Digital security has become a critical concern for organisations across industries. The threat landscape continuously evolves, with cybercriminals becoming more sophisticated and targeting the digital workforce. A recent Deloitte Center for Controllership poll found that many executives experienced cyber threats targeting their organisations’ accounting and financial data. Of those polled, 34.5% reported that cyber adversaries had targeted their data within the past year. Among this group, 22% experienced at least one cyber event, while 12.5% encountered multiple incidents.

Even more concerning is that almost half of the C-suite and other executives surveyed (48.8%) anticipate an increase in the number and scale of cyber events targeting their organisations’ accounting and financial data in the coming year. Surprisingly, only a mere 20.3% of respondents stated that their accounting and finance teams consistently collaborate closely with their counterparts in cybersecurity.

These findings highlight a significant gap between recognising cyber threats and integrating cybersecurity efforts within the digital workforce. Understanding the digital workforce is crucial to creating a secure environment. This workforce comprises remote employees, hybrid employees, contractors and freelancers who are heavily reliant on digital technologies. By gaining insights into their characteristics and dynamics, organisations can tailor security strategies to address specific vulnerabilities and risks.

Assessing the Threat Landscape of the Digital Workforce

Organisations must proactively assess the threat landscape to protect their digital workforce and valuable assets. By doing so, businesses can understand their threats and take appropriate actions to mitigate them.

The first step in assessing the threat landscape is identifying potential cybersecurity risks that threaten the digital workforce. This includes external risks such as sophisticated cyber-attacks, data breaches, malware infections, and internal risks like insider threats and human error. By recognising these risks, organisations can implement targeted security measures to minimise vulnerabilities and protect against potential attacks.

Common Security Challenges for Businesses

Businesses face numerous security challenges in today’s interconnected world. Following are some key challenges faced by the digital workspace in today’s technological world:

• The rapid adoption of cloud technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) introduces new vulnerabilities like data breaches, unauthorised access, misconfiguration, data leakage, and supply chain attacks

• The increasing sophistication of cybercriminals poses constant threats

• Ensuring secure remote access for employees

• Protecting against social engineering attacks

• Managing the security implications of third-party vendors

The Impact of Inadequate Security Measures

Organisations must recognise the significance of investing in robust security measures and prioritising the protection of their digital workforce. Inadequate security measures can have severe consequences for organisations, such as:

• Financial losses resulting from data breaches and compliance penalties Reputational damage and loss of customer trust

• Potential legal implications like intellectual property (IP) theft, data protection lawsuits, and regulatory compliance violations

• Disruption of business operations and low productivity

• Creation of a hostile work environment

Building a Strong Security Infrastructure

Organisations must establish a robust security infrastructure to develop a secure environment for the digital workforce. Companies should follow the following pointers to empower their workforce to safeguard their digital assets actively:

Promoting Security Awareness

It is a crucial step in building a strong security culture. Organisations can foster a sense of responsibility towards maintaining a secure environment by making employees aware of potential risks and threats. This includes educating employees about common cybersecurity threats, such as phishing attacks, social engineering, and malware, and providing practical tips for identifying and reporting potential security incidents. Regular communication channels, such as email updates, newsletters, and internal security bulletins, can disseminate important security information and reinforce the significance of security awareness.

Employee Training and Education

This step is vital in equipping the workforce with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the digital landscape securely. Training sessions should cover essential topics, including password hygiene, secure remote working practices, data protection, and incident response protocols. These training programs can be conducted through online modules, workshops, or interactive sessions encouraging employee participation. By investing in continuous education, organisations can ensure that employees stay up to date with the latest security practices and are well-equipped to mitigate potential risks.

Encouraging Best Practices

Encouraging best practices is an effective way to embed security into everyday workflows and behaviours. This includes establishing clear security policies and guidelines that define acceptable use of technology resources, password complexity requirements, and data handling procedures. Regular reminders and reinforcement of these best practices through internal communications, posters, and digital signage can help keep security top-of-mind for employees. Organisations should also consider implementing incentive programs or recognition initiatives to reward employees demonstrating exemplary security practices, fostering a positive security culture and encouraging widespread adoption of secure behaviours.

Establishing Robust Security Policies

By setting clear guidelines and implementing effective security policies, organisations can ensure that their digital workforce operates in a secure and protected environment.

Developing a Comprehensive Security Policy

This policy document should outline the organisation’s approach to security and guide it on protecting sensitive information, managing access rights, and addressing security incidents. It should also cover acceptable use policies for technology resources, guidelines for secure remote work, and data handling and disposal rules. Organisations can develop a well-rounded approach that aligns with industry best practices and regulatory requirements by involving key stakeholders, such as IT, legal, and HR departments.

Defining Access Control Measures

Organisations should define access levels and permissions based on job roles and responsibilities, implementing the principle of least privilege. This means granting employees access only to the resources necessary for their job functions. Organisations should regularly review and update access control lists to remove unnecessary requests. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) is also recommended to add an extra layer of security and prevent unauthorised access. Organisations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access and potential data breaches by defining and enforcing access control measures.

Implementing Strong Authentication Mechanisms

Robust authentication mechanisms are essential to verify the identity of users accessing digital resources. Passwords alone are no longer sufficient to protect against sophisticated attacks. Organisations should implement robust authentication methods such as biometrics, hardware tokens, or one-time passwords (OTP) in combination with passwords. Additionally, password management tools and regular password updates should be encouraged. By implementing robust authentication mechanisms, organisations can enhance the security of their digital workforce and protect against unauthorised access attempts.

Securing Digital Infrastructure

Organisations should establish a robust and resilient digital infrastructure that safeguards sensitive information and supports a secure digital workforce. Let us look into the following points that businesses should address when securing digital infrastructure:

Ensuring Network Security

Organisations should implement security layers, including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and network segmentation. Regular network monitoring and analysis help detect and mitigate potential threats promptly. Additionally, establishing secure remote access solutions, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), enhances the security of remote workers and reduces the risk of unauthorised access.

Protecting Data with Encryption

Data encryption plays a vital role in protecting sensitive information from unauthorised access. Organisations should implement robust encryption methods, such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), to safeguard data at rest and in transit. Encryption should be applied to sensitive files, databases, and communication channels. Organisations can add an extra layer of protection by employing encryption techniques, even if data is compromised or intercepted.

Regularly Updating and Patching Systems

Organisations should establish a systematic approach to patch management, ensuring that operating systems, applications, and firmware are updated with the latest security patches. Automated patching tools and processes can streamline this task and minimise the window of exposure to potential exploits. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing can further identify weaknesses and guide the prioritisation of patching efforts.

Importance of Security Testing in Digital Environment

Security testing is crucial in today’s threat landscape, where cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and prevalent. It helps organisations identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the systems, applications, and networks before cybercriminals can exploit them. Organisations can uncover potential entry points and implement security protocols to protect against unauthorised access, data breaches, and other security incidents by conducting security testing.

Types of Security Testing

Various kinds of security testing can be employed to assess and strengthen the security of digital infrastructures:

Vulnerability Assessment

Identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in systems, networks, and applications.

Penetration Testing

Simulating real-world attacks to evaluate the effectiveness of existing security controls and identify areas for improvement.

Security Code Review

Analysing the codebase for security flaws and vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

Security Architecture Review

Evaluating the overall security architecture to identify design flaws and potential vulnerabilities.

Security Configuration Review

Assessing the configuration settings of systems and applications to ensure compliance with security best practices.

Security Compliance Testing

Verifying adherence to industry regulations and standards, such as GDPR or ISO 27001.

Incorporating Security Testing in the Development Lifecycle

By incorporating security testing from the early stages of development, organisations can identify and rectify security issues at the root, avoiding costly fixes and mitigating potential risks. This includes conducting security code reviews, performing vulnerability assessments, and engaging in penetration testing throughout development. Additionally, organisations should establish a culture of continuous testing and security awareness, promoting collaboration between development teams and security experts.

Conclusion

With cyber threats on the rise and sensitive data at risk, organisations must adopt comprehensive security measures to protect their digital assets. By building a strong security culture, establishing robust security policies, and securing the digital infrastructure, businesses can fortify their defences, safeguard valuable information, and foster a culture of security within their workforce. Organisations can build employee, stakeholder, and customer confidence by prioritising a secure digital workforce environment. With proper security testing measures, businesses can protect sensitive data, maintain regulatory compliance, and mitigate the financial and reputational risks associated with data breaches.

Why Choose TestingXperts for Security Testing?

TestingXperts offers a unique combination of expertise, comprehensive services, and a proven track record for securing and validating your digital workforce’s integrity. From their knowledge and experience to their wide range of security testing services, TestingXperts offers various benefits to its clients:

• A dedicated team of skilled professionals specialising in both security testing

• Extensive experience in assessing and fortifying the security and integrity of digital infrastructures

• In-depth knowledge of industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies

• The ability to tailor testing approaches to the specific needs of organisations and their digital workforce

• A comprehensive suite of security testing services covering various aspects of your digital infrastructure

• Services include vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, code reviews, data integrity testing, data validation, and more

• Customised solutions to address unique security testing requirements, ensuring a thorough evaluation and validation process

Contact TestingXperts today to learn more about our comprehensive security testing services and secure your digital workforce.

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Content

In today’s interconnected world, where the flow of information and data between applications is constant, the security of APIs has become a pressing concern. With cyber threats growing in sophistication and frequency, the importance of API security testing cannot be ignored. This is where API security testing becomes essential to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data and resources. 

What is API Security Testing? 

API Security Testing is a crucial component of ensuring the robustness and integrity of APIs. Application Programming Interfaces act as the bridge between different software systems, enabling seamless data exchange. However, they can also become vulnerable entry points for cyber threats if not adequately secured. API Security Testing involves systematically assessing APIs for potential vulnerabilities and implementing measures to protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, injection attacks, and other security risks. 

Through comprehensive testing, organizations can proactively identify and address security loopholes in their APIs. It evaluates authentication and authorization mechanisms, input validation techniques, error handling practices, rate limiting, and other critical aspects. By leveraging advanced tools, methodologies, and industry best practices, API Security Testing helps organizations fortify their APIs and safeguard sensitive data and resources. 

Things to Know About APIs 

Application Programming Interfaces are protocols, tools, and definitions that facilitate communication between software applications. They define how different software components should interact, allowing developers to access specific functionalities or data from external systems or services. APIs enable integration, automation, and collaboration between diverse applications, ultimately enhancing user experiences and enabling the seamless flow of information. Various types of APIs are: 

Web APIs:

They enable communication between web-based applications, allowing developers to access data and functionalities over the internet using standard web protocols such as HTTP and REST. 

Internal APIs:

Also known as private or enterprise APIs, these are designed for internal use within an organization. They enable different teams or systems to interact and share data securely. 

Third-party APIs:

They are provided by external service providers, allowing developers to access their platform’s functionalities or data. Examples include payment gateways, social media APIs, and mapping services. 

Common API Security Risks 

Despite their benefits, APIs can be vulnerable to various security risks. Some common vulnerabilities include: 

Injection Attacks:

APIs can be vulnerable to injection attacks, where malicious code or commands are injected into API requests. This can lead to unauthorized data exposure, compromised systems, or a takeover. 

Broken Authentication and Session Management:

Weak authentication mechanisms, improper session handling, or inadequate access controls can expose APIs to authentication and session-related vulnerabilities. Attackers may exploit these weaknesses to impersonate legitimate users, hijack sessions, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. 

Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR):

APIs that expose internal references, such as database IDs or file paths, without proper authorization checks can be prone to IDOR vulnerabilities. Attackers can manipulate these references to access unauthorized resources or sensitive information. 

Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks:

APIs can be targeted with DoS attacks, where attackers overwhelm the API infrastructure with a flood of requests, rendering the API unresponsive or unavailable. This disrupts services, impacts user experience, and potentially leads to financial losses. 

