Manual Audits
Manual audits are a systematic, hands-on review process where human experts examine software, systems, or processes to identify issues, ensure compliance, and improve quality. They involve direct inspection, testing, and analysis without relying solely on automated tools, often used in security, accessibility, and code quality assessments. This methodology emphasizes human judgment and contextual understanding to uncover nuanced problems that automated scans might miss.
Developers should learn and use manual audits when dealing with complex, high-stakes systems where automated tools fall short, such as in security penetration testing, accessibility compliance for legal requirements, or code reviews for architectural decisions. It's crucial for uncovering subtle vulnerabilities, ensuring user experience quality, and validating that automated findings are accurate and relevant in real-world scenarios.