SAST vs DAST vs RASP: What’s the best security testing method?

Definition

SAST, or white box testing, is one of the security testing methods that’s been around for a while. It targets your code as the source of detecting vulnerabilities. It examines the code line by line to ensure that any weaknesses are revealed so that they can be fixed before the application is launched. Practitioners can test the application from the inside-out, with access to the underlying framework and design of the app. 

Benefits 

Code weaknesses are one of the main issues in the world of cybersecurity, and most practitioners know that if their code isn’t up to standards it will be easily exploited by malicious actors. In this way, using SAST to protect your applications provides a good solution. It can easily identify exactly where the weak line of code is, and it’s scalable, too. Because this security tool is used early on in the app development process, it saves time and money while not requiring a deployed application. Practitioners can also use SAST with most kinds of software.

Challenges 

That being said, SAST should not be used as the be-all and end-all of application security. SAST is unable to detect application errors in runtime, and is limited to just examining static code. It’s also not very good at identifying flaws in data flow, and when used alone it can deliver more false positives and negatives. In the realm of application security, it covers only one piece of the puzzle. 

Definition

DAST, or black box testing, puts administrators in the perspective of malicious actors in order to identify security gaps and vulnerabilities. In this version of security testing, the practitioner tries to breach the application using various methods. Source code isn’t needed, since this is an outside-in testing tool, but you do need to use it on a running application. 

Benefits

This tool is extremely useful for practitioners who want to see how a new application holds up against potential attackers. This is a critical step in the development process if you want your app to be secure. It can also help reveal issues with the application that occur during runtime, something that SAST can’t cover. 

Challenges

DAST can’t identify exactly where the weaknesses in code lie, so it will tell you there’s a problem but not where the problem is. Additionally, most vulnerabilities are identified at the end of the development process, which can become costly and delay the launch of your application. While DAST is good at mimicking an attack from a malicious actor, it’s not perfect, and there might be some vulnerabilities that are missed, especially since it’s only used with web apps and services.

Definition

RASP uses the app’s data and logic so it can detect, block, and report attacks. Because it’s built into an application, when the system detects abnormal behavior in the application, it automatically isolates and identifies the issue. RASP gives contextual data on the app’s behavior when a threat is detected. It tells you exactly who is attacking, where a vulnerability lies, and which applications have been targeted.

Benefits 

This tool provides application protection 24/7, independent of an administrator. The data in an app is self-protected, so malicious actors can’t use it. RASP is also highly efficient in defending against attacks. The tech is intelligent enough to know the difference between an attack and an info request, which is critical in reducing the amount of false positives. Since the technology operates largely without human intervention, RASP gives more time back to security teams, allowing them to focus on business-critical priorities. 

Challenges

This is still a young technology. Because it’s young, it’s continuing to be tested, and an app can potentially experience some latency with RASP tech that hasn’t been fine-tuned. If you know your application needs some work, address those fixes first, since RASP can’t help if your application is defective. In addition, the tool should be combined with a collaborative DevSecOps security policy to fully protect against all types of vulnerabilities. 

If you’re inclined to use SAST or DAST as a security testing method, you should use them both in tandem to make sure that your application security is strong and covers more bases. In many ways, they are not complete without each other, since SAST and DAST cover different territories of the app to reveal vulnerabilities. This is a good way to approach application security, but if you’re looking for the most modern security testing tool, RASP is a clear winner. 

Because RASP allows the application to protect itself from vulnerabilities and threats at all times, it’s going to be the best bet for efficiently and effectively remediating security issues. However, like we noted before, RASP is built into your application, so it’s not a tool you can implement overnight. 

Security teams that are looking for a “quick fix” need to be mindful of two things: 1) how will this protect your applications in the short term vs the long term, and 2) are you willing to risk compromising the data of your customers for a cheaper, easier security tool?

We created Secure Application in partnership with Cisco to provide a Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) solution for modern applications. Cisco Secure Application defends against attacks to prevent security breaches, keeping the data of your users and your digital business secure at all times. 

Cisco Secure Application helps to:

• Protect application communications without additional firewalls or proxies

• Automatically block threats in real-time to safeguard customer data, organizational IP, and your brand’s reputation

• Simplify the life cycle of vulnerability fixes and see what is happening inside the code to prevent known exploits