Preparing for API Security Testing 

Ensuring the security of APIs is crucial to protect sensitive data and prevent potential breaches. API security testing plays a vital role in identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in API implementations. Following are some pointers to consider when preparing for API security testing: 

Setting up the Testing Environment 

Establishing a robust testing environment that closely resembles the production environment is essential. Here are key considerations: 

Isolate the Testing Environment:

Create a separate, isolated environment dedicated explicitly to API security testing. This prevents any accidental impact on the production systems and ensures a controlled testing environment. 

Replicate Production Configuration:

Replicate the configuration of the production environment as closely as possible, including the server setup, network architecture, and infrastructure components. This ensures that the security tests accurately reflect real-world scenarios. 

Utilize Virtualization or Containerization:

Leverage virtualization technologies like virtual machines or containerization platforms (e.g., Docker) to create a scalable and reproducible testing environment. This enables the easy setup of multiple testing instances and facilitates efficient testing of different API configurations. 

Identifying the Scope of Testing 

Defining the scope of API security testing is vital to ensure focused efforts and comprehensive coverage. Consider the following factors: 

APIs and Endpoints:

Determine which APIs and specific endpoints will be included in the testing. It’s essential to consider internal and external-facing APIs and any public APIs that may expose sensitive data or critical functionalities. 

Authentication and Authorization Mechanisms:

Assess the APIs’ various authentication and authorization mechanisms. Include scenarios like API keys, tokens, or user credentials to evaluate the security measures thoroughly. 

Data Validation and Input Handling:

Analyze how APIs handle data validation and input handling. Assess how they respond to input formats, including invalid or unexpected data. Pay special attention to potential injection vulnerabilities. 

Error Handling and Exception Management:

Evaluate how APIs handle errors and exceptions. Test their response to different error conditions and ensure that sensitive information is not leaked in error messages. 

Gathering Necessary Tools and Resources 

Equipping your API security testing efforts with the right tools and resources is essential for effective testing. Consider the following: 

API Testing Tools:

Explore and select appropriate API testing tools that support security testing, such as OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, or Postman. These tools offer features like vulnerability scanning, fuzz testing, and API traffic interception for comprehensive testing. 

Security Testing Frameworks:

Familiarize yourself with security testing frameworks, such as the OWASP API Security Top 10, which guides the most critical API security risks. These frameworks serve as invaluable references throughout the testing process. 

Documentation and Specifications:

Obtain the API documentation, specifications, and relevant security requirements. Thoroughly review them to understand the expected behavior, expected security measures, and any specific test cases. 

Security Testing Checklist:

Develop a comprehensive security testing checklist encompassing various aspects of API security, including authentication, authorization, input validation, error handling, and encryption. This checklist will serve as a roadmap for your testing efforts. 

Steps to Follow for API Security Testing 

As the importance of robust API security continues to grow, organizations must conduct thorough and systematic security testing to identify vulnerabilities and mitigate risks. Following are the steps to follow when implementing API security testing: 

Step 1: Understanding API Endpoints 

API endpoints serve as the entry points for interactions with an API. To conduct effective security testing: 

Define API Endpoints:

Identify and document all API endpoints. Categorize them based on functionality, sensitivity, and potential security risks. 

Identify Sensitive Endpoints and Vulnerabilities:

Determine which endpoints handle sensitive data, perform critical operations, or involve user authentication. These endpoints may be more prone to security vulnerabilities and require rigorous testing. 

Map API Endpoints:

Create a comprehensive map of API endpoints, including the request and response types, expected behavior, and associated security controls. This map will serve as a reference during testing to ensure thorough coverage. 

Step 2: Authentication and Authorization Testing 

Authentication and authorization mechanisms play a vital role in securing APIs. When testing, consider the following: 

Evaluate Authentication Effectiveness:

Assess the strength and effectiveness of authentication mechanisms, such as API keys, tokens, or multifactor authentication. Verify that only authenticated users can access protected resources. 

Examine Authorization Controls:

Test the authorization controls to ensure only authorized users or roles can perform specific actions. Pay attention to privilege escalation risks, such as bypassing authorization checks or gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data. 

Test for Improper Access Controls:

Identify potential security misconfigurations or improper access controls that may allow unauthorized access to sensitive endpoints or operations. Thoroughly examine access control rules and configurations. 

Step 3: Input Validation and Data Integrity 

Proper input validation is crucial for preventing injection attacks and maintaining data integrity. During testing: 

Analyze Input Validation Techniques:

Evaluate how the API handles input validation to prevent common vulnerabilities like SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), or XML External Entity (XXE) attacks. Test for both expected and unexpected input scenarios. 

Ensure Data Integrity:

Verify that the API performs proper validation, sanitization, and encoding of user-supplied data to prevent data corruption or tampering. Validate the integrity of data transmitted between the client and server. 

Test for Data Leakage and Exposure Risks:

Identify potential data leakages risks, such as inadvertently disclosing sensitive information in responses or error messages. Test for scenarios where sensitive data may be unintentionally exposed. 

Step 4: Error Handling and Exception Management 

Proper error handling and exception management improve an API’s overall security and robustness. When conducting testing: 

Assess Error Handling Mechanisms:

Evaluate how the API handles errors and exceptions. Test for proper error codes, informative messages, and appropriate logging practices. 

Test for Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities:

Look for potential information disclosure vulnerabilities in error responses or stack traces. Ensure that error messages do not expose sensitive information that could aid attackers. 

Evaluate Exception Management Practices:

Assess how the API handles unexpected situations, such as unhandled exceptions or denial-of-service attacks. Verify that the API gracefully handles exceptions and does not expose system vulnerabilities. 

Step 5: Rate-limiting and Throttling 

Rate limiting and throttling mechanisms protect APIs against abuse and denial-of-service attacks. During testing: 

Understand the Importance of Rate Limiting:

Recognize the significance of rate limiting and throttling to prevent abuse, brute-force attacks, or DoS scenarios. Familiarize yourself with industry best practices. 

Test for Bypassing Rate Limits:

Attempt to bypass rate limits and verify if the API enforces them consistently. Check for potential vulnerabilities that allow attackers to circumvent rate limits and overload the system. 

Verify Effectiveness of Rate-limiting Mechanisms:

Test the API under various load conditions to ensure that rate-limiting and throttling mechanisms function as expected. Measure the API’s response time and stability during high-volume traffic. 

Step 6: API Abuse and Security Testing Automation 

Leverage automation techniques for API security testing to maximize efficiency and coverage. When testing, consider the following: 

Explore Techniques to Identify and Prevent API Abuse:

Learn about common API abuse scenarios, such as parameter tampering, replay attacks, or API key exposure. Develop test cases to identify and mitigate these risks. 

Implement Automated Security Testing:

Utilize automated tools and frameworks, such as OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite, to streamline security testing efforts. Automate vulnerability scanning, fuzz testing, and security checks to achieve comprehensive coverage. 

Leverage Tools and Frameworks:

Leverage open-source tools and frameworks tailored for API security testing. These resources provide a wealth of knowledge, best practices, and test scripts to enhance the effectiveness of your testing efforts. 

Best Practices for API Security Testing 

To achieve robust security, it’s crucial to follow best practices that align with industry standards, stay updated on evolving threats, and adopt continuous monitoring and retesting: 

Following Industry Standards and Guidelines:

To ensure robust API security, it is vital to follow industry standards and guidelines. These standards provide a framework for implementing adequate security controls and mitigating common vulnerabilities. By adhering to these standards, organizations can align their security practices with industry best practices and reduce the risk of potential breaches. 

Keeping Up with Evolving Threats and Security Practices:

It is another critical aspect of API security. The threat landscape constantly evolves, with new attack vectors and techniques emerging regularly. Staying updated on the latest threats allows organizations to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively before they can be exploited. By actively participating in security communities, attending conferences, and leveraging threat intelligence sources, organizations can stay one step ahead of attackers and implement timely security measures. 

Continuous Monitoring and Retesting for Ongoing Security:

These are essential for maintaining ongoing security. It is not enough to perform security testing once and consider the job done. APIs and their associated threats evolve. Organizations can detect and respond to potential security incidents in real-time by implementing continuous monitoring. Additionally, regular retesting helps identify new vulnerabilities that may have been introduced due to system updates or changes in the threat landscape. This iterative approach ensures that APIs remain secure and protected against emerging risks. 

Conclusion 

API security testing is crucial to safeguard the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of data exchanged through APIs. Organizations can identify and address vulnerabilities in their APIs by following a comprehensive step-by-step guide. As technology evolves, staying updated and adapting security practices is essential to ensure robust API security. 

How Can TestingXperts Help with API Security Testing? 

At TestingXperts, we understand the significance of API security testing and offer comprehensive solutions to help organizations identify and mitigate potential risks. Our experienced team of testers and security professionals specializes in API security testing, utilizing industry-leading tools and methodologies. Our services include: 

Comprehensive API Security Assessments:

Our experts perform in-depth assessments of your APIs, examining all critical components for potential vulnerabilities. We thoroughly analyze authentication and authorization mechanisms, input validation techniques, error-handling practices, and rate-limiting mechanisms. 

Realistic Testing Environment:

We create a controlled testing environment that simulates real-world scenarios while minimizing the impact on your live systems. This ensures accurate assessments without disrupting your production environment. 

Customized Scope and Coverage:

We work closely with you to define the scope of testing based on your specific requirements. Our team examines all relevant API endpoints and functionalities, leaving no loophole in identifying potential vulnerabilities. 

Automation for Efficiency:

We use cutting-edge automation tools and frameworks to enhance testing efficiency and coverage. This allows us to conduct comprehensive assessments while reducing manual effort and maximizing accuracy.

Whether it’s setting up the testing environment, conducting thorough assessments, or providing actionable remediation strategies, TestingXperts can assist you in ensuring the security of your APIs. Contact us today to learn more about our API security testing services and how we can support your organization. 

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Content 1. An Overview of the Digital Immune System 2. Why Are Digital Businesses in Need of Digital Immunity? 3. Significance of Digital Immune Systems 4. Setting up a Digital Immune System – Key Considerations 5. Key Aspects of a Digital Immune System 6. Conclusion

An Overview of the Digital Immune System

In today’s digital age, our reliance on technology has increased significantly. As a result, the threat landscape has also evolved. Just as our bodies have an immune system to protect us from viruses and other harmful intruders, our digital world needs a similar defense mechanism. This is where the concept of a digital immune system comes in.

One of the main aspects of a digital immune system is a collection of security technologies and processes that work together to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber-attacks. Similar to how our immune system adapts to new threats and develops immunity, a digital immune system uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze data and learn from previous attacks to improve its defenses. It is an essential component of any organization’s digital defense strategy, helping to safeguard sensitive data and critical infrastructure.

The digital immune system comprises several layers of defense, starting from the network perimeter and extending to the core of the system. It includes various security mechanisms such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, antivirus software, and security information and event management systems. These security mechanisms work together to monitor and analyze network traffic, detect suspicious activity, and prevent or mitigate potential threats.

Why Are Digital Businesses in Need of Digital Immunity?

As businesses increasingly rely on digital technologies to run their operations, they are exposed to a growing array of cyber threats. Hackers, cybercriminals, and other bad actors are constantly developing new methods to breach digital defenses and steal valuable data, disrupt operations, or cause other forms of harm. In this context, digital immunity refers to the ability of a business to protect itself from these threats and maintain its operations even in the face of attacks.

Digital immunity is particularly important for digital businesses, which rely on digital technologies to deliver their products and services. These businesses are often more vulnerable to cyber threats than traditional brick-and-mortar companies, as they have more digital touchpoints with customers and store valuable data in digital formats.

To achieve digital immunity, businesses need to implement a range of measures to protect their digital assets and operations. This can include implementing strong passwords and access controls, using encryption to protect sensitive data, regularly updating software and systems, monitoring networks for suspicious activity, and training employees on how to identify and respond to cyber threats.

Evidently, achieving digital immunity is a critical priority for digital businesses that want to protect themselves from the growing array of cyber threats in today’s digital landscape. By taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity, these businesses can help ensure their long-term success and protect their customers’ trust and privacy.

