Date: 27 September 2024
Application security testing is now crucial in the contemporary era of fast technological advancements owing to the increased risk posed to application software.
Today, any threat could be a cyber threat, so new methods are needed to protect applications across the SDLC.
This article looks at 10 of the best application security testing tools for 2024, including the application of vulnerability, scanning and penetration test as a service. Such tools offer more sophisticated approaches to enable organisations to meet their compliance requirements and overcome challenges like cross-site scripting and SQL injection.
Let’s check them out:
1. Automated Vulnerability Scanning Platforms
Automated vulnerability scanning platforms are crucial tools for application security testing. These platforms continuously search for known vulnerabilities, such as missing security updates or misconfigurations, across an organisation's IT ecosystem.
Automated Scanning Features & Benefits
These platforms offer methods of host discovery, ports scanning and safe probing message. Processed scanning eliminates human work so that scanning is frequent for checking new threats that are always being developed.
Implementation
To execute an automation scanner, someone has to find a solution that suits the security or have the ability to work both for distributed and hybrid companies. Scans produce a set of vulnerabilities that range in terms of risk and provide suggestions for rectification of the risks.
2. Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) Solutions
PTaaS is an approach in application security testing that applies both automation and human input that offers security penetration testing in real time.
PTaaS Capabilities & Advantages
PTaaS platforms are alert to these weaknesses and report them in real-time. Expert pentesters in essence, mimic actual attacks in a way that may be overlooked by a tool. PTaaS also drives DevOps transformation to DevSecOps as it incorporates security into users’ build-test-release cycle.
Integration
Some of the PTaaS platforms are fitted into CI/CD pipeline solutions and issue tracking solutions to enhance communication between security teams and developers. Testing status updates in real-time are made possible by configurable displays.
3. Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) Tools
RASP tools provide real time protection against cyber threats because security is embedded into a software application.
RASP Functionality & Benefits
RASP proactively supervises the running applications and identifies threats at a higher level of effectiveness than the traditional metrics. There are no WAFs that offer fewer false positives than it does and it offers developers useful information about threats.
Deployment
RASP can be either directly included in an application, or interfaced through functions. This precise feature is instrumental in its application in an existing DevOps pathway hence making it a critical component in application security.
4. Threat Modeling and Risk Assessment Platforms
Threat modeling and risk assessment platforms support applications in threat implication assessment in an organisation.
Threat Modeling Features & Advantages
Current threat modeling tools detect threats and provide recommendations for their elimination, including multiple methodologies such as STRIDE, PASTA, and DREAD tools. In threat modeling, risks are viewed at a strategic level, thereby helping various teams come up with approaches on how specifically to develop systems that are much more secure.
Implementation
Threat modeling involve identification of risks to be analyzed as well as characterizing system architecture, assets and threats. As such, this makes it easier for teams to handle particular security issues before they graduate to higher levels of severity.
5. Secure Code Review Tools
Automated code review tools are used in checking problems in the source code with a focus on issues of security.
Code Review Capabilities & Benefits 
Automated code reviews are usually done using secure code review tools whereby the tools trad on behalf of the intended application and single out vulnerabilities and security flaws in source code. When searching for one of the best alternatives to Veracode, it will be possible to find other programs possessing similar features and functionality. These programs offer abilities that would help in making code reviews much more effective and efficient for developers. They also help them understand how to make their code more secure.
Integration
Code review tools can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines and issue tracking systems, fostering better collaboration between security and development teams.
6. Application Security Orchestration and Correlation (ASOC) Solutions
ASOC platforms organize various types of security testing to get an overall view of the application security.
ASOC Features & Advantages
ASOC tools constantly proctor applications for vulnerabilities as well as information from SAST, DAST, and IAST scramblers. DevSecOps teams use them to dispense with routine processes and save time for more pressing items.
Deployment
ASOC solutions can be embedded into the current cybersecurity and development workflows enhancing coordination between security and development departments.
7. Mobile Application Security Testing Frameworks
Mobile application security testing frameworks help prevent security threats in mobile apps, such as those on iOS and Android platforms.
Capabilities & Benefits
It is worth noting that these frameworks work with static and dynamic analysis, penetration testing, and vulnerability scanning. Security certificates are crucial for the protection of users’ information, to accomplish the confidence of clients, as well as compliance with the industry standards.
Implementation
Mobile security frameworks must be incorporated into SDLC to permit for ongoing security evaluations to be conducted as well as encouraging the multifunctional approach to work.
8. Web Application Firewall (WAF) Integration Tools
There is no doubt that the integration tools used within WAF are critical in preventing threats such as SQL injection as well as cross site scripting.
WAF Features & Advantages
WAFs are used to identify and prevent malicious activities. They offer API security and boost web application performance. They assist organizations in addressing compliance requirements including the PCI DSS, and enhance security status.
Deployment
WAFs can be implemented at the network level, host level or cloud, based on the requirement of an organization.
9. Compliance-Focused Application Security Testing
Compliance-focused application security testing ensures that applications meet industry regulations such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.
Capabilities & Benefits
Automated compliance testing reduces duplication costs and guarantees that applications are compliant with the laid down rules. This approach enhances the security systems and Other types of risk that may arise due to non compliance.
Implementation
Compliance testing should be carried out in organizations as part of development and this may involve periodic testing to ensure adequate compliance to security and regulatory demands.
10. Open Source Security Testing Platforms
Open source security testing platforms are reliable, versatile and economical in terms of the operation to deliver vulnerability identification.
Capabilities & Benefits
Some of such platforms include OWASP ZAP for Web Application Security Testing and SQLMap that allows automated scanning and estimated risks’ levels. They are effective in SAST, DAST and IAST testing techniques and therefore are very useful in early stages of development security.
Conclusion
New cyber threats come up constantly; therefore, AST needs to be implemented to secure applications across the SDLC. Automated vulnerability scanning, PTaaS are some of the powerful shields that can protect against the new threats.
Through the implementation of these solutions, organizations are therefore able to set a good precedent and mitigate risks. The application security testing will also go on developing to offer strong technologies for future usage.
