The importance of application security testing

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Did you know that between January and February 2021 the average number of times that apps were attacked was 20,000?

An app is highly beneficial to both users and developers in various ways. With the aid of an application, a regular user may perform various activities while serving as a business facilitator. Mobile applications are also subjected to various forms of attacks, that is why app security measures are crucial and fundamental in all levels.

This article will describe the importance of application security testing, starting with basic information about it, why it is so important and some of its benefits. 

What is Application Security Testing?

The practice of detecting security flaws and vulnerabilities in source code to make applications more resistant to security threats is known as application security testing (AST). It tests the security functions that are related to confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, authorization, and non-repudiation.

AST started out as a manual process but has now become an automated process because of the rising modularity of corporate software, the vast number of open-source components, and many known vulnerabilities and attack routes. Most companies now use an intermix of application security solutions.

Application security is a set of best practices, functionalities, and features added to an organization’s software to prevent and remediate risks from cyber attackers, data breaches, and other sources rather than a single technology. To name just a few examples, a company can employ a variety of application security programs, services, and devices. Unauthorized users can be prevented by using firewalls, antivirus systems, and data encryption. If a company wants to foresee sensitive data sets, it can create custom application security policies for such resources.

Is Application Security Testing Important?

Many of last year’s largest app breaches could have been prevented with app security testing. Slack, Amazon, and Covid passport apps were some of the unlucky targets of cyberattacks.

Every application security strategy must include data security and privacy. All the applications handle and save critical corporate data and consumer information, frequently the primary data breach targets. A data breach causes key clients to lose faith and trust, and it tarnishes a company’s brand in the long run. On the other hand, administering suitable AppSec procedures and data privacy rules helps improve brand value by associating firms with robust data security measures.

Most people are concerned about how systems handle their data. Customers may trust the platform since strict data privacy standards protect them from identity theft and credit card fraud. Because responsible data handling is considered standard ethical behavior, adopting data protection regulations also enforces an effective ethics code. Regulatory agencies may impose fines for failing to secure sensitive consumer data, including the loss of income or operating licences.

Why Do We Need Application Security?

Although data center security is critical in general, few organizations have well-defined application security rules to keep up with and even remain one step ahead of cybercriminals.

According to a study done on application threats, 82% of an App’s vulnerabilities are found in the code and on average each app has 22 vulnerabilities 5 of which are considered of high risk.

According to the Veracode State of Software Security report, at least one security problem was discovered in 83 percent of all programs examined (about 85,000). Veracode also found a total of 10 million issues, showing that most apps have several security problems.

It’s bad enough that these security weaknesses exist, but it’s much worse when firms don’t have the tools in place to prevent security breaches from taking advantage of them. To be effective, an application security solution must be able to both discover and repair vulnerabilities fast before they become a problem.

Other reasons why companies should consider security testing:

  • It can help your team find and patch security problems before releasing your app to the public, helping the team discover the risks before the hacker does.
  • Apps are more vulnerable when they don’t follow the industry’s best practices. That’s why taking a security-centric approach in its development from the start reduces its risks.

Benefits of Application Security Test

Because apps are used to power practically every aspect of a company’s operations, keeping them secure is necessary.

The following are some reasons why companies should invest in application security:

  • Maintains the brand’s image.
  • Protects sensitive information from being leaked.
  • Consumer data is kept safe, and customer trust is incremented.
  • Reduces the danger of both internal and external threats.
  • Improves the confidence of key investors and lenders.

Consistent monitoring and a dynamic testing plan are the only ways to cope with security threats, which are a constant issue.

Most security testing technologies are geared towards Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) or Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), which allow enterprises to incorporate security testing into their DevOps cycle from the beginning. With business Mobile application security testing gaining popularity, attention is moving to create a centralized library with standard solutions for concerns like encryption, authentication, and cross-scripting.

Some of the application testing we at Build 38 recommend include:

  • Penetration testing
  • Vulnerability scanning
  • OWASP adherence

You may also be interested in: Whitepaper: Benefits of In-App Protection

Application security testing should be an ongoing process in all organizations

Every application security strategy must include data security and privacy. The system handles and saves critical corporate data and consumer information, that is why they are frequent targets of primary data breaches.

A data breach causes key clients to lose trust and tarnishes a company’s brand in the long run, making Application Security Testing crucial for all organizations and industries.

To get to know more about our application security solutions, get in touch with Build38 and explore all the options for your mobile application

 

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