
Software Testing - Security Testing
Software testing is done with respect to the functional, and non-functional requirements of the software. The security testing is a part of the non-functional testing and it detects the weaknesses in the software.
What is Software Security Testing?
The security testing is performed to protect the data, and resources of the software from the attackers. It confirms that the software is devoid of any threats or vulnerabilities which can cause harm. Thus the security system mainly deals with the security bottlenecks that may bring in loss of data, and reputation to the company.
The security testing analyzes the overall security of the software. Its objective is to detect probable threats, and weaknesses so that there is protection against all the types of security violations, weak passwords, misconfigurations, unpatched software, data theft, unauthorized access etc. There are various automation tools namely Nessus, OpenVAS, Metasploit etc that are used for the security testing.
Goals of Software Security Testing
The goals of the software security testing are listed below −
- The security testing detects potential threats, risks, and weaknesses in the software which can be exploited by the intruders.
- The security testing helps the developers to fix the security issues in the software.
- The security testing measures the softwares ability to bear the attacks from the network, application level, and social-engineering.
- The security testing verifies if the software is built correctly as per security standards, and regulations namely HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOC2.
- The security testing conducts a detailed security check.
- The security testing prepares an organization on how to respond to potential security breaches.
- The security testing identifies and fixes defects in the software before it is ready for deployment, thereby reducing the probability of finding issues in the production.
Principles of Software Security Testing
The principles of the software security testing are listed below −
- Authentication
- Authorization
- Confidentiality
- Integrity
- Availability
- Non-repudiation
Major Focuses of Software Security Testing
The major focuses of the software security testing are listed below −
- The security testing is mainly focused on the network, software, client-side application, and server-side application security.
- The security testing is mainly focused on the softwares capabilities to accurately authenticate, and authorize devices, users etc. This can be achieved by ensuring efficient user credentials, strong authentication mechanisms, access controls, and permissions.
- The security testing is mainly focused on checking the network, and its resources namely firewalls, routers etc. This can be achieved by verifying the softwares capabilities to provide protection against denial of service(DoS), and man-in-the middle threats.
- The security testing is mainly focused on checking the database parameters, and applications which include verifications on the SQL injection, cross-site scripting etc.
- The security testing is mainly focused on checking the data security of the software which include verifications on the data theft, encryption, integrity, leakage etc.
- The security testing is mainly focused on checking if the software is compliant with security regulations, and standards such as SOC2, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
- The security testing is mainly focused on checking the security of the cloud infrastructure.
Types of Software Security Testing
The different types of the software security testing are listed below −
1. Vulnerability Scanning − It is performed using an automated tool to scan the software and to detect the trends in vulnerabilities.
2. Security Scanning − It is performed using automation or manually to detect the network, and software weaknesses, and gives solutions to reduce them.
3. Penetration Testing − It is performed by simulating an attack from a possible intruder. It evaluates the software to determine all its probable weaknesses.
4. Risk Assessment − t is performed to evaluate the security risks in the software, to categorize them as high, medium or low, and to reduce them.
5. Security Auditing − It is performed to carry out an internal inspection(by going through the code line-by line) of the software, and the operating systems to identify the security bugs.
6. Ethical Hacking − It is performed to reveal the security issues in the software.
7. Posture Assessment − It integrates the security scanning, ethical hacking, and evaluation of risks to enhance the overall security of the software.
8. Application Security Testing − It is performed to identify the security loopholes in the software which includes checking the source code, various parameters, and dependencies to determine the probable weaknesses.
9. Network Security Testing − It is performed to identify the weaknesses in the network infrastructures which includes checking the firewalls, routers, various network devices.
10. Social Engineering Testing − It is performed to simulate activities namely phishing, baiting, various attacks to detect vulnerabilities from the human perspective.
Advantages of Software Security Testing
The advantages of the software security testing are listed below −
- The security testing determines all the security loopholes in the software which can be utilized by hackers.
- The security testing adds to the complete security of the software by detecting, and resolving the security flaws.
- The security testing works on validating whether the software is compliant with security regulations, and standards such as SOC2, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
- The security testing reduces the probability of finding defects in the production.
- The security testing assists an organization by analyzing all the probable security risks, and unsteadiness. It also prepares them on how to face, and respond to them.
Disadvantages of Software Security Testing
The disadvantages of the software security testing are listed below −
- The security testing requires a considerable amount of resources in terms of hardware and software to simulate various kinds of attacks.
- The testers performing the security testing should be experienced, skillful, and should have the knowledge to configure and run the security tests.
- The security testing does not cover all types of inefficiencies, and issues in the software. It has a limited scope.
- The security testing results may give false positives or negatives which may cause ambiguities, and confusion.
- The security testing is a costly, and time consuming process.
- It is not easy to assume, and then simulate real world threats from the actual attackers.
Conclusion
This concludes our comprehensive take on the tutorial on Software Security Testing. Weve started with describing what is software security testing, what are the goals of the software security testing, what are the principles of the software security testing, what are the major focuses of the software security testing, what are the different types of the software security testing, what are the advantages of software security testing, and what are the disadvantages of software security testing. This equips you with in-depth knowledge of Software Security Testing. It is wise to keep practicing what youve learned and exploring others relevant to Software Testing to deepen your understanding and expand your horizons.