Your web application may be predisposed to different threats and may suffer from multiple vulnerabilities. Here is where web application security testing steps. As a web application developer or security administrator, you should never put the security of your digital product on the back burner. If you are still unsure of what web application security testing is, this guide will have got you covered. As a trusted QA automation and testing partner, we have created this explainer to help you find the answers to some common questions.

a. What web app security testing is?

b. Why web application security testing is required?

c. What are the benefits of web application security testing for businesses?

d. What are the different types of web application security testing?

WHAT IS WEB APP SECURITY TESTING?

Prioritizing web application testing and security is integral to the success of your digital product. Web application security testing includes a range of processes that help test the security of a product. To test web application vulnerability online or offline, you will have to begin with identifying and scoping the application – which is followed by executing different tests.

In general, web application security testing is done once the product is developed. After its development, web application vulnerability testing starts. This testing process comprises an array of fabricated attacks to see how well the web app can defend or respond.

Security testing is then followed by preparing a report that lists different vulnerabilities and probable threats the web application faces. Besides, the report even includes key recommendations for mitigating security issues. When a vulnerable web application for testing comes, the process involves these sub-processes:

• Bypassing user authorization processes
• Compromising password quality rules
• Hijacking sessions and cookies
• Performing SQL injection
• Staging brute-force attacks

THE NEED TO TEST WEB APPS FOR VULNERABILITIES

Whether you go with automated security testing web applications or manual security testing web applications, security testing is integral to a business’s overall security strategy. Many businesses move to the cloud, and the move will be incomplete if they do not have a secure web application in place. A web application must be secured to protect enterprise data from getting compromised. Moreover, checking the security of a web application will help you ensure that it complies with different industry regulations.

The fact is that a web application can be an easy target of many malicious attacks if it is not safeguarded. In fact, recent research revealed that up to 32 percent of organizations are concerned about the risks that malware infections present. Because of this reason, most businesses have to test their web applications. Test a web app for vulnerabilities when it is exposed to different public networks or when it can be accessed by people from their private internet connections.

If you do not prioritize web app testing, you will help hackers easily exploit your digital product and gain access to key information or disrupt business operations. Moreover, compromised web applications can be used as an entry point for other enterprise systems, including servers, databases, etc. All in all, carrying out a web application vulnerability assessment is important for a business to protect its sensitive data and comply with international security standards.

WHY SHOULD BUSINESSES PERFORM WEB APPLICATION SECURITY TESTING?

Strengthening Security

When you thoroughly test a web application, you will identify not only existing vulnerabilities but also probable ones across the product. This testing approach will help you take key steps to mitigate risks. Moreover, well-scheduled web app testing should help businesses avoid the costs related to data breaches and several other malicious attacks.

Building A Strong Reputation

If your business focuses on security, then it will win the trust of customers and prospects for sure. So, if you have a single web application or a portfolio of these assets, you will have to test these products. Regular web application security testing will help showcase your commitment to safeguarding customer data and maintaining a strong brand reputation.

Improving Cost Savings

When your business detects potential problems in its web application early, it will avoid spending money doing expensive replacements that come after data breaches or attacks. Not just that, but a well-tested web application can easily help businesses comply with stringent industry regulations. Having this compliance can result in saving money spent on paying non-compliance fines.

Driving Performance

Needless to say, regularly testing your web application can help you understand the reasons why your product is not performing well. Most web applications have inefficient processes that cause costly errors and frustrating delays. However, periodic web application testing can help you prepare a road map for optimizing the product’s performance and user experience.

WEB APP SECURITY TESTING TYPES

Penetration Testing

Web application penetration testing (pen testing) involves a procedure where a cybersecurity specialist finds vulnerabilities in an application and then exploits them. Here are different pen testing types: black box, internal, external, and gray box.

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

This technique is about simulating SQL injection and other XSS attacks by putting malicious data into the software. The goal of this technique is simple – unravel different yet common security vulnerabilities in the application. DAST is more of a gray box or black box security testing method, enabling testers to detect a web app’s potential weaknesses.

Vulnerability Scanning

Web app vulnerability scanning is about using an automated testing mechanism to identify different vulnerabilities hidden in a digital product. Under this process, the tester will analyze different web apps to perform vulnerability assessments for command injections, cross-site scripting, and the like.

Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

This testing format is basically white box testing, enabling developers to discover different security vulnerabilities hiding in a web app’s source code. This form of testing happens in the early stages of an SDLC or software development life cycle. By doing SAST, a QA and testing company will make sure the web application follows different coding standards and guidelines.

Red Teaming

The full-blown penetration testing includes external and internal security experts staging real-time attacks on the web application. These specialists evaluate the application without having any initial knowledge. This evaluation is done on the basis of integrating different security controls present in an organization, making it even more comprehensive.

Security Reviews/Audits

Carrying out regular security reviews or audits is essential. Why? These periodic security audits help a digital business in assessing a web application’s present security status, safety issues, and miscellaneous vulnerabilities. You may have automated tools or manual ones to carry out these audits continually.

FINDING A TRUSTED QUALITY ASSURANCE AND TESTING COMPANY

Performing a full range of QA and testing services yourself is not advisable if that is not your core expertise. Here is where we come in. We are a trusted QA automation and testing organization, offering the whole gamut of web application security testing services. Our testing services also feature white box unit testing, checking database integrity, doing load balancing, optimizing software performance, and strengthening product security. Our QA specialists perform functional and regression testing, performance and load testing, usability and GUI testing, user acceptance testing or UAT, accessibility testing, configuration testing, integration testing, and more. In fact, we have recently concluded a project involving comprehensive product testing that improved the dependability of a SaaS-enabled payment services provider. No matter what your platform is (desktop, mobile, or web), we offer wide testing coverage. Connect with our testing experts and find a QA and testing solution that matches your business requirements and budget.