Security Testing Importance types Principles

Software testing includes security testing, which is used to find software application flaws, dangers, or threats as well as to help us thwart malicious outside attacks and ensure the security of our software applications.

The basic goal of security testing is to find any ambiguities or vulnerabilities in the application that could prevent it from functioning properly. Security testing helps the programmer fix any weaknesses by allowing us to identify all potential security concerns.

It is a testing procedure that determines whether the data will be secure and keeps the software functioning.Focus on software testing helps protect against malicious intrusions by locating risks, dangers, and flaws in software applications.  Finding any bugs or weaknesses in the software system that could allow users or outsiders to steal data, assets, or reputation is the aim of security tests.  the organization.

Non-functional testing includes security testing.in contrast to functional testing, which examines if the software's features are operating as intended (i.e., "what" the software does), and examines the application's layout and configuration (i.e., "how" it does it). 

How and Why Security Testing is Vital?

The main goal of security testing is to identify the system's risks and evaluate any potential vulnerabilities in order to identify threats and keep the system operational. without being compromised. Additionally, it aids in identifying any security vulnerabilities that might be present in the system and enables programmers to solve issues.

Types of Security Testing

Security Scanning

Both automation testing and manual testing can use security scanning. The vulnerability or undesired file modification in a web-based application, website, network, or file system will be found using this scanning. It will then offer the results that enable us to lessen those threats. Those systems require security screening, depending on the architecture they employ.

Risk Evaluation

We will use risk assessment to reduce an application's risk. Here, we'll look at the security risk that the association suggests there might be. The danger can also be broken down into three categories: high, medium, and low. The vulnerability assessment and major threat control are the main goals of the risk assessment procedure.

Vulnerability Scanning

A network's desktops, servers, laptops, virtual machines, printers, switches, and firewalls are all included in this program, which is used to identify and generate a list of all the systems containing those components. The automated application may be used to do vulnerability scanning, which also identifies the programs and devices that have admitted to having security flaws.

Penetration Testing

Penetration testing is a security procedure where a cyber-security expert tries to locate and take advantage of a computer system's vulnerability. The main goal of these tests is to simulate epidemics, identify system flaws, and protect against intruders who might benefit from them.

Security Auditing

An organized way for assessing the organization's security controls is security auditing. We will check the application and the control system from the inside out for security flaws in this.

Ethical hacking

Ethical hacking is used to identify system flaws and assists organizations in plugging security weaknesses before malicious hackers reveal them. Because ethical hackers occasionally employ the same strategies, devices, and methods as malicious hackers, but with the official person's consent, they will aid us in strengthening the security position of the association.

Ethical hacking aims to strengthen security and defend systems against attacks from malicious users.

Posture Assessment

We can show the full security posture of an organization by combining ethical hacking, risk assessments, and security scans.

Principles Of Security Testing

The purpose of security testing is to confirm that the following security principles are adhered to by an organization's systems, applications, and data:

Confidentiality

Limiting access to sensitive information that is controlled by a system is confidentiality.

Integrity 

it is preventing unauthorized parties from altering data and ensures that it is reliable, accurate, and consistent throughout its lifecycle.

Authentication

A mechanism that authenticates the identity of the person accessing sensitive systems or data is known as authentication.

Authorization

Authenticated users' access to sensitive systems or data must be adequately controlled through authorization, in accordance with their responsibilities or permissions.

Availability

it is the process of making sure that consumers can access vital systems or data when they need it.

Non-repudiation 

By sharing authentication information with a verifiable time stamp, non-repudiation assures that data provided or received cannot be disputed.

Example Security Testing Test Scenarios

Here are some sample security test cases to give you an idea of what to expect.

Passwords should be kept in an encrypted format..

Applications and systems shouldn't permit unauthorized users.

Examine the cookies and application session time.

On financial websites, the back button on the browser shouldn't work.

Roles in Security Testing

Hackers:

Unauthorized access to computer systems or networks

Crackers

Breaking into systems to steal or delete data is known as "cracking."

Ethical Hacker

Ethical Hackers carry out the majority of hacking operations with the owner's consent.

Script Kiddies or packet monkeys

Inexperienced hackers who are proficient in programming

Finding the application's flaws and vulnerabilities is the main goal of security testing, which enables you to protect it from potential threats.

In this article, we've covered several kinds of security testing, their types, principles, examples, and the precise steps and equipment needed to implement them. Since the integrity of your company depends on the security of your data, this is undoubtedly the most crucial testing for any application.