Manual Security Testing vs Dynamic Application Security Testing

Developers should learn manual security testing to enhance application security by finding subtle vulnerabilities like business logic errors, authentication bypasses, or session management issues that automated scanners often overlook meets 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. Here's our take.

Manual Security Testing

Nice Pick

Developers should learn manual security testing to enhance application security by finding subtle vulnerabilities like business logic errors, authentication bypasses, or session management issues that automated scanners often overlook

Pros

• It is crucial in high-risk environments such as financial systems, healthcare applications, or critical infrastructure, where thorough security validation is required before deployment
• Related to: owasp-top-10, penetration-testing

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Dynamic Application Security 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

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

The Verdict

Use Manual Security Testing if: You want it is crucial in high-risk environments such as financial systems, healthcare applications, or critical infrastructure, where thorough security validation is required before deployment and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Dynamic Application Security Testing if: You prioritize 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 over what Manual Security Testing offers.

The Bottom Line

Manual Security Testing wins

Developers should learn manual security testing to enhance application security by finding subtle vulnerabilities like business logic errors, authentication bypasses, or session management issues that automated scanners often overlook