Technology is a core part of today’s society, it is used in business, communication, leisure, and everything in between. Technological devices consist of two components: hardware and software. The hardware refers to the physical components that comprise the device. Product manufacturers handle the production of these hardware components and build them to be durable and run as intended. Meanwhile, software is the digital component of the device that performs the tasks the users direct it to.
It is almost impossible to develop a single application for all tasks, so software developers have to create many of them with distinct features to meet people’s needs. Each software application is created by a team of software developers, UI/UX designers, scrum masters, product managers, and other professionals in roles that support the team. Every application created must go through adequate software testing before being launched to ensure they are ready for public use.
When apps are being created, they have to go through the software development lifecycle, part of this process is to be tested to ensure the features work as intended. In the early days after apps are fully developed, they are often buggy and may have security vulnerabilities. To find all the bugs and vulnerabilities, they can partner with a top software testing company that has the appropriate tools and expertise.
Finding cybersecurity vulnerabilities in an application usually involves processes like security testing and vulnerability management. During these processes, cybersecurity personnel attempt to breach the application like a real cybercriminal would. The goal is to find the attack vectors in the software and the vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit to infiltrate the system. The vulnerabilities found during these processes can be patched and fixed, making the application safe and secure for users.
Launching software without addressing vulnerabilities will put users’ personal information at risk. This will be bad for users and the software company, as bad actors will steal people’s data and use it for nefarious means. The software company may also face reputational damage and may lose public trust, which will make it hard for them to attract new customers and survive as a business.
Types of Security Testing
Different types of security testing contribute to the detection and elimination of vulnerabilities in software that hackers and cyberattackers can exploit. They are listed below:
- Penetration testing
This is an exercise where ethical hackers simulate cyber attacks that can happen in the real world to detect vulnerabilities in an application. Ethical hackers can perform this exercise either manually or with an automated tool. The aim is to find how to mitigate the cyber threats that software faces, and it requires techniques like application-layer testing and social engineering.
- Vulnerability scanning
During this exercise, cybersecurity professionals use automated tools to detect the security gaps in a software application. Professionals conducting this exercise aim to find and report cybersecurity threats and recommend adequate remediation measures. It allows software developers and other people involved in the app creation process to understand the threats to their software so they can build proper safeguards into it.
- Risk assessment
This is the evaluation of the potential cyber threats on an application and an assessment of the impact of those threats on said application. This exercise lets cybersecurity professionals prioritize the threats based on the severity of their potential impact, and develop plans to deal with all threats.
Endnote
Cybersecurity risks are real and can have devastating impacts if not taken seriously. Software developers and cybersecurity professionals should work together when building apps to ensure that their users’ information stays protected when the app launches. Software development teams can also work with a third-party software testing company to ensure their apps are in good working condition and meet expectations.
Software Testing Lead providing quality content related to software testing, security testing, agile testing, quality assurance, and beta testing. You can publish your good content on STL.
