#security testing approach

In the digitally connected online environment of today, individuals and enterprises leverage software applications (backed by dedicated hardware systems) to communicate and execute sundry activities. Since such software applications contain sensitive personal and business information, they are prone to abuse and misuse. The rising graph of cybercrime is a testament to this menace where criminals siphon off money, data and information from vulnerable customer touchpoints or business enterprises. The unfortunate part of the whole episode is that cyber criminals seem to be one step ahead of the efforts to plug the vulnerabilities. Despite a flurry of incidents related to cybercrime, security testing remains a work in progress in many organizations.

According to statistics, around 70 percent of global businesses had experienced some form of cybersecurity threats in 2018 alone (Source: betanews.com). Also, the menace of ransomware is likely to cost businesses a whopping $11.5 billion in 2019 (Source: Berkley). The major threats from cybercrime are aimed at IoT and cloud-based software architecture and comprise ransomware and phishing to name a few. However, the silver lining to the whole episode is about a growing realization among enterprises of the threats and their own vulnerabilities. As a result, the cyber security market is expected to grow exponentially to reach $170 billion by 2022 (Source: Market Research Engine.)

To cite a few examples as to how the menace of cybercrime has enveloped all and sundry, even pioneering digital entities like Google and Yahoo have come together to build an encrypted email system. The salient feature of this email system is that even the companies themselves cannot decrypt it. As cloud-based attacks have risen by 300 percent (Source: Microsoft,) businesses need to adopt next-gen security solutions for the cloud.

Even though business enterprises and organizations deploy advanced firewalls, SSL encryption or robust policies, often they cannot escape the wrath of cyber criminals. Cyberattacks have the potential to disrupt businesses, undermine customer confidence, and wreak financial damage. And even when the realization of sensitive personal or business information being stolen dawns upon businesses, it is often belated and leaves too little room to take remedial measures. The remedy is to make security testing an integral part of the SDLC wherein inherent vulnerabilities are identified using penetration testing.

Integrating web and application security testing in the SDLC: Strange it may appear, a sizeable number of enterprises are persisting with bypassing the software security testing at the altar of speed, cost savings, and timely delivery. However, the growing incidences of cybercrime shall see more such companies incorporate a robust security testing approach in their SDLC. This way, companies can identify the vulnerabilities lurking between the codes and apply correctives to pre-empt cyber criminals from striking. Conducting periodic penetration testing is arguably the best and effective way to identify vulnerabilities.

How can penetrating testing help?

Penetration testing includes an in-depth assessment of security leading to the identification of security loopholes. These loopholes may be present, both in the applications and infrastructure, as a result of erroneous coding, the presence of weak design elements, improper or non-implementation of security regulations, or an improper configuration management. Remember, a vulnerable application or system can be exploited by cyber criminals to attack the connected architecture to secure higher privileges for themselves. Thereupon, the privileges can be exploited further to gain access to sensitive data or information. The loss of sensitive data or information can sound the death knell for customer confidence and revenue generation.

Strict compliance with security regulations: Even though it sounds cliched, not all companies follow the security regulations or guidelines. These guidelines and regulations are there for a reason, for they help companies put up layers of security at various customer touchpoints. These industry standards going by the names of ISO 27001, Sarbanes-Oxley, PCI DSS, NIST, HIPAA, and the latest GDPR, besides strengthening the IT security architecture of companies, prevent them from being penalized for noncompliance. Complying with these regulations underlines the commitment of companies in providing a robust security architecture to the users.

Automate software application security testing: Today, the presence of myriad touchpoints to access a software application or system can leave the entire security architecture vulnerable to cyberattacks. To plug such vulnerabilities the security testing approach should validate each component, module and touchpoints using test automation. The security test automation process can comprise functional security tests related to password creation and authentication, non-functional tests to check system or application vulnerabilities and tests to validate the application logic. However, testers should choose the right tools or framework to automate the tests, either developed in-house or by provisioning them from the market.

Implement DevSecOps: To address the inherent security vulnerabilities of complex software applications, businesses should embrace DevSecOps. Here, the strengths of DevOps such as Continuous Improvement and Delivery (CI/CD) are merged with security testing and automation. Since DevOps is all about enabling the development teams in deploying and monitoring the application along with the operations team, adding security to the whole architecture can help create a security culture in the organization. DevSecOps would bring all the departments of an organization on an even keel as far as managing IT security and automation testing is concerned.

Conclusion 

The menacing run of cybercrime across the globe has made organizations, their stakeholders and end customers vulnerable. It is only through following a robust and comprehensive automated security testing methodology that organizations can address the prevailing crisis.

