How to do Security Testing? What are the Best Practices?

 

The following are the steps required to perform security testing:

1. Security requirements need to be clearly identified: The security requirements for the software need to be clearly identified by the team. This in turn makes sure that testing is carried out on the key security issues. In order to identify security requirements, initiate the process by reviewing regulatory standards and relevant security policies that are being applied to the software.

 

2. Security tests should be designed: Based on the security requirements, security tests need to be designed that can identify previous weaknesses and unknown vulnerabilities. Different types of security tests need to be identified to design security tests.

 

3. Executing security tests: When security tests are being executed, the designed plan should be followed by the team to make sure that tests are being performed accurately.

 

4. Results should be scrutinized: The results of web application security testing need to be scrutinized accordingly. The data that has been collected during testing is examined to identify potential security issues that need to be worked out strategically.

 

5. Vulnerabilities need to be fixed accordingly: If any of the vulnerabilities have been identified, steps need to be taken to fix them to make sure that the software product or application is secure. When vulnerabilities are being fixed, they need to be prioritized based on their potential impact and severity on the software’s security.

 

6. Retest the software: Once the vulnerabilities have been fixed, the software needs to be retested to make sure that the fixes are effective. When the software is being retested, the team should make sure that the testing procedures and plan are followed that were established in the previous testing phase.

 

7. Analyzing the results: The security testing results need to be reported to the stakeholders to make sure they are well aware of potential security issues and the tactical steps that have been taken to address them accordingly.

 

Security testing best practices:

1. Security testing needs to be conducted regularly: New attacks can be prevented by carrying out consistent security audits. Tests should be conducted frequently, so that exploitable loopholes can be identified.

 

2. Multiple testing techniques can be leveraged: There may be complexities involved in dealing with application security and hence utilizing different testing techniques is considered to be a strategic move. Some of the key testing techniques that can be leveraged are white-box testing, black-box testing and gray-box testing.

 

3. Testing needs to be integrated into the development process: Security testing needs to be flawlessly incorporated into the development workflow, thereby ensuring efficient and consistent security practices.