Significance of Digital Immune Systems

Here are the key significance of digital immune systems:

Threat Detection and Response:

Digital immune systems are crucial in detecting cyber threats and providing immediate responses to them. By analyzing network activity and user behavior, these systems can quickly identify and mitigate threats, preventing further damage to systems and data.

Protection of Data and Privacy:

Digital immune systems help protect sensitive data by monitoring all activity across the network and identifying unusual behavior. This ensures that data is secure and not accessed by unauthorized individuals.

Enhanced Visibility:

With digital immune systems, organizations have increased visibility into their network, providing valuable insights into security threats and risks. This allows for proactive measures to be taken to prevent attacks before they occur.

Cost Savings:

Digital immune systems can save organizations significant amounts of money by preventing cyber-attacks and reducing the costs associated with remediation efforts.

Compliance and Regulations:

With the increasing number of regulations around data privacy and security, digital immune systems are necessary for organizations to comply with these regulations. These systems help organizations avoid costly fines and reputational damage that can result from non-compliance.

Reputation Management:

In the digital age, reputation is everything. Digital immune systems help organizations protect their reputation by detecting and responding to threats before they can do damage to an organization’s reputation.

Business Continuity:

Cyber-attacks can result in significant downtime for organizations, leading to lost revenue and productivity. Digital immune systems help ensure business continuity by preventing attacks and quickly responding to any incidents that do occur.

Digital immune systems play a critical role in protecting organizations from cyber threats. By providing threat detection and response, protecting data and privacy, enhancing visibility, and saving costs, these systems are essential for any organization looking to protect itself in the digital age.

Setting up a Digital Immune System – Key Considerations

As technology evolves, the need for organizations to establish a digital immune system becomes increasingly important. Hence, it is crucial for organizations to consider the following key considerations while setting up their digital immune system:

Threat Intelligence:

An effective digital immune system should have a solid threat intelligence system that identifies and analyzes potential threats to digital assets.

Access Control:

Organizations need to ensure that access to digital assets is granted only to authorized personnel. This involves implementing multi-factor authentication, password policies, and role-based access control.

Encryption:

Encryption is a critical component of a digital immune system as it ensures that data transmitted and stored is secure and protected from unauthorized access.

Network Security:

The organization’s network must be secure to prevent malicious actors from accessing it. This can be achieved by implementing firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and network segmentation.

Incident Response Plan:

The organization should have a well-defined incident response plan that outlines the procedures to follow in case of a security breach or cyber-attack.

Regular Testing:

Organizations should regularly test their digital immune system to identify any weaknesses or vulnerabilities. This can be done through penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and security assessments.

User Education:

Organizations should educate their employees on security best practices to prevent them from inadvertently exposing the organization to cyber threats.

Patch Management:

It is essential to keep all software and systems up-to-date with the latest security patches to address known vulnerabilities.

Data Backup and Recovery:

A digital immune system should have a robust data backup and recovery system that ensures the organization can recover from a cyber-attack or breach.

Compliance:

Organizations need to ensure that their digital immune system complies with relevant regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

A robust digital immune system is essential for organizations to protect their digital assets from cyber threats and attacks. The above key considerations are crucial for organizations to consider while setting up their digital immune system. By implementing these measures, organizations can minimize the risk of a security breach or cyber-attack and safeguard their digital assets.

Key Aspects of a Digital Immune System

A digital immune system is a set of technologies, processes, and protocols designed to protect digital assets from cyber threats. Some key aspects of a digital immune system include:

Threat Intelligence:

The ability to gather and analyze data from various sources to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities.

Security Operations Center (SOC):

A centralized unit responsible for monitoring, detecting, analyzing, and responding to security incidents.

Incident Response Plan (IRP):

A pre-defined set of procedures and protocols to follow in the event of a security breach.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM):

A system that collects and analyzes security-related data from multiple sources to detect and respond to potential security incidents.

Vulnerability Management:

A process of identifying, prioritizing, and addressing vulnerabilities in software, hardware, and networks.

Identity and Access Management (IAM):

A framework of policies and technologies that ensure only authorized users have access to digital assets.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP):

A set of technologies and policies that prevent the loss or theft of sensitive data.

Security Training and Awareness:

Ongoing education and training programs for employees to promote good security hygiene and awareness.

Threat Hunting:

Proactive searching for potential security threats in digital assets and networks.

Security Testing and Assessment:

Regular testing and assessment of the effectiveness of security measures and processes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a digital immune system is a critical defense mechanism that helps organizations proactively identify and respond to cyber threats. As cyber threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, having a robust digital immune system in place is becoming increasingly important. By leveraging advanced technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, organizations can better detect and respond to potential threats before they cause significant damage. As we move forward into an increasingly digital age, it is crucial for organizations to prioritize the development and implementation of a strong digital immune system to protect their critical assets and data.

The post Digital Immune System: Why Organizations Should Adopt This Line of Defense? first appeared on TestingXperts.

Content 1. An Overview of Network Security Testing in Fintech 2. The State of Fintech Cybersecurity in 2023 3. Key Challenges of Network Security Testing in Fintech 4. Overcoming the Network Security Testing Challenges in Fintech 5. Conclusion 6. How TestingXperts Helps Fintech Businesses with Network Security Testing?

An Overview of Network Security Testing in Fintech

Network security testing is a crucial aspect of fintech operations, as the industry deals with sensitive financial information and requires the highest level of security. Network security testing involves testing the security measures put in place to safeguard networks, systems, and applications from unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and other security breaches.

Fintech companies need to conduct comprehensive security testing to identify vulnerabilities in their networks and systems and proactively mitigate them. Some of the common network security testing methods used in fintech include penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and network secure configuration review.

Fintech companies should also perform regular security audits and compliance checks to ensure their security measures comply with relevant regulations and standards. Network security testing is an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring and updating of security measures to keep up with evolving cyber threats.

The State of Fintech Cybersecurity in 2023

As of 2023, the state of Fintech cybersecurity remains a significant concern for both financial institutions and customers alike. Despite efforts to enhance security measures, cybercriminals continue to develop new and sophisticated methods to exploit vulnerabilities and gain access to sensitive financial information.

One of the primary challenges in Fintech cybersecurity is the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks. Hackers are using advanced techniques such as social engineering, phishing, and ransomware attacks to breach financial institutions’ systems and networks. Moreover, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have presented new opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit security weaknesses in the Fintech industry.

To counter these threats, Fintech organizations should are continually investing in cybersecurity measures such as multi-factor authentication, biometric authentication, and encryption technologies. However, these measures alone are not enough, and there is a growing need for collaboration between financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and technology providers to develop comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks.

Regulatory bodies are also stepping up their efforts to ensure that Fintech companies comply with cybersecurity standards. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the United States California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) are just two examples of regulations that are holding Fintech companies accountable for safeguarding customer data.

It is evident that the state of Fintech cybersecurity in 2023 remains a critical concern for the financial industry. While significant strides have been made in enhancing security measures, cybercriminals’ increasing sophistication necessitates ongoing investment in cybersecurity and collaboration between financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and technology providers to develop comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks.

Key Challenges of Network Security Testing in Fintech

Network security testing is a critical aspect of maintaining the security and integrity of financial technology (fintech) systems. However, there are several key challenges that fintech companies face when it comes to network security testing. Here are some of the most significant challenges:

The Complexity of Fintech Systems:

Fintech systems are complex and often include numerous interconnected applications and services, making it difficult to test them comprehensively. Additionally, the introduction of new technologies and the constant evolution of existing systems create further complexity, making it hard to keep up with the latest security threats and vulnerabilities.

Compliance with Regulatory Standards:

Fintech companies must adhere to strict regulatory standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Ensuring compliance with these regulations is a significant challenge for network security testing, as failing to meet these standards can result in hefty fines, legal liability, and reputational damage.

Lack of Skilled Professionals:

There is a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, and this shortage is especially prevalent in the fintech industry. As a result, fintech companies often struggle to hire and retain qualified security testers with the necessary skills and expertise to conduct effective network security testing.

Rapid Changes in Technology:

Fintech systems are constantly evolving, with new technologies being introduced regularly. This can make it difficult for security testers to keep up with the latest threats and vulnerabilities, as well as the latest tools and techniques used to exploit them.

Cost Constraints:

Fintech companies often operate on tight budgets, and security testing can be expensive. This can make it challenging to allocate sufficient resources to conduct thorough network security testing, especially when there are competing priorities.

Overall, network security testing is essential for fintech companies to maintain the security and trust of their customers. Addressing these challenges requires a proactive approach that prioritizes security and invests in the necessary resources and expertise to mitigate these risks effectively.

Overcoming the Network Security Testing Challenges in Fintech

Have a structured QA approach:

To overcome the complexity of Fintech systems, it is essential to have a structured approach to network security testing. A thorough understanding of the Fintech system’s architecture, protocols, and data flow is necessary. Utilizing automated tools and techniques for testing can help in identifying vulnerabilities and potential threats. Conducting regular penetration testing, security audits, and risk assessments can aid in mitigating risks associated with complex Fintech systems.

Understand the regulatory requirements:

To overcome the challenge of compliance with regulatory standards, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the specific regulatory requirements applicable to the Fintech industry. Engaging with regulatory bodies and compliance experts can help in ensuring that the Fintech systems adhere to the regulatory standards. Regular testing and audits can help in identifying areas of non-compliance and help in addressing them proactively.

Onboard a specialized cybersecurity services provider:

To overcome the challenge of a lack of skilled professionals, organizations can invest in training and development programs for existing staff. Partnering with specialized cybersecurity service providers can help in accessing the necessary expertise and resources. Utilizing automated tools and technologies for testing can help in reducing the dependency on skilled professionals.

Follow an agile approach to security testing:

To overcome the challenge of rapid changes in technology, organizations can adopt an agile approach to security testing. Regular updates and upgrades to security protocols, tools, and techniques can help in keeping up with the changes in technology. Collaborating with technology vendors and security experts can aid in identifying emerging threats and potential vulnerabilities.

Analyze risk and impact:

To overcome the challenge of cost constraints, prioritize security testing based on risk and impact. Utilize cost-effective testing methodologies such as automation. Invest in preventative measures such as secure coding practices to reduce the cost of testing.

Conclusion

In today’s digital age, where the financial industry is increasingly relying on technology, network security testing has become a necessity. Network security testing provides a proactive approach to identifying vulnerabilities and potential threats, which helps to prevent cyber-attacks and data breaches. Fintech companies must prioritize security testing to ensure they are providing a safe and secure environment for their clients. The ever-evolving threat landscape and the sensitive nature of financial data make it imperative for fintech companies to invest in robust security measures.

Through regular security testing, fintech companies can identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by cybercriminals. This not only protects sensitive financial information but also helps to maintain the trust of customers, partners, and stakeholders. Ultimately, investing in network security testing is an investment in the long-term success of a fintech business.

How TestingXperts Helps Fintech Businesses with Network Security Testing?

TestingXperts (Tx) is one of the 5 largest pure-play software testing services providers globally. Tx has been chosen as a trusted QA partner by Fortune clients and ensures superior testing outcomes for its global clientele. We have rich expertise in enabling end-to-end testing services for global clients across various industry domains like healthcare, telecom, BFSI, retail & eCommerce, etc. With our domain knowledge and with over a decade of pure play testing experience, the company has been serving the global clientele with high-quality next-gen testing services to deliver superior solutions to clients.

Our team of experienced security professionals has extensive knowledge of fintech industry standards and regulations, and we use that knowledge to tailor our services to meet your specific needs. We provide network security testing services that are designed to test and evaluate the security of your organization’s infrastructure, systems, and applications.

We utilize the latest tools and techniques to simulate real-world cyber-attacks and identify vulnerabilities in your network. Our testing includes penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and security audits. We work with you to identify the most appropriate testing methodology for your organization and provide detailed reports outlining our findings and remediation recommendations.

Our approach to network security testing is based on a deep understanding of the challenges and risks faced by fintech companies. We prioritize the confidentiality and integrity of your data and systems and work to ensure that your organization is compliant with industry standards and regulations.

