Application Security
With thousands of active applications worldwide, threats have become prevalent, thus application security now requires more attention than it did before.
According to Infosecurity Magazine, 14 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were hit by major attacks last year leading to a combined total loss of £8.8 billion. It is estimated that the average cost incurred by the affected businesses was around £6400, although these costs could go to as high as £20,000.
What is Application Security?
Application security is a process of analysing applications for security flaws and rectifying them. Much of this is done during the development phase. However, there is a need for routine assessment of deployed applications, due to the heightened hacking activities.
For individuals and SMEs, a security breach is damaging, both financially and legally. It also lead to their collapse due to extortion from the attackers and legal suits by their customers.
Application Security Challenges
Security challenges mostly emanate from the application development process and an organisation’s application security strategy. Therefore, companies should approach security from a business point of view and a threat standpoint. Here are some of the application security challenges that our experts deal with.
Cross-site scripting (XSS)
The program code allows insertion of a malicious code, in form of a browser-side script, to an otherwise trusted application.
Out-of-bounds write
The program writes data past or before the beginning of the intended buffer. This leads to corruption of data, malicious code execution, and/or a crash.
Improper input validation
The code fails to validate input or validates incorrect input.
Within the bounds of a memory buffer
The program tries to store data in a buffer it was supposed to hold, making it overflow elsewhere. The extra data many contain instructions that trigger specific action which many include disclosing sensitive data.
SQL injection
The program writes data past or before the beginning of the intended buffer. This leads to corruption of data, malicious code execution, and/or a crash.
Out-of-bounds read
The application code reads data outside of the allocated memory. An attacker inserts data with a malicious code into the buffer memory so that the program can read and execute this code.
Discover how having a regular network penetration testing routine will ensure attackers stay out of your company network.
Vulnerability Testing for Applications
Vulnerability testing is a process used to scour for vulnerabilities in applications. Left unaddressed, these vulnerabilities leave applications exposed to attacks. Ideally, vulnerability testing is done during the development life cycle of the application. For instance, in the testing phase, developers sieve through codes looking for possible “bad” or vulnerable elements. But with the growth of DevOps and Continuous Delivery, vulnerability testing is being extended to already deployed applications.
There are many tools used to conduct vulnerability testing, some require expertise, and others are developed for automated use. The results are dependent on the scope of the testing area as well as the testing tool. There are two common methods used in vulnerability testing:
- Static Application Security Testing – This technology sieves through an application’s source code, searching for vulnerabilities. It is commonly used before deploying the application.
- Dynamic Application Security Testing – This is a vulnerability testing technology used to test the behavioural state or a software’s behavioural response.
At Defensity, we do both Static and Dynamic types of vulnerability testing. Contact us today for all enquiries on application security.
Network Penetration Testing
Network Penetration Testing goes beyond vulnerability assessment. It involves intentionally attacking your company network to identify existing vulnerabilities.
Do you want to understand the health status of your network resources? Contact us and learn more about our top-notch Network penetration testing services.
Cyber Security Consultancy
At Defensity, we are experts in application security. Talk to us, and let’s help you assess how safe your network and web-based applications are secure against cyber-attacks.
Why choose Defensity for your Application Security?
We are the best in what we do. Every day, we help individuals and businesses in hundreds of different niches implement real-life solutions to application security vulnerabilities.
Because application security is our job, we are able to provide you with security guidance and support from real cyber security experts.
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