Web application security testing is an important step in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) that ensures web applications are not vulnerable to cyber attacks and data breaches.
Web application security testing is crucial for businesses that store customer data online, such as finance and e-commerce. Without it, cyber attacks can damage your business’s reputation and image.
Identifying vulnerabilities
There are many ways to identify vulnerabilities in a web application. For example, Static Application Security Testing (SAST) solutions scan source code for vulnerabilities and security risks.
Another way is to perform penetration testing. These tests are performed by human security experts who analyze an application and discover security flaws.
These tests include identifying vulnerabilities in the server-side logic, assessing input validation and error handling, and analyzing authentication and session management. In addition, they test for the presence of critical vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
Creating a test plan
Test plans are an important part of web application security testing. They provide a high-level overview of the entire test process and align teams to deliver a better product.
A test plan should be written early in the project's lifecycle. This way, it can be reviewed and updated as details firm up or changes occur.
It consists of details about the test environment, tools and equipment that will be used, the person assigned for testing, training needs if required and pass/fail criteria.
Moreover, it also outlines the schedule for the testing and the exit parameters when it is time to stop.
It is important to create a test plan based on your organization's needs and objectives. Generally, it is a management or leadership responsibility to write the test plan.
Creating a traceability matrix
Creating a traceability matrix is an essential part of web application security testing. It helps the team track any changes in requirements and the impact on test cases, training materials, software code and workflows.
It also helps the team determine which risks are involved in a project and how they affect the product. It is a great way to ensure that all of the team’s work is done correctly and efficiently.
A traceability matrix can be created using a spreadsheet. You will need to collect information on all of your artifacts and assign each one a column.
Usually, you will have two columns for requirements and test cases. In addition, you will need to add a column for test results and issues. By creating a traceability matrix, you can easily find all of the information that you need to keep your team accountable for their work. It is a simple way to ensure that all of your requirements and test cases are properly documented and tracked throughout the process.
Performing the test
Web application security testing is a crucial part of any software development life cycle. It enables businesses to prevent malware, data breaches and other cyberattacks.
The security of a web application is largely dependent on how it was designed and implemented. To use an analogy, securing a bank vault requires that it be built correctly in the first place - then tested over time to ensure that any weaknesses are corrected.
This is especially true for web applications. They often contain a lot of sensitive data, such as credit card information or health records, and need to be secure at all times.
In addition to identifying vulnerabilities, testers should also investigate how well the data is secured during its transfer. Typically, this involves verifying that billing information, 'passwords' related to user accounts or other business-critical data is encrypted in the database before being sent over the internet.