What to Consider When Choosing a Static Application Security Testing Solution

Cybercriminals are always coming up with new ways to target organizational networks by taking advantage of software application weaknesses. One such instance is the 2017 Equifax data breach, which revealed 145 million Americans' personal information.

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) has currently emerged as a crucial component of proactive security measures, allowing organizations to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities during the development phase. To help you select the best SAST solution for its needs, we’ll explore 10 factors to consider when choosing a static application security testing solution.

What Is Static Application Security Testing?

Static Application Security Testing, often referred to as "white-box testing," is a proactive security testing methodology used during the development phase of software. Unlike dynamic testing that assesses apps during runtime, SAST analyzes the source code, bytecode, or binary code to unveil potential security risks before the software reaches testing or production stages.

How SAST Works

•  Source code analysis: SAST initiates with a thorough analysis of the app’s source code. This involves scanning codebase for errors, vulnerabilities, and adherence to secure coding practices.

• Code review: Human expertise plays a crucial role in SAST. Security analysts and developers conduct in-depth reviews of identified issues, ensuring their relevance. This step eliminates false positives, providing a holistic understanding of the application's security posture.

• Automated scanning: SAST tools use automated scanning techniques for efficient analysis of extensive codebases. These tools utilize static analysis algorithms, identifying patterns and indicators of potential security vulnerabilities, from common coding errors to intricate loopholes.

• Rule-based detection: Operating on predefined security rules and coding standards, SAST tools compare the app’s code against these parameters. Deviations trigger alerts, enabling systematic addressing of potential security issues.

• Integration with development environments: SAST tools seamlessly integrate into development workflows, supporting popular integrated development environments and continuous integration/continuous deployment pipelines.

10 Factors to Consider When Choosing a SAST Solution

1. Comprehensive Code Coverage

An effective SAST solution should provide comprehensive coverage of an app’s source code, bytecode, or binary code. The tool's analysis should extend across various programming languages, ensuring that it can adapt to the diverse technological stack of modern applications. This broad coverage is essential for a thorough examination of the entire codebase, leaving no room for potential blind spots that could be exploited by attackers.

2. Accurate Vulnerability Detection

The primary purpose of deploying an SAST solution is to identify security vulnerabilities accurately. Look for a solution that employs advanced static analysis algorithms, automated scanning techniques, and rule-based detection mechanisms. The tool should go beyond surface-level issues, delving into complex coding errors and intricate loopholes.

3. Integration Capabilities

Seamless integration with development workflows is a key factor in the successful implementation of SAST. The chosen solution should integrate effortlessly into popular integrated development environments and support continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.

This ensures that security analysis becomes an inherent part of the development life cycle, allowing for early detection and remediation of security issues without disrupting the workflow.

4. Code Review Support

While automation is fundamental in SAST, the human touch remains invaluable. Opt for a solution that facilitates code reviews by security analysts and developers. Human intervention is particularly effective in eliminating false positives, providing a more accurate assessment of the application's security status.

5. Scalability and Performance

Choose a SAST solution that aligns with the scalability needs of your organization. The tool should be capable of efficiently analyzing extensive codebases without compromising performance.

Scalability ensures that the SAST solution can adapt to the evolving size and complexity of applications as your business grows. Plus, performance optimization is crucial to avoid delays in the development process and maintain a seamless workflow.

6. Remediation Guidance

An effective SAST solution should not only identify vulnerabilities but also provide clear and actionable remediation guidance. Look for a tool that offers insights into fixing the identified issues, helping developers implement security best practices.

7. Language Support

Consider the programming languages used in your software stack and make sure that the SAST solution supports these languages. A versatile tool with support for a wide range of programming languages ensures that your organization can maintain consistency in security practices across diverse projects.

8. Reporting and Analytics

A robust SAST solution should provide detailed and comprehensible reporting capabilities. Effective reporting enables stakeholders to gain insights into the security status of the application, track improvements over time, and demonstrate compliance with security standards. Analytics features contribute to informed decision-making by offering data-driven perspectives on security metrics and trends.

9. Community and Vendor Support

Consider the support ecosystem surrounding the SAST solution. Open-source tools may benefit from a vibrant community, providing continuous updates, insights, and collaborative problem-solving. For commercial solutions, evaluate the vendor's support offerings, including documentation, training, and responsiveness to queries.

10. Cost-Effectiveness

Last but not least, evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the SAST solution. Consider not only the initial licensing or subscription costs but also factor in potential savings derived from efficient vulnerability identification, reduced security breaches, and streamlined development processes. A cost-effective SAST solution offers a favorable return on investment.

Advantages of SAST

•  Early detection of vulnerabilities: By analyzing the source code, SAST identifies vulnerabilities at an early stage of development, reducing the cost and effort required for remediation.

• Holistic security assessment: SAST provides a comprehensive view of an app’s security, addressing issues related to authentication, authorization, input validation, and other critical security aspects.

• Integration with development processes: Seamless integration into development environments ensures that security is an integral part of the development life cycle, promoting a "shift-left" approach.

• Elimination of false positives: Human reviews in the SAST process help eliminate false positives, ensuring that developers focus on addressing genuine security vulnerabilities.

• Support for compliance requirements: SAST aids in achieving and maintaining compliance with security standards and regulations by addressing security concerns during development.