Software security testing is one of the most important yet overlooked testing activities carried out by developers. Software security testing is executing security-related automated and manual tests on software to check its security. These tests identify and eliminate vulnerabilities in the software before the code is released to the public. This blog post will teach you the importance of having a dedicated testing budget, the most common reasons why software security testing should be your top priority, and why you should consider leaving software testing to professionals. You will also learn about the four roles of a software security tester, the most critical security testing phases, and the key concepts of Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Analysis.
Why is Software Security Testing Important?
Software security testing is an important activity that many developers neglect because they focus on functionality, usability, and other aspects of the product rather than identifying potential risks.
The need for software security testing has become more prominent due to the increased use of mobile devices, which are much more challenging to secure as they can be lost or stolen so easily. Software flaws have also become easier to exploit with technology advancements and cybercriminals having greater access to information about known vulnerabilities.
Why a Dedicated Security Testing Budget is Needed
There are many reasons why a dedicated security testing budget is needed, but the primary reason can simply be put down to human error. With so much focus on creating new features and fulfilling deadlines, software developers often overlook the importance of securing their code. This can have devastating consequences for your business if your software contains vulnerabilities that allow attackers to bypass your defenses and access your data.
A dedicated budget should be set aside to ensure that professionals conduct security testing. It's also essential for businesses to have a strategic plan for allocating this budget, as not all vulnerabilities require the same level of investment.
The Most Common Reasons Why Software Security Testing Should be Your Top Priority
There are many reasons you should consider software security testing a top priority of your business. It can improve your product's quality and differentiate you from your competitors by showing that you're committed to delivering a secure product. This will reassure your customers that you care about their data and privacy, which will make them less hesitant about purchasing from you.
Another reason software security testing should be at the top of your list is that it reduces the risk of a major incident by dealing with vulnerabilities before they become significant problems for your organization.
Using software security testing methods also helps avoid legal complications like lawsuits, regulatory fines, or penalties due to non-compliance with industry regulations such as HIPAA or GDPR. You don't want these issues affecting your business or disrupting how you work!
Every piece of code has bugs, including software code, but they can be easily patched before release, which helps make sure no one exploits them. Software stability also increases with proper testing, meaning that you have fewer incidents that require an outage or data loss (which results in a lot more frustration).
Why you Should Hire Penetration Testers
A dedicated budget for software testing is one of the most important aspects of a holistic security strategy. If a company has a dedicated budget for software testing, they are more likely to find vulnerabilities in its system before it's released to the public.
Penetration testers also have an advantage over other types of testers because they get feedback on how hackers could exploit certain vulnerabilities in the system and what would happen if they did. This is helpful knowledge that can be used to fix those weaknesses before releasing the software to the public. Their knowledge is invaluable when it comes to creating a comprehensive security strategy. Penetration testers spend much of their time researching how hackers might break into your system and try to exploit them. This makes them more valuable than other types of testers who may not be as knowledgeable about hacking techniques and strategies.
Another reason why you should hire penetration testers is because it's often difficult for developers and quality assurance (QA) teams to understand how hackers think when trying to break into systems. Penetration testers have enough experience with hacking techniques and strategies to do this type of work more effectively than those without security-related expertise, like developers or QA teams. They don't have the same level of knowledge as penetration testers which makes it challenging for them to stay a step ahead when designing new products or adding features that may have security implications that need addressing.
Key Concepts of Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Analysis
Penetration testing is the process of putting a system or application through its paces to find out how secure it is. The idea behind the test is to attempt real-world attacks and see what would happen.
A vulnerability analysis is when you look for possible threats to your system and vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit. You will look for any gaps in the software's defenses that leave it vulnerable to attack.
The 4 roles in software security testing are:
1) Security Tester
2) Penetration Tester
3) Vulnerability Analyst
4) Code Auditor
Final Words
Software security testing is a valuable asset for your business. You will want to make sure that you take the necessary steps to protect your company's software from being exploited by cybercriminals. With a dedicated testing budget, you can eliminate this risk and take advantage of everything that software security testing offers.
Need Software Security Testing? We Can Help
If your organization is looking to enhance its cyber security, Bydrec is ready for you. Bydrec has researched, interviewed, and hired outstanding software security testers ready to start working for you. We offer highly skilled software developers at a low cost, and we are focused on excellent customer service and delivering customizable solutions. Contact Bydrec by calling (866) 219-7733, contacting us here, or emailing info@bydrec.com for nearshore software outsourcing you can trust.
