Why Should You Include Application Security Testing in Your Software Development Lifecycle?

Why Should You Include Application Security Testing in Your Software Development Lifecycle?

The lifecycle of an application starts way before development and coding. It begins with the scoping and initial requirements. To make a software application secure, it is necessary to integrate security testing into the development lifecycle throughout.

There are different aspects of application security testing. It has multidimensional benefits in providing you with a secure software product for your business. Going further in this blog, we will discuss why you need security testing for your applications.

Why You Should Integrate Security Testing in Your SDLC?

Security testing is a critical component of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). It helps ensure the security and integrity of software applications. The following are several detailed points explaining the importance of thorough testing in SDLC:

1.  Identify vulnerabilities early:

During the development process, security testing enables developers to find vulnerabilities and security problems in the code and configuration of the program. The earlier these problems are identified, the easier and less expensive it will be to remediate them. You see its positive effects during the SDLC or after the application has been launched.

2. Mitigate security risks:

Organizations can proactively detect and counter potential security risks and threats with rigorous security testing. Otherwise, these risks could result in data breaches, unauthorized access, or system compromise later. This makes the application and its supporting architecture more secure and resistant to intrusions.

3. Protect sensitive data:

Applications frequently deal with delicate information, like personally identifiable information (PII), financial data, or trade secrets. Application security testing assists in locating flaws that could make this sensitive data vulnerable to breaches or unauthorized access. Organizations can better safeguard the private data of their users and clients by addressing these risks.

4. Compliance requirements:

There are various regulatory requirements for modern businesses to fulfill. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) for the payment card industry and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the healthcare business both have unique compliance requirements. Security testing can prevent potential legal and financial repercussions for not being in line with these regulations. The process assists businesses to make sure their apps adhere to these rules and standards.

5. Preserve brand reputation:

A security breach or vulnerability exploitation can severely damage the reputation of an organization’s brand. Organizations may show their dedication to security and safeguard their reputation by lowering the risk of security incidents. They can do it effectively by including thorough security testing in the SDLC.

6. Cost-effective approach:

Emphasizing security right from the beginning of the SDLC is a cost-effective and secure application development approach. In the early stages of SDLC, security vulnerability detection and remediation are typically more cost-effective. Plus, it is more efficient than post-deployment of security incident management. Application security testing aids in resolving vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. As a result, organizations can manage resource conservation by averting potential financial losses, and legal troubles. Furthermore, there is no requirement for emergency patching after this.

7. Improved software quality:

In addition to concentrating on security flaws, security testing also looks for other problems. And it can counter all the issues that may affect the overall caliber of the product. Businesses may improve the user experience and provide a higher-quality product by identifying and resolving these difficulties. Moreover, there are other problems such as performance bottlenecks or usability concerns that you can avoid.

8. Best practice in secure development:

Security testing is a crucial component of the SDLC that helps organizations foster a culture of secure development. It promotes a proactive and security-conscious culture among the development team. Encouraging developers to take security into account from the very beginning of application design and coding is a key aspect of the process.

9. Continuous improvement:

Rather than being a one-time event, application security testing should be a continuous activity. Organizations can continuously enhance their security posture, respond to changing threats, and fix new vulnerabilities. Development teams can solve these issues as they arise by integrating security testing into every stage of the SDLC.

Additionally, the availability of application security resources enables businesses to proactively address security issues. Plus, it can also minimize the potential impact of security incidents on their systems, users, and overall business.

Few Final Words

As we know, testing used to be a measure that was deployed after the development is done. It was the older approach that needed a complete overhauling of the application any flaws were found. This used to be a more time-consuming and expensive process.

However, the new approach where security testing is integrated in SDLC, is more effective and efficient. Above in the blog, we have already discussed multiple reasons to include application security testing in your SDLC. Security integration in SDLC is a tricky process. Doing it yourself might leave gaps. You can get professional help from service providers that specialize in this specific domain.