In the digitally connected online environment of today, individuals and enterprises leverage software applications (backed by dedicated hardware systems) to communicate and execute sundry activities. Since such software applications contain sensitive personal and business information, they are prone to abuse and misuse. The rising graph of cybercrime is a testament to this menace where criminals siphon off money, data and information from vulnerable customer touchpoints or business enterprises. The unfortunate part of the whole episode is that cyber criminals seem to be one step ahead of the efforts to plug the vulnerabilities. Despite a flurry of incidents related to cybercrime, security testing remains a work in progress in many organizations.

According to statistics, around 70 percent of global businesses had experienced some form of cybersecurity threats in 2018 alone (Source: betanews.com). Also, the menace of ransomware is likely to cost businesses a whopping $11.5 billion in 2019 (Source: Berkley). The major threats from cybercrime are aimed at IoT and cloud-based software architecture and comprise ransomware and phishing to name a few. However, the silver lining to the whole episode is about a growing realization among enterprises of the threats and their own vulnerabilities. As a result, the cyber security market is expected to grow exponentially to reach $170 billion by 2022 (Source: Market Research Engine.)

To cite a few examples as to how the menace of cybercrime has enveloped all and sundry, even pioneering digital entities like Google and Yahoo have come together to build an encrypted email system. The salient feature of this email system is that even the companies themselves cannot decrypt it. As cloud-based attacks have risen by 300 percent (Source: Microsoft,) businesses need to adopt next-gen security solutions for the cloud.

Even though business enterprises and organizations deploy advanced firewalls, SSL encryption or robust policies, often they cannot escape the wrath of cyber criminals. Cyberattacks have the potential to disrupt businesses, undermine customer confidence, and wreak financial damage. And even when the realization of sensitive personal or business information being stolen dawns upon businesses, it is often belated and leaves too little room to take remedial measures. The remedy is to make security testing an integral part of the SDLC wherein inherent vulnerabilities are identified using penetration testing.

Integrating web and application security testing in the SDLC: Strange it may appear, a sizeable number of enterprises are persisting with bypassing the software security testing at the altar of speed, cost savings, and timely delivery. However, the growing incidences of cybercrime shall see more such companies incorporate a robust security testing approach in their SDLC. This way, companies can identify the vulnerabilities lurking between the codes and apply correctives to pre-empt cyber criminals from striking. Conducting periodic penetration testing is arguably the best and effective way to identify vulnerabilities.

How can penetrating testing help?

Penetration testing includes an in-depth assessment of security leading to the identification of security loopholes. These loopholes may be present, both in the applications and infrastructure, as a result of erroneous coding, the presence of weak design elements, improper or non-implementation of security regulations, or an improper configuration management. Remember, a vulnerable application or system can be exploited by cyber criminals to attack the connected architecture to secure higher privileges for themselves. Thereupon, the privileges can be exploited further to gain access to sensitive data or information. The loss of sensitive data or information can sound the death knell for customer confidence and revenue generation.

Strict compliance with security regulations: Even though it sounds cliched, not all companies follow the security regulations or guidelines. These guidelines and regulations are there for a reason, for they help companies put up layers of security at various customer touchpoints. These industry standards going by the names of ISO 27001, Sarbanes-Oxley, PCI DSS, NIST, HIPAA, and the latest GDPR, besides strengthening the IT security architecture of companies, prevent them from being penalized for noncompliance. Complying with these regulations underlines the commitment of companies in providing a robust security architecture to the users.

Automate software application security testing: Today, the presence of myriad touchpoints to access a software application or system can leave the entire security architecture vulnerable to cyberattacks. To plug such vulnerabilities the security testing approach should validate each component, module and touchpoints using test automation. The security test automation process can comprise functional security tests related to password creation and authentication, non-functional tests to check system or application vulnerabilities and tests to validate the application logic. However, testers should choose the right tools or framework to automate the tests, either developed in-house or by provisioning them from the market.

Implement DevSecOps: To address the inherent security vulnerabilities of complex software applications, businesses should embrace DevSecOps. Here, the strengths of DevOps such as Continuous Improvement and Delivery (CI/CD) are merged with security testing and automation. Since DevOps is all about enabling the development teams in deploying and monitoring the application along with the operations team, adding security to the whole architecture can help create a security culture in the organization. DevSecOps would bring all the departments of an organization on an even keel as far as managing IT security and automation testing is concerned.

Conclusion 

The menacing run of cybercrime across the globe has made organizations, their stakeholders and end customers vulnerable. It is only through following a robust and comprehensive automated security testing methodology that organizations can address the prevailing crisis.