The Importance of Security Testing in Software Testing

Security testing is an integral aspect of software testing that can safeguard your software application from certain security threats and vulnerabilities. If not performed, it can cause some serious damage not only to your application but the overall brand or organization. This blog post will walk you through the concept of security testing, its importance, the different types of security testing, and more. Let’s start with the definition.

What is Security Testing?

Security testing is a type of testing that helps discover the risks, threats, and security weaknesses in a software application and prevents it from malicious attacks from intruders. The primary purpose of security testing is to identify all possible loopholes in the application that can make it vulnerable to cyber-attacks and ensure that the data and resources are protected from any unauthorized access. Once the possible security risks are detected, programmers work on fixing those vulnerabilities to keep the security level intact.

Also Read: Different Types of Bugs That Arise During Software Testing

Importance of Security Testing

No business or organization wants to compromise with their customer data. Seeing the rise in cyber attacks, especially after the Covid-19, security testing has now become more important than ever. It makes sure that unauthorized third parties cannot exploit your system or break into it easily. Ultimately, security testing offers protection against data breaches or attacks from outsiders. If avoided, it can result in loss of information, revenue, and brand reputation.

Types of Security Testing

Security Testing is generally classified into-

1. Vulnerability Scanning

2. Security Scanning

3. Penetration Testing

4. Risk Assessment

5. Security Auditing

6. Posture Assessment

7. Ethical Hacking

Let’s understand each one by one.

1. Vulnerability Scanning

As the term suggests, vulnerability scanning is a process to scan or detect the vulnerability patterns in the systems or software running on them. This is performed through an automated software by the IT department of the organization or a third-party security vendor.

The scanning process involves detecting and classifying system vulnerabilities in networks, communication equipment, and computers. Additionally, it also predicts how effective the countermeasures are in case the system software is under any risk or attack.

2. Penetration Testing

Penetration testing or Pen testing is a type of testing where an organization simulates a cyber attack to identify the security loopholes in the system and find out possible ways a cyber attacker can try to break into the system. Put simply, a hacker’s mindset and approach are analyzed and then a similar environment is simulated to check what all they can attempt to breach the system security.

3. Risk Assessment

In this type of security testing, the potential security risks and threats within the organization (your technology and processes) are analyzed to verify that controls are in place to safeguard against security risks. The risks are categorized into low, medium, and high.

This security testing provides control and measures to minimize the risks and is usually performed by a security assessor who would evaluate the different aspects of your organization to identify the areas of risk.

4. Ethical Hacking

In ethical hacking, an unauthorized attempt is made to gain unauthorized access to the system, application, or data. It involves replicating strategies and actions of cyber attackers so that the security vulnerabilities that arise can be prevented before an attacker could get an opportunity in real.

Ethical hacking is closely related to Penetration testing, and that’s why they are often used interchangeably. The latter is a specific term that focuses only on identifying the risks and vulnerabilities the system possesses by simulating an environment of an actual attack. The former is an extensive term that covers all hacking and other system attack techniques. We can say Ethical hacking is an umbrella term while Penetration testing is its one aspect.

5. Security Scanning

Security scanning is about identifying security flaws in systems, networks, or devices. It is done using a security scanner which also provides solutions to minimize those risks. This testing can be carried out both manually and automatically.

6. Security Auditing

Security auditing refers to identifying security flaws in software applications or operating systems through an internal inspection. An audit can also be performed via a line-by-line inspection of code.

7. Posture Assessment

Posture assessment combines Security Scanning, Risk Assessment, and Ethical hacking and reflects the status or an overall security posture of the system, network, or organization. It indicates how resilient your organization is in terms of cybersecurity and how well it is prepared to defend itself against cyberattacks.

How is Security Testing performed?

Security testing is usually performed during the software development lifecycle, at different stages. It is always recommended to perform security testing before the implementation or deployment phase. Let’s take a look at the different approaches that are adopted during different stages of the SDLC.

1. Requirement Phase

Security analysis for requirements, and abuse/misuse cases are checked.

2. Design Phase

Risk analysis for designing. A test plan including security tests is developed.

3. Coding and Unit Testing Phase

Static Testing, Dynamic Testing, and White box testing are performed

4. Integration Testing Phase

Black box testing is done

5. System Testing Phase

Black box testing along with Vulnerability scanning is carried out.

6. Implementation Phase

Penetration testing and Vulnerability scanning are performed.

7. Support Phase

Impact analysis of patches.

Principles of Security Testing

Security testing involves six key principles-

1. Confidentiality

It prevents the disclosure of any sensitive information to unauthorized recipients. It ensures that the information doesn’t go to the wrong hands and only the designated persons have access to that data.

2. Authentication

It is the process of identifying the person before he or she is granted access to the system. The user will be allowed access only if they pass the authentication check.

3. Integrity

Integrity is about maintaining the consistency, trustworthiness, and accuracy of data throughout its life cycle. It is to ensure that information is not altered during the transit and the user receives the accurate and desired information.

4. Availability

This is to check if the system is available for authorized users whenever they want to access it except during the maintenance period and security update. The best way to ensure availability is by rigorously maintaining all hardware, performing hardware repairs immediately when needed, and maintaining a correctly functioning operating system environment that is free of software conflicts.

5. Authorization

Authentication is followed by authorization. It limits the access as per the user’s role, which means the user will only be able to access what has been set for him/her.

6. Non-repudiation

This means that the requested services or information between the sender and the receiver has been successfully sent and received by the genuine or claimed person. Basically, it acknowledges the digital confirmation and helps validate that both sender and receiver are genuine.

Summing Up

Security attacks have grown exponentially. Every now and then, cyber attackers would come up with some ways to gain unauthorized access or break into your system. This can be minimized to a great extent, if not eradicated, through security testing.

You’d have now understood how much importance does security testing holds for a software application. It’s not only important for an organization but also for customers to make them feel that their data is secure.