Dynamic Application Security Testing
Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is a security testing methodology that analyzes running applications in real-time to identify vulnerabilities and security weaknesses. It simulates external attacks on web applications, APIs, and mobile apps by sending malicious inputs and observing responses without access to source code. DAST tools typically operate from an outsider's perspective, mimicking how real attackers would interact with the application.
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. 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. DAST should be integrated into CI/CD pipelines for continuous security validation in production-like environments.