A Guide to Building a Comprehensive Security Strategy

In this blog post, we'll explore each of these testing tools, their benefits, and how to integrate them into the DevSecOps process.

Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

Static application security testing (SAST) is a type of security testing that analyses the source code of software systems for vulnerabilities and security issues. SAST tools, such as Veracode and SonarQube, can help organizations to identify security issues early in the development process, so that they can be remediated before the software is deployed.




Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

Dynamic application security testing (DAST) is a type of security testing that tests the behaviour of software systems while they are running. DAST tools, such as OWASP ZAP and Nessus, can help organisations to identify security issues that may not be apparent in the source code, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection attacks.


Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)

Interactive application security testing (IAST) is a type of security testing that combines the benefits of SAST and DAST. IAST tools, such as AppScan and IBM AppScan, can help organisations to identify both source code and runtime vulnerabilities in real-time, so that they can be remediated quickly and effectively.


How to Integrate SAST, DAST, and IAST in DevSecOps

To effectively integrate SAST, DAST, and IAST into the DevSecOps process, organisations need to follow these steps:

Assess your security needs: Start by evaluating your organisation's security needs and determine which security testing tools and techniques will be most effective for your particular environment.

Choose the right tools: Select the SAST, DAST, and IAST tools that are best suited to your organisation's needs, taking into account factors such as ease of use, cost, and scalability.

Automate testing: Automate as much of the security testing process as possible, so that it can be performed quickly and efficiently. This can help to reduce the time it takes to identify and remediate security issues.

Incorporate security testing into the development process: Make security testing a key component of the DevSecOps process, so that security issues are identified and remediated early in the development process.

Regularly review and update: Regularly review and update your security testing processes to ensure that they are up-to-date and that your organisation is effectively identifying and mitigating security risks.


Wrap Up!

Integrating SAST, DAST, and IAST into the DevSecOps process is critical to ensuring the security and stability of software systems. By following these steps and regularly reviewing and updating your security testing processes, organisations can build a comprehensive security strategy that protects against threats and vulnerabilities. In future posts we can explore how to inject these concepts into your build pipeline in greater detail to ensure every build is tested and locked down.