Security Testing in Development and Acceptance
Security testing is a critical component of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), ensuring that applications and systems meet defined security requirements before deployment. Effective security testing helps identify vulnerabilities, validate security controls, and prevent security flaws from reaching production environments. By integrating security testing into development and acceptance processes, organisations can proactively mitigate risks, improve system resilience, and ensure compliance with security best practices and regulatory standards.
Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, with attackers leveraging increasingly sophisticated methods to exploit weaknesses in software and systems. Security testing is essential for detecting these vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, helping organisations reduce the risk of breaches, data leaks, and unauthorised access.
This article explores the key principles, methods, and best practices for security testing, as outlined in ISO/IEC 27001:2022, covering functional and non-functional security testing, automated tools, acceptance criteria, and the importance of maintaining secure test environments.
Purpose of Security Testing
The primary objectives of security testing in development and acceptance include:
Validating Security Controls – Ensuring that security functions, such as authentication and access controls, operate as intended.
Identifying Security Vulnerabilities – Detecting flaws in applications, configurations, and code before deployment.
Ensuring Compliance – Aligning with industry standards, legal, and regulatory requirements.
Preventing Security Breaches – Reducing the risk of cyberattacks by identifying and mitigating security weaknesses.
Supporting Secure Development Practices – Embedding security into the software development lifecycle.
Enhancing System Resilience – Strengthening applications against potential exploitation.
Ensuring Secure Integration – Verifying that interconnected systems and third-party integrations do not introduce security risks.
Improving User and Data Protection – Safeguarding user credentials, sensitive data, and privacy.
Security Testing in the Software Development Lifecycle
Security testing should be an integral part of the SDLC, from initial design to deployment and ongoing monitoring.
The key phases of security testing include:
1. Security Testing During Development
Security testing should begin early in the development process and continue throughout the SDLC.
Key activities include:
Static Application Security Testing (SAST) – Analysing source code for security vulnerabilities before execution.
Secure Code Reviews – Conducting manual and automated code reviews to detect security flaws.
Secure Configuration Testing – Ensuring operating systems, databases, and security tools are securely configured.
Unit and Component Testing – Verifying that security functions, such as encryption and authentication, work correctly.
Dependency Analysis – Identifying vulnerabilities in third-party and open-source components.
Threat Modelling – Analysing potential threats and attack vectors to refine security controls early in development.
Secure API Testing – Ensuring API endpoints implement authentication, authorisation, and encryption.
2. Security Testing During Integration and Acceptance
As software components are integrated, security testing should be expanded to ensure secure interactions between systems.
Activities include:
Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) – Testing running applications to detect vulnerabilities in real-world conditions.
Penetration Testing – Simulating attacks to evaluate how well an application resists exploitation.
Threat Modelling – Identifying and assessing potential security risks based on the application’s architecture and use cases.
Security Regression Testing – Ensuring new updates or changes do not introduce security vulnerabilities.
Fuzz Testing – Providing random, malformed, or unexpected inputs to detect security weaknesses.
Privilege Escalation Testing – Validating that users cannot gain higher privileges than intended.
Session Management Testing – Ensuring that user sessions are properly handled and do not allow session hijacking.
3. Security Testing in Pre-Deployment and Acceptance
Before an application is moved to production, final security validation should be performed to ensure compliance with security policies and acceptance criteria.
Activities include:
Vulnerability Scanning – Using automated tools to identify known vulnerabilities in applications and infrastructure.
Authentication and Access Control Testing – Validating user authentication, session management, and authorisation mechanisms.
Data Protection Testing – Ensuring encryption, data masking, and secure storage controls function correctly.
Application Hardening Verification – Ensuring the software is protected against tampering, reverse engineering, and other threats.
Security Logging and Monitoring Verification – Ensuring logs are generated for security events and can be monitored effectively.
Cloud Security Testing – Ensuring applications deployed in cloud environments meet security requirements.
Key Considerations for Security Testing
Security testing should be planned and executed based on the specific risks associated with an application, its data, and its environment.
Key considerations include:
Test Coverage – Ensuring all security requirements, including functional and non-functional security controls, are tested.
Testing Environment – Using a dedicated test environment that closely matches production configurations to ensure reliable results.
Use of Automated Tools – Leveraging vulnerability scanners, code analysis tools, and security testing frameworks.
Independent Security Testing – Engaging independent security teams or third-party auditors to perform unbiased security assessments.
Testing Scope and Risk Assessment – Prioritising high-risk components and critical application functionality.
Compliance-Driven Testing – Ensuring security testing aligns with legal and regulatory standards.
Adversary Simulation – Conducting red team exercises to mimic real-world attack scenarios.
Security Testing Tools and Techniques
A combination of manual and automated security testing tools should be used to enhance testing effectiveness.
Common security testing tools include:
Static Analysis Tools – Detect coding flaws and security vulnerabilities in source code (e.g., SonarQube, Checkmarx).
Dynamic Analysis Tools – Identify security weaknesses in running applications (e.g., OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite).
Fuzz Testing Tools – Generate unexpected inputs to uncover security flaws (e.g., AFL, Peach Fuzzer).
Penetration Testing Frameworks – Evaluate application security using ethical hacking techniques (e.g., Metasploit, Kali Linux).
Dependency Scanners – Identify vulnerabilities in third-party libraries and dependencies (e.g., OWASP Dependency-Check, Snyk).
Infrastructure Security Scanners – Assess security configurations and vulnerabilities in servers, databases, and networks (e.g., Nessus, OpenVAS).
Cloud Security Testing Tools – Assess security controls and misconfigurations in cloud deployments (e.g., AWS Inspector, Microsoft Defender for Cloud).
Security Testing for Outsourced Development and Third-Party Components
For outsourced software development or third-party software acquisitions, security testing should be included as part of the procurement and contract management process.
Organisations should:
Define security testing requirements in supplier contracts.
Require vendors to conduct security testing and provide evidence of compliance.
Perform independent security testing before accepting external software components.
Ensure third-party components undergo continuous security assessments and updates.
Implement a risk-based approach to third-party integrations.
Security Testing and Compliance
Security testing should align with industry standards and regulatory requirements, including:
ISO/IEC 27001 & 27002 – Best practices for information security management and controls.
OWASP ASVS – Application security verification standards for secure software development.
NIST SP 800-53 – Security and privacy controls for federal information systems.
PCI DSS – Security requirements for payment applications and data protection.
GDPR – Data protection and privacy regulations requiring secure handling of personal data.
CIS Benchmarks – Security configuration best practices for systems and applications.
Continuous Security Testing and Monitoring
Security testing is not a one-time activity but an ongoing process.
Organisations should:
Integrate security testing into CI/CD pipelines for continuous validation.
Perform regular vulnerability assessments and penetration tests.
Monitor applications and infrastructure for security threats.
Update test cases and methodologies to adapt to emerging threats and attack vectors.
Use AI-driven security analytics for proactive threat detection
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