Identifying Weakness Security in the Software Development Lifecycle

Security is always a concern in the tech industry, and to improve the quality of the code, it is necessary to identify weaknesses in security early on in the development phase. Implementing robust security measures during each phase of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) is also important.

Getting To Know SAST Better

SAST has its origin in the 1960s with the birth of software. However, it was not until the 1990s and 2000s that the first SAST tools were made and implemented into the security process of software development. Since then SAST tools has been improved and made more efficient, providing faster scans and less false positives.

Being a white-box testing method, Static Application Security Testing (SAST) can quickly analyze millions of lines of code, so that you can more effectively secure the program before moving on to the next phase of the SDLC. SAST doesn’t need to execute the program and can therefore deliver real-time feedback when programming. 

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is an effective tool that can spot vulnerabilities in code and can assist in software quality assurance. To effectively reduce the risk of security breaches, SAST Scan for source code scanning must be integrated early on and throughout the development. 

Benefits of Early Vulnerability Detection

Early detection of vulnerability in software is necessary to make sure that security risks do not take root in later stages of development. What might seem as minor issues early on in development, can have serious consequences for its users in the final version of the application.

An application with properly implemented security measures leads to high-quality code guaranteeing reliability and secure use which prevents security breaches or leaking of sensitive data.

SAST and SDLC Integration

The SDLC stages are many and are mostly compounded by planning, design, coding, testing, development, and maintenance. SAST can be implemented during each stage to maximize security and minimize vulnerabilities.

Planning Stage

Security requirements and objectives must be already clarified and put into words while the project is being planned. The security strategy has integrated SAST in every one of the steps, including selecting the right SAST tools taking into count the project’s programming language and frameworks. It’s also important to keep the team in charge updated, with training sessions about SAST’s role and tools for an effective workflow.

Design Stage

Here the software’s structure and design guidelines are established. SAST is used at this stage for performing threat modeling, conducting security reviews with this application security tool about the proposed design, analyzing the design artifacts to identify potential security issues.

Coding Stage

This is when the development of the software really starts. This critical stage requires the integration of AppSec as well for continuous detection of vulnerabilities while the code is being written. These steps are automated code scans into the Integrated Development Environment (IDE), implementing pre-commit hooks way before the code is committed to the repository, and scanning for threats through the pipeline with Continous Integration (CI), ensuring vulnerability scans with each build.

Testing Stage

The software now must undergo different and various process tests to be sure that it meets the functionality and performance requirements of the project.

To achieve this, the entire codebase has to experience comprehensive scans to keep identifying remaining vulnerabilities. Combined with Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) and penetration testing, it’s possible to perform a holistic security assessment. Don’t forget about re-testing the code to confirm the effectiveness of the fixes and avoid introducing new potential issues.

Deployment Stage

Finally, in this stage, the software is related to the production environment. By conducting final scans, the deployed code can be tested for critical vulnerabilities. These extra-secure practices minimize the risk of introducing new vulnerabilities, and their monitoring mechanisms are in charge of detecting possible risks around the production environment.  

Maintenance Stage

Appsec must be integrated until the last moment, and this continues during the maintenance stage. Regular scans must be performed in the codebase and to check if updates and changes in the software have introduced any new risk or vulnerability. That’s why applying patches and updates helps to further identify issues and conduct periodic security audits as evaluation supports the overall security of the software. It might help with identifying necessary improvements too.

Final Note

In conclusion, Static Application Security Testing (SAST) must be implemented throughout every stage of the SDLC, so projects can improve their overall security posture and detect possible improvements in their software quality.

When looking for an application security tool that combines security and speed. This will improve the developer’s working experience while implementing these meticulous measures in every step, avoiding the mental load of frustration and getting fast scans.

Cybersecurity is a field that quickly evolves as security threats keep emerging, AppSec through Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is more relevant than ever.