Why Is Web Application Security Testing Important?

Now, that’s the optimistic view.

The optimistic view is an important one. If you want to own and operate a small business, you need to have an optimistic perspective on the internet. Used properly, the Web is an invaluable tool that can grow your business exponentially.

Used improperly, however, and the internet becomes a much more dangerous place.

We are surrounded by attackers

Malicious users of the internet are everywhere. Sometimes they are obvious. Many times, they are undetectable to the naked eye. They attack web applications every single day, stealing personal information and user data.

In other words, anybody using the internet is potentially being watched – and attackers are always lurking, waiting for the perfect opportunity to slip in and make their move.

Is that it? Should we just abandon all hope of using the internet safely and productively without risking our information? Of course not. New technology is being developed all the time to improve security.

At the heart of new technological development is web application security testing.

What is security testing?

Security testing is exactly what it sounds like: a step in the development process where an application or website is examined for vulnerabilities.

In what is called a “security development lifecycle,” the application is tested and security is considered repeatedly so that any vulnerabilities can be patched before hackers break their way in and take advantage of them.

This is incredibly important when you are discussing web applications that deal with a user’s private information, such as payment data. By testing, you can ensure that this data is secure and protected, and that the application maintains its functionality.

In practice, think of your business website as a web application. If your site involves a user making a payment or placing an order, then you will need your security to be tight. Even if the only piece of information a user has to enter is their email address, that is a point of vulnerability if the latest applications are not used for that functionality.

Security testing is an active, rigorous analysis of weaknesses, flaws, and vulnerabilities. Through testing, you can identify the problems and repair them before data is lost.

The six web application security testing concepts

When discussing security, there are six basic concepts that are focused on:

1. Confidentiality: Do your users have full control over their confidential information – so that only authorized users can have access to it?
2. Integrity: Can you verify and confirm that the information you receive from users on your site is correct?
3. Authentication: Simply put, is the user’s identity correct?
4. Authorization: When someone on your website is doing business or taking action, do they have permission to do so?
5. Availability: Can you be confident that the information and data you present on your site is ready at any time for users to access?
6. Non-Repudiation: Can you prevent later denials that an action happened?

Working together, these six core concepts provide the framework for a web application that is trustworthy and safe to use.

Security testing is critical

As you can imagine, web application security testing is a fundamental piece of your website.

Insecure software is rampant on the internet, and it is an epidemic that needs to be addressed. When you are providing a service online, you need to make sure it will behave correctly for users, even as malicious attacks are being conducted around them.

But if you are not a software engineer, you need a solution that will provide this safety and security with minimal effort and experience. Sectigo Web Patch proactively patches your website regularly after daily scans for vulnerabilities, regardless of the platform you are using.

By employing Web Patch, you keep your business – and your customers – as safe as possible from attackers.