and time consuming, SCA tools automate this task by not only providing a BOM but also providing feedback to developers if the code falls within the purview of open-source licenses and obligations.
IAST
DAST
Dynamic Application Security Testing DAST tools, just like DAST tools, are targeted from the moment the application can be executed and has functionality tests. DAST is a security testing approach that focuses on assessing the security of applications at runtime. Unlike other testing techniques, DAST simulates real attacks on the application, by targeting entry points and using fuzzing to automate the security analysis, making it possible to check whether the application is resistant to attacks. DAST, in addition, the service is able to scan applications in production, eliminating the need for a separate test environment and saving time and resources.
Penetration Testing
A penetration testing exercise or pentest is a type of test where there is an attempt to assess the security of an application by simulating real-world attacks. It involves specialised security professionals, known as ethical hackers or penetration testers, who use various techniques to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in the application code and configuration. The aim is to discover potential weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious attackers to compromise the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the application and its data. Pentest exercises follow a predefined methodology and can be performed in different environments such has:
- Black-Box: The team performing the pentest is not given any information about the inner workings of the application.
- Gray-Box: The team performing the pentest is given partial knowledge of the inner workings of the application.
- White-Box: The team performing the pentest is given every information related to the inner workings of the application.
By carrying out pentests, organisations can proactively identify and address security flaws before they are exploited by real attackers, thus improving the overall security posture of their applications, and reducing the risk of costly data breaches.
Emerging Technologies
With new technologies appearing and companies seeking to innovate their applications by integrating them, new obstacles appear in the field application security.
IoT
With the growing presence of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, application security testing faces new challenges. The IoT revolutionises the way we interact with devices, integrating physical objects into the Internet. However, this interconnectivity exposes applications to several potential vulnerabilities. Security testing for IoT applications must address issues such as data privacy, device integrity and protection against cyber-attacks. In addition, the diversity of devices and protocols in the IoT requires adaptable and comprehensive testing approaches. The combination of static and dynamic testing, along with real-time threat analysis, is essential to guarantee the security and reliability of IoT applications in an increasingly connected environment. It is also essential to use standardised code to ensure that these applications follow security best practices. By adopting secure coding standards, developers can significantly reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities, promoting consistency and uniformity in software development and protecting both user data and the integrity of connected devices.
AI
It is known by now that the rise of AI is changing the tech world, and the field of cybersecurity is not an exception. With more companies seeking to complement their applications with AI there is whole new range of vulnerabilities emerging from these applications with AI embedded. One example of AI being integrated in an application is the use of LLM for chatbots, this integration poses threats such as Prompt Injection. Prompt Injection happens when an attacker manipulates an LLM with carefully crafted prompts to perform unintended actions, the consequences of this vulnerability can lead to data leakage, unauthorized access, or other security breaches. The implement of good security practices such as limiting the privileges of LLM’s, input validation and managing trust, are ways to mitigate this threat.
Conclusion
In summary, implementing security testing strategies for application security especially in the early stages of development, will equip organizations to construct secure applications with great efficiency. By adopting a proactive approach that encompasses techniques such as static analysis, dynamic analysis, penetration testing and threat modelling, organisations can effectively identify and remedy vulnerabilities throughout the software development lifecycle. By integrating security testing early in the development process and continuously evaluating applications after implementation, companies can improve their overall security posture and protect critical assets. Adopting these strategies allows organisations to navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape with confidence and resilience, guaranteeing the integrity and availability of their applications in an ever-changing threat environment.
References
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