A highly process-oriented Quality Assurance (QA) role in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) produces the most effective software, application, or product. However, it is sometimes viewed as an afterthought to ensure that all parts of the product or application are in order before releasing it to the public or end user.

A seasoned QA specialist will check for bugs, errors, poor load times, and navigation breaks throughout the SDLC to improve the application’s operation. However, security testing is crucial as hackers can easily exploit vulnerabilities. These types of security risks can have disastrous effects, such as data breaches and loss of consumer confidence.

What exactly is security testing?

Security testing is a technique meant to uncover weaknesses in an information system’s security measures that safeguard data and preserve operation as intended.

Security testing, such as software or service requirements, ensures that specific security requirements are met.

For example, typical security requirements may include specific confidentiality, integrity, authentication, availability, authorization, and non-repudiation features.

What are the advantages of performing security testing?

The main benefit of security testing is that it can help identify potential security issues in software or applications before they are released to the public.

Program testing searches for particular problems or weaknesses in the software that might impede or even prevent the software from functioning correctly. On the other hand, security testing looks for application vulnerabilities and threats that might result in the loss of sensitive and private data, money, and reputation.

It’s best to start the security testing process at the requirement collecting stage and work your way through the design, testing, implementation, deployment, and support phases.

Why should security testing be included in QA?

1. It is appropriate for the QA function.

The SDLC team as a whole should be able to meet the requirements of investigating and testing the application’s vulnerabilities from a security perspective. In addition, the QA team should be on the lookout for flaws in the network system software and client-side or server-side application security.

2. A secure application is one of excellent quality.

A bug-free, high-quality software program is not only functional but also secure. A quality assurance staff that pays attention to detail and is aware of security issues may offer an extra layer of defence against cyber attacks.

Many security testing use cases that range from basic areas such as password encryption, permissions, logins, session timeouts, and cookies to more complex methods of bypassing current security measures. A secure application encompasses all of this and more.

3. Security testing is inexpensive.

The cost of repairing a security problem after its release is much higher than the cost of resolving it during the development process. It should be noted that vulnerabilities are frequently identified after implementing the product.

By detecting possible security threats early in the SDLC, QA teams with experience in application security testing may help companies save time and money.

Third-party companies like Rhyno Cybersecurity can help organizations that do not have in-house expertise in application security testing conduct ongoing testing.

Continuous testing solutions

Rather than simply ensuring that the code meets or conforms to a specific standard or audit criteria, DevSecOps uses every tool and technique available in order to ensure that the code is designed to be as accurate and secure as possible to withstand potential cyberattacks.

Rhyno Cybersecurity provides ongoing testing services to assist in the discovery of vulnerabilities throughout the application development lifecycle. DevSecOps is integrated early in the development cycle and can act as an extension of your development team to discover and flag vulnerabilities in your current vulnerability management systems before UAT (UAT).