Security Testing
Security testing is a software testing methodology focused on identifying vulnerabilities, threats, and risks in applications to ensure protection against malicious attacks and unauthorized access. It involves evaluating the security mechanisms of a system, including authentication, authorization, confidentiality, integrity, and availability, to prevent data breaches and cyber threats. This process helps organizations comply with security standards and build trust with users by safeguarding sensitive information.
Developers should learn and use security testing to proactively identify and fix security flaws before deployment, reducing the risk of costly data breaches and reputational damage. It is essential for applications handling sensitive data, such as financial systems, healthcare apps, and e-commerce platforms, to meet regulatory requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS. Incorporating security testing into the development lifecycle, such as in DevSecOps practices, ensures robust, secure software that protects against common threats like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and authentication bypass.