April 9, 2025 ⏱️ 8 min
By Marian M. & Mihaela G. (QA – Security Testing Group)
Given the fast-paced digital era that we are currently living in, security testing is protecting software from vulnerabilities and cyberattacks.
In the past few years cyberattacks, security breaches, and data leaks have significantly grown, so security testing has gradually become one of the key pieces in the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
Therefore, in this paper we propose to cover the basics of security testing, including its main goals, its importance, its types, and we also suggest a set of best practices in this regard.
What is Security Testing
In general, security testing refers to identifying, evaluating and also mitigating possible weaknesses of software systems (applications, networks, etc.).
The primary goal of security testing is to ensure that a system is protected against unauthorized access and other security threats. Security testing deals with both functional and non-functional faces of the system, measuring how good that system is when it comes to resisting various attacks and protecting mission critical and sensitive data.
Main purposes of security testing include:
- Spot security weaknesses in the software
- Protect data from leaking outside the systems
- Ensure concordance with standards and regulations in software industry
- Enhance application security in general and consolidate users’ trust.
Why is Security Testing so important?
-
- Data Protection: Nowadays any organization deals with significant volumes of data (some of them very sensitive), so security testing is a must, since it prevents potential data leaks or losses.
- Compliance: A lot of verticals and industries (ex: finance, healthcare) are regulated by specific laws and norms (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.) which make security measures mandatory.
- Brand Reputation: Company’s reputation can be easily affected by security incidents. In order to ensure and maintain customers’ trust, security testing should be an ongoing activity all the time.
- Cost reduction: if vulnerabilities and weaknesses are identified in the early stages of the development of the life cycle, they can be handled more easily. As in any other cases/domains where it is more cost-effective to prevent than to treat, addressing security issues during development is more cost-effective than treating them post-deployment.
- Risk Management: Risks can be identified and mitigated with the help of security testing before attackers can exploit them.
Primary Types of Security Testing
Depending on the different aspects that can be tested, there can be identified multiple security testing types. The primary types are:
Vulnerability scanning
This type of testing consists in automatically identifying vulnerabilities within an application or network by using specialized tools that scan the system and report potential weaknesses as outdated components, misconfigurations or sensitive data that is exposed.
- Tools: Nessus, OpenVAS, Nexpose, etc.
- Best For: Identifying vulnerabilities within a system or application.
Penetration testing (Pen Testing)
A penetration test, commonly referred to as a pentest, is a sanctioned simulated cyberattack on a computer system designed to assess its security. The test aims to uncover vulnerabilities, such as the possibility of unauthorized access to the system’s features and data, while also highlighting its strengths. This process allows for a comprehensive risk assessment to be made.
Penetration Testing is different than vulnerability scanning because it not only identifies the vulnerabilities, but it also exploits them as a “proof of concept”.
- Tools: Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark.
- Best For: Discovering vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
Risk assessment
Another important concept is represented by risk assessment. It represents a geared towards identifying and prioritizing security risks and is made with. This type of testing helps in understanding which vulnerabilities should be the focus based on the likelihood and potential impact of an attack.
- Tools: CRAMM, COBRA.
- Best For: Prioritizing risks to decide where to allocate security resources.
Security auditing
Security auditing consists of reviewing security policies and procedures and comparing them against the standards and regulations to make sure they comply. This often includes manual reviews of code, configurations, and access control mechanisms.
- Best For: Ensuring compliance with industry standards and verifying policy adherence.
Posture Assessment
Posture assessment is a comprehensive approach that integrates security scanning, ethical hacking, and risk evaluation to assess a system’s overall security preparedness. It is not just a process but also a mindset adopted by security teams, ensuring a proactive perspective on identifying and mitigating potential threats.
Vulnerabilities and Security Risks
First, a vulnerability exposes your organization to threats. A threat is a malicious or negative event that takes advantage of a vulnerability. Ultimately, risk refers to the potential loss and damage that may occur when a threat materializes.
The most common ones are:
- SQL injection
SQL injection attacks consist in injecting malicious code into input fields by attackers who manipulate SQL queries. This can give unauthorized access to data bases, data theft and manipulation.
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
XSS attacks occur when attackers inject malicious scripts into a web page. This can lead to unauthorized actions, such as stealing session cookies or redirecting users to malicious sites.
- Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is an attack that manipulates an authenticated end user into performing unwanted actions on a web application.
Through social engineering techniques, such as sending a link via email or chat, an attacker can deceive users into executing actions on their behalf. If the victim is a regular user, a successful CSRF attack can lead to actions like transferring funds or changing their email address. However, if the victim is an administrator, a CSRF attack could jeopardize the entire web application.