Our Network Security Testing Services Include:

Vulnerability Assessment:

We use automated tools and manual testing to identify vulnerabilities in your network and applications. We then provide a detailed report outlining our findings and recommendations for remediation.

Penetration Testing:

Our experienced security professionals simulate real-world cyber-attacks to identify vulnerabilities in your network and systems. We then provide detailed reports outlining our findings and recommendations for remediation.

Security Audit:

We review your organization’s security policies, procedures, and controls to ensure that they meet industry standards and regulations. We then provide a detailed report outlining our findings and recommendations for improvement.

Threat Modeling:

We proactively identify potential threats and vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Our experts will work with you to create a comprehensive model that includes all potential threats and attack vectors, helping you build a robust security system that can withstand any attack.

Comprehensive Reporting:

We provide a detailed report outlining the vulnerabilities and risks we have identified, along with recommendations on how to fix them. We also provide ongoing support to ensure your security remains strong in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats.

The post Network Security Testing in Fintech: Challenges and Solutions first appeared on TestingXperts.

Content 1. An Overview of Dynamic Application Security Testing 2. Importance of DAST 3. How does DAST Work? 4. What Business Problems Does DAST Solve? 6. DAST – A Key Pillar to App Security 7. Conclusion 8. How TestingXperts Helps Businesses with Security Testing?

An Overview of Dynamic Application Security Testing

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is an automated security testing technique used to detect and identify vulnerabilities in applications. It is a black box testing technique that examines the application from the outside without having access to its source code or internal architecture. DAST sends malicious requests to the application and then analyzes the responses for potential vulnerabilities.

The goal of DAST is to uncover security flaws that attackers could exploit, such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and insecure authentication mechanisms. By finding these issues early in the development process, organizations can take steps to prevent them from becoming major security incidents later on.

Importance of DAST

DAST is essential for organizations to protect their applications from malicious attacks and data breaches. DAST can detect vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and buffer overflows. It can also detect weaknesses in authentication and authorization mechanisms and insecure configurations that could lead to unauthorized access or data leakage.

By leveraging DAST, organizations are able to uplift their existing security strategy because it helps identify potential weaknesses before attackers exploit them. Organizations can proactively scan for vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents. Moreover, DAST can help organizations comply with various industry regulations and standards that require regular security assessments of web applications and services.

How Does DAST Work?

The typical DAST process involves scanning applications for vulnerabilities using automated tools or manual techniques. Automated tools are typically used to detect common flaws quickly and accurately, while manual methods are used to identify more complex issues. The results of these scans can then be analyzed, and the appropriate steps are taken to mitigate any identified risks.

Once the scan is complete, it is essential to review the results carefully to understand the scope of the issue and determine what action should be taken to address it. This may include patching vulnerable code, implementing additional security controls, or introducing additional training for developers and administrators. It is also essential to periodically re-scan applications to ensure that any new vulnerabilities have been identified and addressed appropriately.

What Business Problems Does DAST Solve?

DAST helps businesses protect their applications from cyber threats by identifying weaknesses that attackers could exploit. DAST can also help organizations comply with industry regulations, such as PCI DSS or HIPAA, which require specific security measures for web applications. Additionally, DAST can provide valuable insights into an organization’s overall security posture and help them make informed decisions about protecting their data and systems.

By scanning for known vulnerabilities and malicious activity, DAST can help businesses detect and respond to cyber threats before they cause significant damage. It can also provide visibility into areas of risk that may need to be identified through traditional security measures. Finally, using DAST can reduce the time required to investigate potential breaches since it will already determine potential risks before they become actual problems.

How Does DAST Differ from Other Security Testing Methods?

DAST is different from other security testing methods, such as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), which analyzes the source code of an application to identify any potential issues. DAST is also distinct from penetration testing, which attempts to exploit known vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive information or resources.

Unlike SAST, DAST does not require access to the source code or knowledge of the application’s architecture to perform tests. Instead, it relies on scanning the application while running to detect any potential vulnerabilities.

This makes DAST ideal for web-based applications, as it can be used without requiring access to the underlying infrastructure or codebase. Additionally, DAST can be used to quickly identify newly introduced vulnerabilities that may have been missed during earlier stages of development.

DAST – A Key Pillar to App Security

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is a critical pillar in application security because it helps identify vulnerabilities in web applications by simulating attacks on running applications. DAST is an essential component of the software development lifecycle, helping to ensure that applications are secure and can withstand attacks from malicious actors.

Here are some of the reasons why DAST is considered a key pillar in application security:

DAST Helps Identify Vulnerabilities:

DAST tools are designed to simulate real-world attacks on web applications, which helps identify vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. Security teams can detect security weaknesses and prioritize their remediation efforts by running DAST scans.

DAST is Easy to Use:

DAST tools can be easily integrated into the software development lifecycle, making them an accessible and effective solution for identifying vulnerabilities.

DAST Provides Actionable Results:

DAST tools provide actionable results that can be used to remediate vulnerabilities quickly. These results often include detailed information about the vulnerability, including how it can be exploited, as well as recommendations for how to fix the issue.

DAST Helps Ensure Compliance:

Many compliance regulations, such as PCI DSS, require organizations to perform regular security testing on their web applications. DAST is an effective way to meet these compliance requirements and ensure that web applications are secure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, DAST is a key pillar in application security because it helps identify vulnerabilities in web applications, is easy to use, provides actionable results, and helps ensure compliance with regulations. Organizations can better protect their web applications from security threats by using DAST as part of an overall application security strategy.

How TestingXperts Helps Businesses with Security Testing?

TestingXperts (Tx) is one of the Top 5 pure-play software testing services providers globally. Tx has been chosen as a trusted QA partner by Fortune clients and ensures superior testing outcomes for its global clientele. We have rich expertise in enabling end-to-end testing services for global clients across various industry domains like healthcare, telecom, BFSI, retail & eCommerce, etc.

With our domain knowledge and with over a decade of pure play testing experience, the company has been serving the global clientele with high-quality next-gen testing services to deliver superior solutions to clients.

Our team of Certified Ethical Hackers (CEHs) ensures that your application is secure from vulnerabilities and meets the stated security requirements, such as confidentiality, authorization, authentication, availability, and integrity. Teams have more than ten years of expertise in assessing various applications for security threats and ensuring rigorous application testing for all possible threats and vulnerabilities.

TestingXperts Test Center of Excellence (TCoE) has developed Tx-PEARS –’ A holistic framework for enabling non-functional testing requirements quickly and effectively in one go. Tx-PEARS stands for Performance Engineering, Accessibility, Resiliency, & Security – Delivers innovative services in managing Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs) that help customers drive better value for their businesses with scalable and robust solutions enabling great CX.

Benefits for Businesses Leveraging Tx-PEARS

• 80-90% time saved during the planning phase as ready-to-use accelerators embedded in Tx-PEARS framework helps to jumpstart testing engagements.

• Conformance with international standards and compliance, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, OSSTMM, OWASP, SANS, NIST, and others.

• Provides scalability and resiliency to applications deployed on the cloud and on-premise.

• Proactively addresses application NFRs and covers both application and infrastructure stack.

• Less code to develop and maintain as accelerators have all the required features for ensuring quicker testing outcomes.

• Helps to analyze application architecture and design to identify potential fault areas and recommend the right design patterns (e.g., circuit breakers, bulkheads, etc.)

• Executes resilience validations to understand application and infrastructure resilience.

• Analyzes monitoring and operational processes and suggests modifications to improve resilience (build self-detecting and self-healing capabilities).

• Provides Application Performance Capacity Management and Production Stability Improvement services in one go.

• Ensures equal access to apps for all people, including people with disabilities like color blindness, motor impairment, mobility impairment, etc.

• Helps to build quality gates from an NFT perspective.

• Helps in enabling an application to be fault-tolerant, reduce latency, and make it load tolerant.

• Ensures business continuity even during sub-system/component failures.

• Helps to cut down QA costs by 40%.

• Save around 55% on the total cost of ownership

The post Dynamic Application Security Testing – A Key Pillar to App Security first appeared on TestingXperts.

]]> https://www.testingxperts.com/blog/web-application-security-testing?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-application-security-testing-an-informative-guide-for-beginners Tue, 17 Jan 2023 16:06:24 +0000 https://www.testingxperts.com/?p=26866

Web application security testing helps to identify, prevent, and mitigate security vulnerabilities in web applications. Our latest blog discusses the importance, business benefits, software testing types, and tools for performing web app security testing. Read the blog for complete information.

The post Web Application Security Testing – An Informative Guide for Beginners first appeared on TestingXperts.

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Content 1. What is Web Application Security Testing? 2. Need for Web Application Security Testing 3. Business Benefits of Web App Security Testing 4. Different Software Testing Types for Web Application Security Testing 5. Web App Security Testing-Common Use Cases 6. Trending Web Application Security Testing Tools in 2023 7. Conclusion 8. How can TestingXperts Help?

What is Web Application Security Testing?

Web application security testing is a process of identifying, preventing, and mitigating security vulnerabilities in web applications. It involves assessing the security of web applications by examining their code, architecture, and deployment environment. Web application security testing can be conducted manually or using automated tools to identify potential security risks such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, buffer overflow, and malicious file execution.

The goal of web application security testing is to ensure that web applications are secure and do not contain any exploitable vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches or other malicious attacks. Additionally, web application security testing helps organizations comply with industry regulations and standards such as PCI DSS and HIPAA.

Need for Web Application Security Testing

Web application security testing is an important part of any organization’s overall security strategy. As more and more businesses move to the cloud, they must have a secure web application to protect their data and ensure compliance with industry regulations. Web applications can be vulnerable to malicious attacks, so organizations need to test them regularly and take steps to protect them from potential threats.

The need for web application security testing arises from the fact that web applications are exposed to public networks and can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection. This means that attackers can easily exploit vulnerabilities in these applications and gain access to sensitive information or disrupt operations. Additionally, web applications are often used as entry points into other systems, such as databases or servers, which can lead to further damage if not properly secured. We have discussed the importance of web application security testing in our comprehensive security testing guide.

Overall, web application security testing is critical for any organization looking to protect its data and comply with industry regulations. By performing regular tests on their web applications, organizations can identify potential vulnerabilities early on and take steps to mitigate them before it’s too late.

Business Benefits of Web App Security Testing

Improved Security:

Web application security testing helps identify existing and potential vulnerabilities in the system, allowing businesses to take proactive steps to mitigate risks. This can reduce the likelihood of costly data breaches and other malicious attacks.

Enhanced Reputation:

Customers trust businesses that prioritize security, so by testing web applications regularly, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to protecting customers’ data and maintaining a positive reputation.

Cost Savings:

By detecting potential problems early on, businesses can save money by avoiding expensive repairs or replacements due to malicious attacks or data breaches. Additionally, web application security testing helps organizations comply with industry regulations, which could result in significant fines in the case of non-compliance.

Improved Performance:

Regularly testing web applications can help identify areas where performance is lagging, or inefficient processes exist that are causing delays or errors. This allows businesses to make necessary changes that improve overall performance and user experience.

Increased Efficiency:

By identifying any weak points in the system, web application security testing helps businesses streamline processes and increase efficiency across the organization by eliminating unnecessary steps or redundant tasks.

Different Software Testing Types for Web Application Security Testing

Static Application Security Testing (SAST):

This testing type is White Box Testing, which enables developers to identify security vulnerabilities in the source code of an application during the early stages of the software development life cycle. Through this method, it can be ensured that the application adheres to coding guidelines and standards.

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST):

This technique involves injecting malicious data into the software to simulate SQL injection and XSS attacks, with the goal of uncovering common security vulnerabilities. It is a black box or grey box security testing method which enables testers to identify potential weaknesses in web applications.

Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST):

It is a combination of both the SAST and DAST technique wherein an IAST agent is placed within an application that performs the analysis of the app in real-time. A large pool of Certified Ethical Hackers (CEHs) with years of expertise in delivering security testing services vulnerabilities to clients across domains.

