Software development requires testing. In addition to testing the functionality of software, developers must test it for security vulnerabilities. Many developers use static application security testing (SAST) for this purpose. If your business is looking to develop an app or piece of software, you may want to leverage SAST to identify and eliminate security vulnerabilities. Here are five facts about SAST.
#1) Saves Money
SAST can save your business money. Fixing security vulnerabilities, of course, costs money. Research shows, however, that it costs 10 times less to fix security vulnerabilities when the software is still in development. If your business releases the software — only to later discover that it contains a security vulnerability — your business will have to spend far more money to fix it. Therefore, a SAST tool is a smart investment that can save your business money.
#2) Doesn’t Require a Working Build
You can use a SAST tool without a working build of the software. SAST tools are designed for use in the early stages of software development. Even if you don’t have a working build of the software, you can still use a SAST tool to identify security vulnerabilities. SAST tools will analyze the software’s code while searching for weaknesses that, if not fixed, could lead to a cyber attack.
#3) Used for White-Box Testing
SAST tools are used for white-box testing. In software development, testing tools can be classified as either white box or black box. White-box testing tools like SAST tools are designed to scan and test the software’s code. In comparison, black-box testing tools are designed to scan and test the software’s functionality. Dynamic application security testing (DAST) is used for black-box testing, but SAST is used for white-box testing.
#4) Popularized By Web Apps
While SAST tools have been around for many years, they were popularized by web apps. Web apps, of course, are apps that run on a website. They don’t run locally on a user’s computer. Instead, they run on a website. According to a Verizon security report, 40% of all data breaches involve a web app vulnerability. Fortunately, SAST tools are available to identify security vulnerabilities in web apps.
#5) Offers 100% Coverage
SAST tools can cover 100% of the software. As white-box testing tools, they will scan the software’s entire source code. If the software contains any security vulnerabilities, the SAST tool should catch them. Other testing tools may or may not offer 100% coverage.