- Broken Authentication and Session Management
Broken authentication and session management vulnerabilities exploit flaws in the authentication and session handling mechanisms of a web application. For example, an attacker might use a brute force attack to guess user passwords or steal session tokens using a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack.
- Insecure Direct Object References
This kind of vulnerability occurs when internal implementation objects are exposed such as files or data base records, without proper validation or authorization checks.
- Security Misconfigurations
A security misconfiguration happens when system or application settings are improperly configured or essential configurations are missing, leaving the system vulnerable to threats and enabling unauthorized access or exploitation.
- Sensitive Data exposure
Sensitive data exposure vulnerabilities arise when applications do not adequately protect data in transit or storage. This includes the lack of encryption for sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers.
Security Testing Tools
Keeping your systems secure? You’ll need the right tools in your toolbox. Different tools work for different situations, and here’s a quick overview to help you understand the options:
Static Application Security Testing (SAST) Tools
SAST tools work behind the scenes while you’re still writing code. Think of them like a proofreading tool, but for security. They flag vulnerabilities before your app is even up and running, which is super helpful early on.
- Examples: SonarQube, Checkmarx, Fortify
Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) Tools
DAST tools, on the other hand, test apps that are already live. They focus on how your app behaves in action, sniffing out vulnerabilities hackers could exploit once it’s out in the world.
- Examples: OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, AppSpider
Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) Tools
IAST combines the best of both worlds—testing your app as it runs but also diving deeper into the code. It’s like having an all-in-one tool for catching issues in real time.
- Examples: Contrast Security, Veracode
Network Security Scanners
For your network, these tools are essential. They check for weak points, outdated settings, or anything else that might give attackers a way in.
- Examples: Nessus, Qualys, OpenVAS
Security Testing Process and Phases
Security testing can feel overwhelming, but breaking it into smaller steps makes it a lot more manageable. Here’s the usual process most teams follow:
Planning
- Set a Goal: What’s your focus? Whether it’s finding compliance gaps or uncovering specific vulnerabilities, knowing your goal upfront keeps you on track.
- Define the Scope: Are you testing a specific app, your entire network, or something in between? Scope it out.
Threat Modeling
- Think Like a Hacker: What would an attacker do? Look for places where they could poke around and cause trouble.
- Map It Out: Create a few “what if” scenarios and see how your system holds up.
Vulnerability Scanning
- Use Automated Tools: Start with a quick scan to catch the obvious stuff.
- Double-Check Manually: Tools aren’t perfect, so a manual review helps catch anything they missed.
Penetration Testing
- Play the Attacker: Pretend you’re a hacker trying to get in. It’s a fun way to find weaknesses (and terrifying if you’re successful).
- Document the Results: Keep a record of what you found and how you found it.
Risk Analysis
Prioritize the Risks: Some issues are minor; others could be catastrophic. Focus on the high-impact stuff first.
Reporting
- Write It Down: Explain what you found and how to fix it.
- Keep It Simple: Use language your team and stakeholders can understand—no jargon overload.
Remediation and Retesting
- Fix the Problems: Patch vulnerabilities, tweak settings, or update configurations.
- Test Again: Retest to make sure the fixes actually worked.
Security Testing Best Practices
Here are a few quick tips to make your security testing efforts more effective:
- Start Early: Don’t leave security testing for the end—it’s much harder (and more expensive) to fix issues after your app is live.
- Combine Automated and Manual Testing: Automated tools are great for speed, but manual testing is where you’ll catch trickier issues, like business logic flaws.
- Keep Your Tools Updated: Cybersecurity threats evolve quickly. If your tools aren’t up-to-date, they might miss something important.
- Train Your Team: A well-trained team is your best defense. Teach developers about secure coding practices so they can prevent issues before they happen.
- Use Layers of Defense: Don’t rely on just one security measure. Combine firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection for a stronger defense.
- Focus on What Matters: You can’t fix everything at once. Focus on vulnerabilities that pose the biggest risk.
- Document Everything: Clear documentation makes it easier to track progress and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Common Security Testing Challenges
Let’s be real—security testing isn’t easy. Here are some common hurdles:
- Not Enough Experts: Finding skilled professionals is tough, and demand is sky-high.
- Complicated Systems: Modern apps are packed with features—APIs, microservices, cloud integrations—all of which need to be tested.
- Changing Threats: Hackers are always coming up with new tricks, so your testing process needs to stay flexible.
- Balancing Security and Usability: Nobody likes a clunky app, but security measures can sometimes get in the way of smooth user experiences.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, security testing is about staying ahead of the curve. It’s not a “one and done” kind of thing, it’s an ongoing process that evolves with your systems and the threats they face.
By taking a proactive approach, using the right tools, and focusing on best practices, you can keep your systems secure and build trust with your users.