Vulnerability Scanning:

In this testing process, automated software is utilized to examine vulnerabilities in the application. It analyzes web apps to perform vulnerability assesment for cross-site scripting, command injections, etc.

Security Audit/Review:

It is a cybersecurity testing approach that should be conducted on a regular basis. It enables digital businesses to assess the existing security status of their app by identifying vulnerabilities and security issues. It can either be accomplished manually or through automated testing tools.

Penetration Testing:

Penetration testing (or pen testing) is a security testing procedure where an authorized cyber-security expert tries to find and exploit vulnerabilities in an application. Penetration testing types are – Internal, External, BlackBox, and GreyBox.

Red Teaming:

It is a more comprehensive characterization of penetration testing where the internal or external group of security professionals simulate real-time attacks on the business. The security experts evaluate the infrastructure without any initial knowledge. The exhaustive evaluation is based on integrating various security controls of the organization.

Web App Security Testing-Common Use Cases

• Passwords must be encrypted

• Invalid users should not have access to the web app

• Browser back button should be non-functional on finance-based web apps

Trending Web Application Security Testing Tools in 2023

Burp Suite Professional:

Burp Suite is a comprehensive security testing platform with a popular feature of test automation that displays fewer false alarms. It is straightforward to set up and use, with the passive scan function enabling the capture of most sections of an object that may be overlooked. The Goals and scopes of security testing can be easily established with Burp Suite.

Veracode:

Veracode facilitates identifying and resolving security vulnerabilities in software. The tool enables a thorough evaluation of applications across the organization, including internally developed programs and external libraries. Developers can evaluate potential purchases, detect flaws in applications used with partners, and assess code that could be obtained through a prospective merger. Remediation reports prioritize flaws and repairs based on business goals and risk levels to optimize expenditure on software assurance.

Acunetix:

It is a comprehensive and effective solution for website, web application, and API security. It has the capability to detect over 4500 web vulnerabilities such as Cross Site Scripting (XSS) and SQL injection. Acunetix’s DeepScan Crawler can scan HTML5 sites and AJAX-based client-side SPAs.

Fortify:

Fortify Static Code Analysis (SCA) is a software security testing solution utilized by development teams and security experts to assess source code for potential vulnerabilities. It provides an analysis of the code and assists developers in recognizing, prioritizing, and resolving issues with greater efficiency.

OWASP ZAP:

It is an open-source pen-testing tool by OWASP which is particularly developed for testing flexible and extensible features of web apps.

OWASP Dependency Track:

The tool assists testers in visualizing and monitoring software components and libraries. OWASP Dependency Track enables testers to obtain a list of all current libraries and manage reported results. It is an open-source platform for component analysis which helps identify and reduce risks associated with software supply chains.

Conclusion

Web application security testing is a process used to identify, prevent, and mitigate security vulnerabilities in web applications. It involves examining the code, architecture, and deployment environment of web applications to ensure they are secure and do not contain any exploitable vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches or other malicious attacks. Regular web app testing helps digital businesses identify potential vulnerabilities early, take steps to protect their data, and comply with industry regulations.

How can TestingXperts Help?

TestingXperts (Tx), is the next-gen specialist QA & software testing company, that has been helping clients with a range of security testing needs. Our team of Certified Ethical Hackers (CEHs) ensures that your application is secure from vulnerabilities and meets the stated security requirements, such as confidentiality, authorization, authentication, availability, integrity, and non-repudiation . Our dedicated teams have more than a decade of expertise in validating a wide range of applications for vulnerability and security threats and ensuring end-to-end security testing for identifying threats and vulnerabilities.

TestingXperts Differentiators:

• Flexible engagement models best suited to customer’s business needs

• In-house security testing accelerator Tx-Secure makes the security testing process quick and seamless and helps you achieve significant results

• Secure and well-equipped in-house security testing labs help perform effective security testing of all applications, including Blockchain, IoT, network infrastructure, etc.

• Security testing services have conformance with international standards and compliance, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, OSSTMM, OWASP, SANS, NIST and others

• Deliver detailed test reports to stakeholders to make informed decisions

The post Web Application Security Testing – An Informative Guide for Beginners first appeared on TestingXperts.

]]> https://www.testingxperts.com/blog/vulnerability-assessment?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=importance-of-vulnerability-assessment-in-effective-security-testing Tue, 27 Dec 2022 14:31:53 +0000 https://www.testingxperts.com/?p=26412

Vulnerability assessments help safeguard systems or applications by identifying security loopholes. Read the latest blog to understand the major impacts of cybersecurity breaches, types of vulnerability assessment tools, key takeaways of effective security testing, and more.

The post Importance of Vulnerability Assessment in Effective Security Testing first appeared on TestingXperts.

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Content 1. The Current State of Cybersecurity Threats and Vulnerabilities 2. An Overview of Vulnerability Assessment 3. Major Impacts of Cybersecurity Breaches on Digital Businesses 4. Types of Vulnerability Assessment Tools for Digital Businesses 5. Key Takeaways of Effective Security Testing 6. Conclusion 7. How TestingXperts Helps Businesses with Vulnerability Assessments?

The Current State of Cybersecurity Threats and Vulnerabilities

Digital businesses across industries continue to deal with rampant cyber-attacks. Hence, different vulnerability assessments should be taken to identify these vulnerabilities and safeguard systems and networks. These assessments automatically scan the network infrastructure to have a complete system overview to know any vulnerabilities and perform efficient security testing thereafter.

An Overview of Vulnerability Assessment

A comprehensive vulnerability assessment enables digital businesses to identify, segregate, and prioritize vulnerabilities that may occur in a network infrastructure, computer systems, and software. Generally, a vulnerability is identified as a security loophole that hackers may exploit to expose the organization to cyber threats or risks. The process of vulnerability assessments includes leveraging automated testing tools, like security scanners, that analyze the network or application and share the vulnerability results in an assessment report.

Major Impacts of Cybersecurity Breaches on Digital Businesses

Loss of brand reputation globally

Cyber-attacks have caused businesses to lose their customer’s and stakeholders’ trust, especially if the company has failed to protect their sensitive data. Invariably, such a reputation loss fails to attract the best talent, suppliers, or even investors, leading to business disruption.

Theft of sensitive customer data and intellectual property

Continuous attacks by cybercriminals have led to monetary and data losses. The stolen data is further sold on the dark web, where hackers demand hefty ransoms. In the case of intellectual property theft, it may lead to the loss of years’ worth of effort and investment.

Business disruption

Cybercrimes cause small businesses more damage when compared to large businesses or large corporations. According to a report, 43% of cyber-attacks are aimed at small businesses, but only 14% are prepared to defend themselves. Due to specific cyber-attacks, many leading corporate websites have gone down, suffering many hours of business disruption in recent times.

Legal consequences

Businesses must protect the sensitive data of customers and employees. If this data is compromised, it showcases that the organization has not followed appropriate security measures and may be levied with regulatory sanctions and legal consequences.

Types of Vulnerability Assessment Tools for Digital Businesses

Network-based scanning tools

These tools identify potential network security attacks and detect vulnerable systems on both wired as well as wireless networks.

Host-based scanning tools

These vulnerability assessment tools are used by testers to identify the potential vulnerabilities on servers or other network hosts used by digital businesses. Host-based scanning tools scan the application for open ports and services, and share key insights on the configuration settings and patch history of scanned systems.

Wireless network scanning tools

These tools are leveraged to scan the Wi-Fi network of a digital business and identify the security weaknesses. These tools scan and identify the potential access points and ensure that the wireless networks of digital businesses are configured securely.

Application scanning tools

These vulnerability assessment tools are used to test websites and mobile applications for the possible software vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.

Database scanning tools

Testers use these tools to identify the vulnerabilities that may be a reason to cause database-specific attacks. The attacks may be in the form of SQL and NoSQL injection, and other general vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in a server.

Key Takeaways of Effective Security Testing

Helps reveal vulnerabilities quickly

It proactively helps businesses to identify and fix vulnerabilities in their software, apps, networks, and servers. Digital businesses should take up security testing to ensure their organizations continue to deliver high-quality and secure services to their customers.

Keeps brand image and reputation intact

Even a single cyber-attack or data breach can negatively affect the image of an organization. According to Business Wire, 81% of consumers would stop engaging with a brand online after a data breach. This can adversely affect the brand image and revenue also. Therefore, digital businesses should invest in end-to-end security testing services to protect customer data and preserve their brand image.

Smoothens business continuity

Every business strives to operate seamlessly 24/7, which is achieved with practical and robust security testing methods. Regular security checks help businesses to eliminate situations of unexpected downtime or loss of accessibility, which could result in business continuity issues at times.

Ensures compliance with standards like PCI DSS and HIPPA

There are specific legal standards in every industry that corresponding organizations are expected to follow. Failure to do so may lead to legal obligations and fines. To ensure compliance with all the required standards, businesses should leverage security testing to avoid any penalties due to noncompliance.

Ensures security of IT systems, apps, networks & data:

As per Cybersecurity Ventures, a new cyber-attack hits every 11 seconds. This clearly shows an alarming situation; businesses must protect their IT systems, business-critical apps, and enterprise and customer data from these rapidly increasing cyber-attacks. This is where security testing plays its role.

Increases security IQ of employees with policies in place

Ensuring the security of data and systems is not the sole responsibility of IT teams. Vulnerability assessments help to understand the security testing requirements in the organization and foster a culture of cyber-security in the organization by adopting stringent cyber-security policies.

Conclusion

Cyberattacks have been on the rampage and pose a significant risk to business apps, data, systems, networks, and the risk of losing customer trust and the organization’s reputation. Today’s businesses should ensure robust cyber security readiness by leveraging end-to-end security testing.

Businesses should outsource security testing to the best outsourcing partner to protect their businesses from cyberattacks and ensure vulnerability-free. Outsourcing cyber security testing can help enterprises to achieve faster incident response time, save high costs, and overcome cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

How TestingXperts Helps Businesses with Vulnerability Assessments?

TestingXperts security testing teams have rich expertise in security testing and cater to diversified business needs. With a team of Certified Ethical Hackers (CEH), we help businesses to ensure that their application, networks, and servers are secure from all possible vulnerabilities and meets the stated security requirements like confidentiality, authorization, authentication, availability, and integrity.

Advanced DevOps Security Accelerator for Digital Businesses – Tx-DevSecOps

For digital businesses to reap more benefits concerning code security, TestingXperts Test Center of Excellence (TCoE) has developed an in-house accelerator, Tx-DevSecOps. This first-of-its-kind dynamic DevOps security accelerator offers a framework for continuous security testing and vulnerability management.

With Tx-DevSecOps accelerator, today’s digital businesses should leverage this high-speed and shift-left approach to continuous security testing. Its framework seamlessly embeds security checks within your existing DevOps environment to track and remove modern threats and helps to deliver secure software.

With the Tx-DevSecOps accelerator in place, it becomes easier to compile bug reports from different tools to a single dashboard, identify false positives, and track vulnerabilities efficiently. The application security can be checked at every stage of DevOps development and deployment. Typically, every stage produces some security output vulnerability issues, which are made visible in the vulnerability management dashboard.

Tx-DevSecOps accelerator helps with relevant security checks at each of the below stages:

• Pre-Commit Hooks

• IDE Security Plugin

• Secrets Management

• Software Composition Analysis (SCA)

• Static Analysis Security Testing (SAST)

• Dynamic Analysis Security Testing (DAST)

• Security in Infrastructure as Code

• Compliance as Code (CAC)

• Vulnerability Management

• Alerting and Monitoring

• Asset Monitoring

Tx-DevSecOps Issue Tracker

• Vulnerability management platform integrated with SAST and DAST tools manages:

• Clients and projects

• Access control

• Vulnerability life cycle

• Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) over the past 5 releases

• Removal of duplicate vulnerabilities from the report

• Access to interactive reports

• Details of all open vulnerabilities along with their severity and other technical details

• Automated notifications of identified vulnerabilities across major collaboration tools (Slack, Jira, MS Teams, etc.)

