Dynamic Application Security Testing vs Manual Penetration Testing

Developers should use DAST during the testing phase of the software development lifecycle to identify runtime security vulnerabilities that static analysis might miss, such as injection flaws, broken authentication, and sensitive data exposure meets developers should learn manual penetration testing to build more secure applications by thinking like an attacker and identifying logic flaws, business logic vulnerabilities, and complex attack chains that automated scanners often overlook. Here's our take.

Dynamic Application Security Testing

Nice Pick

Developers should use DAST during the testing phase of the software development lifecycle to identify runtime security vulnerabilities that static analysis might miss, such as injection flaws, broken authentication, and sensitive data exposure

Pros

• It is particularly valuable for web applications and APIs exposed to the internet, as it helps ensure compliance with security standards like OWASP Top 10 and PCI-DSS before deployment
• Related to: static-application-security-testing, penetration-testing

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Manual Penetration Testing

Developers should learn manual penetration testing to build more secure applications by thinking like an attacker and identifying logic flaws, business logic vulnerabilities, and complex attack chains that automated scanners often overlook

Pros

• It's crucial for roles in application security, red teaming, or secure development, especially when assessing custom or legacy systems, conducting compliance audits (like PCI DSS or HIPAA), or performing targeted security assessments for high-value assets
• Related to: vulnerability-assessment, owasp-top-10

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Dynamic Application Security Testing if: You want it is particularly valuable for web applications and apis exposed to the internet, as it helps ensure compliance with security standards like owasp top 10 and pci-dss before deployment and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Manual Penetration Testing if: You prioritize it's crucial for roles in application security, red teaming, or secure development, especially when assessing custom or legacy systems, conducting compliance audits (like pci dss or hipaa), or performing targeted security assessments for high-value assets over what Dynamic Application Security Testing offers.

The Bottom Line

Dynamic Application Security Testing wins

Developers should use DAST during the testing phase of the software development lifecycle to identify runtime security vulnerabilities that static analysis might miss, such as injection flaws, broken authentication, and sensitive data exposure