Things to know about Security Testing Services for Software, Mobile and web Applications

 The boom of technological advancements has also resulted in data often being compromised, resulting in security becoming an important element for consideration for all mobile and web applications. This has made it necessary for security testing to be done for every software application to identify potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses.

 

Some of the vulnerabilities you would want to address using software security testing are:

 

●       Ineffective Session Termination

●       Buffer Overflow

●       Excessive Permissions and Privileges

●       Poor authentication and authorization

●       SQL Injection

●       Malware

●       Weak server-side controls,

●       Cross-Site Scripting

●       Weak or broken encryption

●       Bad Data Storage Practice

●       Broken cryptography

●        Insufficient transport layer protection

 

 So, what is software security testing?

 

Security testing is a type of software testing that analyses if your software, mobile or web application, has any weakness or is vulnerable to any potential security threats. The testing is done to ensure that end-user data is saved securely within the software and is protected from cybercriminals. It is also a way of ensuring that the user’s confidential data stays confidential.

 

There are seven attributes that companies providing security testing services follow for your software:

 

• Authorization

• Authentication

• Confidentiality

• Integrity

• Availability

• Resilience

• Non-repudiation

 

Categories of Security Testing

 

To understand which application security testing would be apt for your software, you will need to know about the various categories of security testing services. Given below are the four categories of security testing:

 

Static Application Security Testing (SAST):

 

Also known as white box testing, Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is an integral part of the Secure Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and identifies the security loopholes in the application source code at the development phase. Application security testing companies use different tools to scan the software before compilation to help the developers identify and fix bugs immediately.

 

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST):

 

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is used to identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities during the pre-production stage. A security testing company will use either of the two methods of DAST based on the need of the application:

 

●       Grey box testing

●       Black box testing

 

  

 Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST):

 

Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) is DAST with an added layer of Runtime Application Security Protection (RASP). This software security testing works within the application to analyse codes and discover security vulnerabilities. Companies providing IAST  security testing services use automated as well as human testing and interact with the application functionality and help developers fix vulnerabilities in real time.

 

Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST):

 

Finally, there is Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST), which is done to protect users from cyber-attacks by securing mobile-based applications from security breaches. The MAST includes authentication, authorisation, data security vulnerabilities due to hacking as well as session management.

 

Type of  software security testing services

 

●       Penetration testing: Can be either Black Box Testing or White Box Testing. This type of testing is done by analysing the network and/or the system to protect unauthorised access to important data. Various malicious techniques are used for evaluation.

●       Password cracking: In this software security testing,  the system is tested to identify weak passwords to ensure that users are using strong passwords.

●       Vulnerability: This security testing is done with the purpose of identifying the weakest attributes in the system which can provide access to malicious software by unauthorized users. System vulnerability can occur due to reasons such as:

○        Presence of malicious code

○        Bug in software

            Fixes and Patches are used by developers to fix the vulnerabilities identified.

●       URL Manipulation: URL Manipulation is one of the well-known ways of hacking a website and this testing ensures that database records and other vital information are not accessed by unauthorised users.

●       SQL Injection: SQL Injection testing is used to ensure security while the use of the input fields like text boxes, comments, etc. Special characters are either skipped or managed from the input.

●       Cross-Site Scripting (CSS): This testing checks for the vulnerability that arises in a web application by including Javascript code and HTML into the website pages.

 

Conclusion

 

Companies providing security testing services can help in keeping the application as well as its user data safe and confidential. Identify the type of testing that you need and engage an efficient software security testing partner to help secure your application.