• This section should talk about benefits of Vulnerability Assessment. Currently it is about benefits of Security Testing which is a broader term.

The post Importance of Vulnerability Assessment in Effective Security Testing first appeared on TestingXperts.

]]> https://www.testingxperts.com/blog/sast-vs-dast?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sast-vs-dast-7-key-differences Tue, 13 Dec 2022 14:35:58 +0000 https://www.testingxperts.com/?p=26037

SAST vs DAST have underlying differences on the ways each QA procees validates the applications for security testing. SAST scans the source code of the application at rest and identifies the security loopholes, and DAST tests a running application. Read this blog with complete information

The post SAST vs DAST : 7 Key Differences first appeared on TestingXperts.

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Content 1. An Overview of SAST 2. Business Benefits of SAST 3. An Overview of DAST 4. Business Benefits Of DAST 5. SAST vs DAST : 7 Key Differences 6. Conclusion 7. How Can Tx Help You With Your Security Testing Needs?

An Overview of SAST

Static application security testing (SAST) analyzes the source code of the application to detect security vulnerabilities. The security vulnerabilities may be in the form of SQL injection, buffer overflows, XML, XXE attacks, hardcoded-credentials, vulnerable libraries and other security risks.

SAST is a white box testing approach in which the application is scanned from the inside out. Testers perform SAST to identify security vulnerabilities in the code before it is compiled or executed.

The SAST methodology enables testers to evaluate the applications early and without the need to execute any functional components. This way, security-related vulnerabilities are found and fixed early, preventing such security issues from going unattended until the later development phases. SAST saves time and effort for teams and enhances app security.

Business Benefits of SAST

Provides Security in the Early Stages:

SAST ensures an application’s security early in its development lifecycle. It enables finding vulnerabilities in the source code during the coding or designing stage, making it easier to fix the bugs early. However, when tests are not performed until the end of development, the build has inherent bugs and errors which take time to fix and delays the timeline.

Enables faster and more accurate testing:

SAST tools scan the application and its source code faster than a manual review. The tools validate and precisely scan millions of code lines in a time-effective manner and precisely detect all underlying issues. In addition, if configured and used correctly in the Dev pipeline, SAST tools continuously monitor the code for security leaks and preserve the code integrity and functionality while suggesting mitigations for the identified problems rapidly.

Ensures secure coding:

Secure coding is mandatory for all kinds of applications, be it for websites, mobile apps, or embedded systems. Creating robust, safe coding from the beginning reduces the risks of getting the application compromised later. The reason is that attackers are able to target poorly coded applications easily and perform cyber-attacks like stealing sensitive data, passwords, account takeovers, etc. It has adverse effects on the organizational reputation and customer trust. Using SAST ensures safe coding practices and regulatory compliance.

Enables detection of high-risk vulnerabilities:

SAST tools make it possible for testers to detect high-risk application vulnerabilities, such as SQL Injections and buffer overflows, etc., throughout the lifecycle. In addition, SAST tools identify cross-site scripting (XSS) and vulnerabilities.

Provides ease of integration:

SAST tools come with simple integration and can be easily embedded into an existing QA process. SAST tools perform security testing within the Dev environments, repositories, and issue trackers. SAST tools feature a user-friendly interface that ensures a reasonable learning curve and consistent testing.

Enables automated audits:

It is a time consuming and tedious task to perform manual security code audits, and the auditor should know of the possible vulnerabilities before they can examine the code thoroughly. However, SAST tools are capable of reviewing code frequently with accuracy and in less time. The tools accelerate code audits and ensure code security more efficiently.

An Overview of DAST

Dynamic application security testing (DAST) evaluates the application by simulating the actions of hackers who may try to sneak into the application. DAST tests the applications in real time and against vulnerability scenarios to detect and report security-related bugs.

DAST can be closed box, also called Black-box, or a grey-box where application functionality is known to the tester. It can also be a white-box where underlying technologies and architecture are also known to the tester. This helps in testing against any insider threats as well. DAST helps testers identify bugs that may not be found during SAST and appear only once the application is tested in runtime.

Business Benefits Of DAST

Provides a broader coverage against security vulnerabilities

Modern applications are complex and are integrated with a wide range of external libraries, legacy systems, extensions, template code, etc. As security risks evolve, such a solution offers businesses broader testing coverage. DAST scans and tests all applications and websites, regardless of their technologies. Therefore, DAST addresses various security concerns while checking how the application appears to attackers and end-users. It helps the testers run a comprehensive QA plan that may find and fix issues and ensure a secure application.

Ensures greater security across environments

Since DAST is not implemented on the underlying code but from the outside, achieving the highest level of security and integrity of the application is possible. Even if updates are made to the application environment, it remains secure and entirely usable.

Enables test deployments in the staging environment

DAST tools and techniques test applications in a staging environment for vulnerabilities. This way, Dev and QA teams are assured of the application security post-production. Teams test the application on a regular basis through DAST tools and use manual techniques to identify any underlying security issues that configuration updates may bring about.

Provides support for penetration testing

The process of DAST resembles that of penetration testing, where the application is verified for vulnerabilities by intentionally injecting malicious input or performing a cyberattack to review how the application responds. Using DAST tools in the penetration testing efforts simplifies the operations through its capabilities. DAST tools help streamline the penetration testing process through automated bug detection and reporting.

SAST vs DAST : 7 Key Differences

S.no	SAST	DAST
1	It is a white-box security testing process	This can be black-box, grey-box or white-box
2	The process of testing flows from the inside out	The process of testing flows from the outside in
3	QA is aware of the application’s design, implementation, and framework, just like the developer	In the case of black box DAST, QA is not aware of the application’s design, implementation and frameworks, just like a hacker
4	SAST is implemented on static code and does not require any deployed applications. It is called “static”, as the process scans the static code of the application to evaluate the vulnerabilities	DAST is performed on a running application. It is called “dynamic” as the process tests the application for security vulnerabilities dynamically when it is running.
5	SAST takes place in the early stages of SDLC.	DAST takes place on a running application and towards the end of SDLC.
6	SAST helps find the client-side and server-side security issues. The tools are compatible with multiple embedded systems and code but do not find bugs related to environments.	DAST tools detect security issues related to environments in addition to client-side and server-side vulnerabilities, which are not able to be detected just by SAST. This is usually done by analysing application behaviour and   responses and requests in an application.
7	SAST is directly integrated into CI/CD pipelines for regularly monitoring the application code. SAST verifies all stages of the CI process, which includes security analysis of the source code through test automation	DAST is directly integrated into a CI/CD pipeline once the application has been deployed and is running on the test server.

Conclusion

SAST vs DAST have underlying differences on the ways each method proceeds with security testing. SAST scans the source code of the application at rest and identifies the security loopholes. On the other hand, DAST tests the application that is running. When comparing SAST versus DAST, it is evident that SAST may be deployed earlier in the SDLC when it is relatively easy and cost-effective to fix the detected vulnerabilities and security issues. However, businesses should not rely on a single method to detect security bottlenecks.

A combined approach, which leverages both SAST and DAST, is recommended to enable a broader range of vulnerabilities and exploitable shortcomings. It reaps the benefits of both SAST’s static and DAST’s dynamic approach to end-to-end security testing. Adding other methods of security testing into the process, such as interactive application security testing (IAST) and runtime application self-protection (RASP), further strengthens the overall security testing process of applications.

How Can Tx Help You With Your Security Testing Needs?

TestingXperts (Tx), a next-gen specialist QA & software testing company, has been helping clients with various security testing needs. Our team of Certified Ethical Hackers (CEHs) ensures that your application is secure from vulnerabilities and meets the stated security requirements, such as confidentiality, authorization, authentication, availability, and integrity. Teams have more than ten years of expertise in assessing various applications for security threats and ensuring rigorous application testing for all possible threats and vulnerabilities.

TestingXperts Test Center of Excellence (TCoE) has developed Tx-PEARS –‘A holistic framework for enabling non-functional testing requirements quickly and effectively in one go.’

Tx-PEARS stands for Performance Engineering, Accessibility, Resiliency, & Security – Delivers innovative services in managing Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs) that help customers drive better value for their businesses with scalable and robust solutions enabling great CX.

Benefits for Businesses Leveraging Tx-PEARS

• 80-90% time saved during the planning phase as ready-to-use accelerators embedded in Tx-PEARS framework helps to jumpstart testing engagements.

• Provides scalability and resiliency to applications deployed on the cloud and on-premise.

• Proactively addresses application NFRs and covers both application and infrastructure stack.

• Less code to develop and maintain as accelerators have all the required features for ensuring quicker testing outcomes.

• Helps to analyze application architecture and design to identify potential fault areas and recommend the right design patterns (e.g., circuit breakers, bulkheads, etc.)

• Executes resilience validations to understand application and infrastructure resilience.

• Analyzes monitoring and operational processes and suggest modifications to improve resilience (build self-detecting and self-healing capabilities).

• Provides Application Performance Capacity Management and Production Stability Improvement services in one go.

• Ensures equal access to apps to all people, including people with disabilities like color blindness, moto impairment, mobility impairment, etc.

• Helps to build quality gates from an NFT perspective.

• Helps in enabling an application to be fault-tolerant, reduce latency, and make it load tolerant.

• Ensures business continuity even during sub-system/component failures.

• Helps to cut down QA costs by 40%.

• Save around 55% on Total cost of ownership (TCoE).

The post SAST vs DAST : 7 Key Differences first appeared on TestingXperts.

]]> https://www.testingxperts.com/blog/security-testing-guide?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=security-testing-an-effective-guide-for-businesses Tue, 17 May 2022 17:51:16 +0000 https://www.testingxperts.com/?p=22531

This week, in our weekly blog series, we have come up with a detailed guide on Security Testing. The rapid increase in cyber-attacks has made cyber security a major concern for businesses. . It has become essential for digitally transforming businesses to ensure the robust security of apps, data, networks, systems, and infrastructure. Businesses should leverage security testing to safeguard their systems, apps, networks, and IT infrastructure from possible cyber threats. Read this blog to know more.

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The rapid increase in cyber-attacks has made cyber security a major concern for businesses. Irrespective of business size, whether it is a startup, SMB, MNC, or the world’s leading enterprise, every business has the threat of possible cyber-attacks by hackers due to the vulnerabilities existing in their systems. Also, the new remote working culture due to the COVID-19 pandemic has made IT employees’ systems and data more prone to these attacks. Today, it has become essential for all businesses to adopt robust cyber security measures to prevent themselves from the losses caused by these threats. Businesses should leverage security testing to safeguard their IT systems, networks, apps, and infrastructure from possible threats and vulnerabilities.

Content
1. What is security testing?
2. Why do businesses need security testing?
3. Recent cyber-attacks in 2022 depict the need for robust security testing
4. Different types of cyber threats businesses should know
5. What are the various security testing methods businesses can leverage?
6. Important techniques used in security testing
7. How is security testing performed in parallel to SDLC?
8. Role of security testing in the DevOps environment
9. Benefits of embedding security testing into the DevOps environment
10. Who performs security testing?
11. Best security testing practices to ensure robust cyber-security in 2022
12. Upcoming Cyber-security threats and trends to look at in 2022
13. Security testing tools for businesses to leverage
14. Conclusion
15. How can TestingXperts help?

What is security testing?

Security testing is a software testing technique where apps, systems, networks, infrastructure, etc., are tested for security threats and vulnerabilities. This testing method helps improve the security posture of businesses and protects them from all kinds of cyber threats. Further, it ensures that business systems, apps, and networks are free from security loopholes and vulnerabilities that hackers could otherwise exploit. Some of the basic concepts in security testing include Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, Authenticity, Authorization, Non-repudiation, and Resilience.

Why do businesses need security testing?

Helps to identify hidden vulnerabilities:

Security testing helps identify hidden issues or security loopholes in the software/app that, if left unidentified, can be exploited by hackers.

Ensures security of sensitive data:

Cyber security testing helps to keep customer and business-sensitive data secure from all risks.

Empowers regulatory compliance:

Businesses need to safeguard customer data and prevent data leakage. This testing method helps to ensure data safety and also allows businesses to fulfill regulatory compliances.

Safeguard infrastructure:

Security testing helps businesses safeguard their IT infrastructure from unknown threats and malicious attacks.

Reduces app/network downtime:

Cyber-attacks might lead to network or app downtime, which can stop the normal functioning of the business activities and might hamper customer experience (CX). Leveraging security testing protects from these attacks and helps reduce/eliminate app or network downtime.

Protects from reputational loss:

Cyber-attacks threaten the business’s reputation and might also affect its bottom line. Businesses can protect themselves from economic and reputational loss by leveraging security testing.

Recent cyber-attacks in 2022 depict the need for robust security testing

According to securityaffairs, on 24^th March 2022, The Anonymous hacker collective claims to have hacked the Central Bank of Russia and accessed 35,000 documents. Anonymous claims that the stolen documents include Russia’s economic secrets. The attack on the central bank of a state could have major repercussions on its domestic politics.

According to novinkycz, on 22^nd March 2022, Hacker group Anonymous released 10 GB of data from Swiss company Nestlé. This is the collective’s retaliation for continuing the company’s business in Russia.

According to Wikipedia, on 14^th January 2022, a cyberattack took down more than a dozen of Ukraine’s government websites during the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis. According to Ukrainian officials, around 70 government websites, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cabinet of Ministers, and Security and Defense Council, were attacked.

Different types of cyber threats businesses should know

SQL Injection:

This technique involves injecting malicious SQL code into the entry field for hacking database-driven websites or websites that use dynamic SQL.

Malware attacks:

Hackers install malicious software on the victim’s system without consent in this cyberattack.

Phishing and Spear Phishing:

In this type of cyberattack, hackers send malicious emails that appear to be from genuine sources to gain personal information or influence victims to do something via these emails.

Man-in-the-middle attack (MitM):

In this cyberattack, a perpetrator intercepts the communication between client and server to either eavesdrop or impersonate someone.

Denial of Service attack (DoS):

In a DoS attack, the perpetrator shuts down the victim’s system or network to make it inaccessible to its intended users.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS):

In this Distributed Denial of Service attack, hackers flood the organization’s servers or networks with fake or bot users to crash the system’s normal functioning and interrupt the communication channel.

Password attack:

It is one of the most common types of cyberattacks where attackers use a mechanism to steal passwords by either looking around the person’s desk or using the sniffing technique.

Botnet:

It is a collection of malware-infected internet-connected devices that remains under the control of a single attacking party known as bot herders. It allows attackers to steal credentials saved on devices and gives them unauthorized access, leading to data theft and DDoS attacks.

IP Spoofing:

In this cyber attacking technique, the attacker modifies the IP address in the packet header. The receiving computer system thinks it is from a legitimate or trusted source.

Session hijacking:

In this attack, an attacker hijacks the user session. It usually starts when a user logs in to the application and ends when they log out.

Ransomware:

In this cyberattack, the attacker encrypts the victim’s file and demands a heavy amount of money or ransom to decrypt it.

Evidently, there are various types of cyber-attacks, and businesses should leverage robust security testing to protect themselves from these malicious attacks.

What are the various security testing methods businesses can leverage?

Static Application Security Testing (SAST):

SAST is a white box security testing technique where testers examine the source code to identify security defects. By using this security testing method, the security issues are identified and mitigated early

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST):

DAST is a black box testing technique that involves testing the application as it is running. This testing method helps identify security vulnerabilities that cyber-attackers could exploit if left unidentified.

Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST):

It is a cybersecurity testing technique that involves the usage of software instruments to assess applications in real-time. This testing method helps businesses identify and manage security risks and vulnerabilities while running web apps using dynamic testing techniques.

Red Team Assessment:

It is a broader aspect of penetration testing where the internal or external team of security experts simulate real-time attacks on the organization to determine how well an organization can defend itself from cyber attacks. Red team assessment helps to test an organization’s detection and response capabilities and also improves its security posture.

Risk-based testing:

It is the process of identifying and prioritizing potential risks associated with the software. The security testing teams prioritize the features and functions in software based on the risk of failure and its importance.

Penetration testing or ethical hacking:

In the Penetration testing method, a certified and authorized ethical hacker simulates cyberattacks to identify the security vulnerabilities in the software.

Security review: It is the process of safeguarding the entire DevOps environment by ensuring stringent security policies, strategies, best practices, procedures, and technology.

Important techniques used in security testing

Testing for SQL Injection:

In this technique, testers check if it is possible to inject SQL queries into the input fields of the application without proper input validation.

Cross-site Scripting (XSS):

In this technique, testers check the web application for XSS to ensure that an application does not accept any HTML scripts. This attack happens when an attacker injects executable code within a single HTTP response.

Session Management:

Testers check the session expiration after a particular idle time after logging in and after the maximum lifetime. It also involves checking session duration and session cookie scope.

Password Cracking:

In this technique, testers try to crack the password to assess an application. They use commonly available user names, passwords, and open-source password cracking applications.

Security Misconfiguration:

It is one of the most common security flaws found in web applications due to weak or default passwords, out-of-date software, unnecessary features, and unprotected files or databases. Therefore, testers check all these aspects during the security testing.

Sensitive Data Exposure:

This issue happens when a web application fails to protect sensitive data and exposes it to end-user such as credit card/debit card information, contact information, health records, etc. Therefore, testers check the web applications to ensure that they do not expose sensitive data to the end-user.

Unvalidated Redirects and Forwards:

In this type of cyber-attacking technique, the hacker redirects or forwards the user to an untrusted website to steal information. Security testers check whether an application can stop redirection when it takes users to an untrusted link or website.

How is security testing performed in parallel to SDLC?

Security testing is a complex software testing process conducted either manually or with automation leveraging automation tools. It is best to start security testing in the early stages of SDLC, irrespective of the manual or automated approach. Below mentioned are ways in which security testing is done in parallel to SDLC:

Requirements gathering:

Testers perform security analysis and understand business needs and existing security posture during this stage.

Designing:

Once all the requirements are gathered, testers start security test planning.

Coding:

During the development or coding stage, testers perform white box testing or SAST and Software Composition Analysis.

Testing:

During the testing phase, testers perform Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing using automated and manual methods.

Operations & Maintenance:

During this phase, testers perform impact analysis to find any other remaining security loopholes.

Role of security testing in the DevOps environment

Security testing plays a vital role in the DevOps environment as it ensures continuous security checks throughout the DevOps CI/CD pipeline. Below mentioned are some ways in which security testing is integrated into the DevOps CI/CD pipeline:

Planning phase:

The DevSecOps team identifies the business’s security requirements and prepares security policies during this stage.

Coding phase:

At this stage, testers conduct in-depth code reviews to ensure the robustness of the software build.

Build phase:

During this stage, testers perform Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and dependency scanning.

Testing phase:

At this stage, testers execute Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST), and penetration testing to identify and remove vulnerabilities.

Release phase:

During this stage, the software is checked against all necessary guidelines, best practices, policies, and protocols. Continuous testing is ensured to remove all bugs.

Operations phase:

At this stage, Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and Secret management processes are implemented to ensure proper provisioning of infrastructure through code.

Monitoring phase:

At this stage, logging and alerting methods, threat intelligence methods, and vulnerability disclosure methods are used to ensure robust security.

Benefits of embedding security testing into the DevOps environment

• Helps testers to identify and rectify bugs early in the DevOps pipeline

• Delivers safer, secure, and resilient software

• Reduces expenses and losses

• Increases the delivery rate and ensures faster release of secured software

• Provides transparency from the start of the software development process

• Allows more rapid recovery in case a cyber-attack or security flaw is identified

• Ensures robust security checks and compliances in the delivery pipeline

• Provides the ability to respond to changes as and when they occur quickly

• Builds customer loyalty and uplifts the brand image

Who performs security testing?

Security testing involves various types of testers with varying roles. Depending on the complexity of IT infra, different testers are involved. Various types of testers involved in security testing are pen testers, security audit teams, security test engineers, cyber-security testing managers, etc.

Penetration testers, ethical hackers, or white hats are trained people who perform authorized simulated cyber-attacks on computer systems, networks, etc., to help businesses identify security vulnerabilities. Pen testers play a vital role in security testing by identifying security loopholes in IT infrastructure before a cyber-attacker finds and exploits them. Thus, penetration testers save businesses from monetary and reputational losses.

Best security testing practices to ensure robust cyber-security in 2022

Ensure Data encryption:

Businesses should ensure end-to-end data encryption of sensitive and critical data. Data encryption converts the data into a secret code and reduces the risk of cyber threats, data destruction, or data tampering.

Ensure Data back-up:

Businesses need to keep their data back-up to ensure easy recovery if the data gets lost due to a cyberattack.

Use Multi-factor Authentication (MFA):

MFA is a security verification process that requires the user to provide two or more additional proofs of identity to access the account. This way, MFA adds a layer of security and safeguards businesses from cyber threats.

Use strong passwords:

It is necessary to use strong passwords with an appropriate combination of letters, alphabets, symbols, etc.

Avoid using public internet:

Systems connected to the public internet are more prone to cyber-attacks as hackers usually steal data or try to gain access to such systems.

Install anti-virus:

It is essential to install anti-virus to defend systems from cyber-attacks.

Upcoming Cyber-security threats and trends to look at in 2022

Remote work attacks will increase more:

The remote working culture that started with the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to continue for a long time as many organizations have adopted a permanent remote working policy. Due to this, the employees working from home are more prone to become victims of cyberattacks. According to Forbes, the cybersecurity threats that took advantage of this remote work dynamic will receive further attention.

Usage of AI for fraud detection will gain momentum:

In the upcoming years, it is expected that AI will be used more for fraud detection as it can analyze the data and find unusual patterns of cyber-attacks on the systems.According to Forbes, a shift to AI will help businesses meet the urgently needed gaps in the cybersecurity industry.

Rise in Ransomware attacks:

According to IBM, triple extortion ransomware is likely to rise in 2022. In this type of cyberattack, ransomware attack experienced by one business becomes an extortion threat for its business partner.

The need for cloud security will increase:

Today, businesses are rapidly adopting cloud solutions as it provides more benefits. However, cloud solutions are comparatively more secure than on-premise solutions as they have an added layer of security. Still, due to the advanced cyber-attacking techniques used by hackers, even cloud solutions are at risk of cyber threats today. According to Economic Times, cloud vulnerabilities are still a significant concern for many enterprises.

The risk of a cyber-attack on IoT devices will increase more:

The world is getting more connected with IoT devices and relies on heavy data, making it more prone to cyberattacks. According to IGT Solutions, the risk of cyber threats will increase in 2022 with more proliferation of IoT devices.

Security testing tools for businesses to leverage

Veracode:

It is a cloud-based security testing tool used to perform dynamic analysis (DAST), interactive analysis (IAST), static analysis (SAST), software composition analysis (SCA), and penetration testing.

Acunetix:

It is an end-to-end security testing tool that audits web applications by checking vulnerabilities like SQL Injection, Cross-site scripting, and other exploitable vulnerabilities. This tool comes with a suite of security testing tools: DeepScan Technology, Login Sequence Recorder (LSR), AcuMonitor, and AcuSensor.

Burp Suite Professional:

It is one of the widely used penetration testing and vulnerability scanning tools for web apps. This proxy-based tool evaluates the security of web-based applications and enables hands-on testing. It helps to find vulnerabilities faster and helps to save time and cost.

Microfocus Fortify:

It is a suite of automated security testing tools that support DevSecOps, Cloud transformation, software supply chain, Maturity at scale, Enterprise DAST, and CI/CD pipeline security. Various tools of this tool suite are: Fortify on Demand, Static Code Analyzer, Software Security Scanner, WebInspect, and Software Composition Analysis.

Conclusion

As businesses become more digital, there has been an increase in the number of cyber-attacks they face. It has become essential for digitally transforming businesses to ensure the robust security of apps, data, networks, systems, and infrastructure. It is necessary to adopt effective security measures such as strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, data encryption, etc., to protect businesses from cyber-attacks. Along with these measures, enterprises should leverage security testing methods like vulnerability scanning, pen testing, and ethical hacking to safeguard their systems, apps, networks, and IT infrastructure from possible cyber threats.

How can TestingXperts help?

TestingXperts (Tx), with its rich expertise in security testing, caters to businesses’ diversified security testing needs across industries. We have a large pool of Certified Ethical Hackers (CEH) that help businesses ensure their applications, networks, and servers are secure from all possible vulnerabilities and meet the stated security requirements like confidentiality, authorization, authentication, availability, and integrity. We are among the best security testing companies with expertise in assessing various applications for security threats. Tx teams ensure that your application is rigorously tested for all possible threats and vulnerabilities.

We primarily follow the OWASP (Open Web Security Project) guidelines in our security testing services along with PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOX, WAHH, OSSTM, WASC, and NIST Standards as per the application-specific requirements.

The post Security Testing – An Effective Guide for Businesses first appeared on TestingXperts.

]]> https://www.testingxperts.com/blog/outsourcing-cyber-security-testing?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-is-the-need-for-outsourcing-cyber-security-testing-in-2022 Tue, 05 Apr 2022 14:52:29 +0000 https://www.testingxperts.com/?p=22195

This week, in our weekly blog series, we have an interesting blog coming up on 'The Need for Outsourcing Cyber Security Testing in 2022.'
Cyberattacks have been on the rampage and pose a great risk to business apps, data, systems, and networks. These attacks also pose a significant risk to customer trust and organizational reputation. Today, businesses should adopt robust cyber security measures and outsource cyber security testing to an able outsourcing partner to protect from cyberattacks. Read this detailed blog that explains why businesses need to outsource cyber security testing in 2022.

The post What is the Need for Outsourcing Cyber Security Testing In 2022? first appeared on TestingXperts.

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Today’s businesses are trying to cope with the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, while a wave of cyberattacks continues to pose a challenge for businesses. These cyber-threats significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as employees worked from home. Due to this new work culture, many vulnerabilities surfaced online that weakened the security of systems, networks, and data, across organizations worldwide.

Contents
1. An overview of cyber security
2. Significant cyberattacks during 2021-2022
3. Why do businesses need to adopt cyber security measures?
4. How can businesses protect themselves from cyberattacks?
5. What is the need for outsourcing cyber security testing in 2022?
6. Some of the major benefits of outsourcing your cyber security testing include
7. How to choose your outsourcing partner for cyber security testing?
8. Conclusion
9. How can TestingXperts help?

Apart from the remote working culture, other reasons for the sudden increase in cyberattacks include weak passwords, public internet usage, unprotected systems/networks, and downloads from unknown sources, etc. Some of the most common attacks include Phishing, Ransomware, Password Attack, Cross-site Scripting, SQL Injection, Malware, DOS, Zero-day Exploit, etc. Eventually, today, it has become essential for all businesses to protect their critical apps, systems, data, and networks from cyber threats by adopting cyber security measures.

An overview of cyber security

Cyber security, also known as information technology security, protects computers, networks, servers, applications/software, data, and more from cyberattacks. Its main aim is to combat cyber threats and protect businesses from any form of vulnerability. Cyber security is categorized into five types: critical Infrastructure Security, Application Security, Network Security, Cloud Security, and Internet of Things (IoT) Security.

Significant cyberattacks during 2021-2022

According to The Stack, on 04^th Feb 2022, The UK Foreign Office was hacked in a major cybersecurity incident, forcing it to parachute into additional support with “extreme urgency” from its cybersecurity contractor BAE Systems Applied Intelligence. The UK government only revealed the existence of the “serious cyber security incident” affecting the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) through a public tender announcement.

According to AP News, a series of cyberattacks on 15^th Feb 2022 knocked the websites of the Ukrainian army, the defense ministry, and major banks offline. In such attacks, websites are barraged with a flood of junk data packets, rendering them unreachable. As per the report, at least 10 Ukrainian websites were unreachable due to the attacks, including the defense, foreign, and culture ministries and Ukraine’s two largest state banks.

Forbes, in one of their article on ‘More alarming cybersecurity stats for 2021,’ states that Americans seem to be wakening up to the need for better cybersecurity. A poll by The Pearson Institute and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that “about 9 in 10 Americans are at least somewhat concerned about hacking that involves their personal information, financial institutions, government agencies or certain

According to a report published by IBM, titled ‘Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021,’ the year 2021 saw the highest average cost of a data breach in 17 years, with the cost rising from USD 3.86 million to USD 4.24 million on an annual basis.

The rising frequency of cyberattacks and the higher number of compromised networks, apps, records, etc., indicate the severeness of risk posed by cyberattacks worldwide. Today, it has become essential for all businesses to adopt cyber security measures to keep them free from threats and vulnerabilities.

Why do businesses need to adopt cyber security measures?

Protects from cyberattacks:

The rapidly rising cases of cyberattacks have necessitated the adoption of robust cyber security measures. For businesses to protect their critical apps, systems, networks, and data from cyberattacks, the adoption of stringent cyber security measures is essential.

Protects brand reputation:

Cyber attacks pose a significant risk to the sensitive information of businesses and their customers. Any data leak can cause damage to their brand reputation. Therefore, businesses need to adopt effective cyber security practices.

Improves customer trust:

Businesses need to protect customer data from cyber threats, as any loss of customer data can affect customer trust. Therefore, businesses need to adopt cyber security measures to improve customer trust.

Protects business bottom line:

Cyberattacks, especially ransomware, can cause great monetary loss to businesses. Hence, businesses need to protect themselves from ransomware and other cyberattacks to protect their business bottom line.

How can businesses protect themselves from cyberattacks?

There are various cyber security measures that businesses can adopt and leverage to ensure their apps, systems, infrastructure, and networks are free from threats and vulnerabilities. Some of them include:

Data encryption:

Businesses should ensure end-to-end data encryption of sensitive and critical data. Data encryption converts the data into a secret code and reduces the risk of cyber threats, data destruction, or data tampering.

Data backup:

Businesses need to keep their data backup to ensure easy recovery if the data gets lost due to a cyberattack.

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA):

MFA is a great way to protect businesses from any cyberattacks. MFA is a security verification process that requires the user to provide two or more additional proofs of identity to access the account. This way, MFA adds a layer of security and safeguards businesses from cyber threats.

Employee awareness:

Businesses should create awareness among their employees about cyber security policies and employ the best practices to keep their businesses safe from cyberattacks. Businesses should make their employees aware of the importance of strong passwords, secure downloads, anti-virus, etc.

Outsource security testing:

Outsourcing is when a company hires a third party to handle operations or provide services. Thus, businesses can outsource the security testing of apps, systems, and networks to an able outsourcing partner to get an unbiased opinion on the cyber security readiness of their business.

What is the need for outsourcing cyber security testing in 2022?

Rampant cyber attacks have increased the need for security testing of business-critical apps, networks, data, and more. This testing method involves an in-depth analysis of the business’ IT infrastructure from an attacker’s perspective to ensure no security loophole is left behind. Typically, it is beneficial for businesses to outsource their cyber security testing to an able security and vulnerability testing services provider, which ensures many benefits of saving time, costs, and more. Also, for businesses, maintaining a team of security QA experts and paying licenses for various security test automation tools involves some costs.

Some of the major benefits of outsourcing your cyber security testing include:

Threat detection and incident response time improvement:

One of the major benefits of outsourcing is the quick incident response time or turnaround time. With outsourcing, the services are available on time and much faster than in-house teams.

Skilled professional services:

Outsourcing security testing allows businesses to test their software with highly-skilled resources. The organizations that offer outsourcing services have skilled and certified experts that can help businesses improve their cyber security readiness.

Automated cyber security testing:

For in-house teams, it is challenging to source and keep a wide range of tools in-house. However, outsourcing partners have access to various tools and frameworks that they leverage to automate software testing.

Security compliance and regulations:

There are various types of compliances and regulations, such as HIPPA, GDPR, SOC, etc., that businesses should follow. Businesses can get their security compliance and regulations checked by outsourcing cyber security testing.

Need effective security teams:

Vulnerability testing is a complex and continuous task that keeps getting more difficult as the application grows. Usually, organizations have a limited workforce available who are involved in various activities. Therefore, it is better to outsource cyber security testing to security testing service providers with in-house security testing experts.

Unbiased services:

Reliable outsourcing partner provides unbiased opinions about the security readiness of a business. This helps business decision-makers make correct and unbiased decisions.

Customized services:

As the application grows, software testing becomes complex. Also, applications need to be tested more frequently and thoroughly during peak load days. With outsourcing, businesses can get customized services as per their needs.

24x7x365 monitoring:

With outsourcing, businesses can achieve 24/7 monitoring of their applications and faster response to their needs. It becomes easy to get seamless support from the outsourcing company.

Access to advanced technology:

A reliable outsourcing partner stays updated with the latest technological stacks, such as AI, ML, IoT, RPA, etc. By outsourcing cyber security testing, businesses can get their software thoroughly tested with the help of advanced technologies.

Cost-effective:

For a business, in-house hiring resources, upskilling them, and buying tools could be a costly affair. However, with outsourcing, businesses get skilled resources, advanced tools, customized services, and more at a much lower cost.

How to choose your outsourcing partner for cyber security testing?

Reputation in the market:

The outsourcing partner’s credibility and importance matter a lot. Before offering the project to the partner, the background, history, and market reputation should be checked.

Years of expertise:

Before choosing an outsourcing partner, it is essential to look at the experience level of the partner, years of service in the industry, clients served, client-communication procedures used by the partner, etc.

Automation capabilities:

Automation testing has become the need of an hour. Thus, before outsourcing security testing, ensure that the partner has relevant automation testing capabilities.

Service flexibility:

Every business has different security testing needs. An outsourcing partner should be flexible enough to cater to varying types of testing needs as per the requirement of the business.

Engagement models:

For businesses to choose a reliable outsourcing partner, it is essential to look at the engagement models, like project-based, managed, staffing/time & material, etc.,

Thought leadership:

Outsourcing partner’s proficiency and subject matter expertise should be checked before hiring. The thought leadership of the outsourcing partner is all that matters and should be looked upon before hiring them for the projects.

Authentic partners:

The authenticity of the outsourcing partner should be validated before hiring them for the software testing project. Customer references can be checked to validate their authenticity.

Budget-friendly:

The outsourcing partner should be budget-friendly and must fit into the budgetary limits of a business.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, cyberattacks have been on the rampage and pose a great risk to business apps, data, systems, and networks and are at risk of losing customer trust and the organization’s reputation. Today’s businesses should ensure robust cyber security readiness by leveraging end-to-end security testing. Businesses should outsource security testing to the best outsourcing partner to protect their businesses from cyberattacks and ensure vulnerability-free. Outsourcing cyber security testing can help businesses achieve faster incident response time, save high costs, and overcome cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

How can TestingXperts help?

TestingXperts (Tx), is next gen specialist QA & software testing company, has been helping clients with a range of security testing needs. Our team of Certified Ethical Hackers (CEHs) ensures that your application is secure from vulnerabilities and meets the stated security requirements, such as confidentiality, authorization, authentication, availability, and integrity. Teams have more than ten years of expertise in assessing a wide range of applications for security threats and ensuring rigorous application testing for all possible threats and vulnerabilities.

Our Differentiators:

• A large pool of Certified Ethical Hackers (CEHs) with years of expertise in delivering security testing services to clients across domains

• Flexible engagement models best suited to customer’s business need

• In-house security testing accelerator Tx-Secure makes the security testing process quick seamless and helps you achieve significant results

• Secure and well-equipped in-house security testing labs help perform effective security testing of all applications, including Blockchain, IoT, network infrastructure, etc.

• Security testing services have conformance with International standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, OSSTMM, OWASP, and others,

• Deliver detailed test reports to stakeholders to make informed decisions

• Ensure 24x7x365 seamless customer support

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