SAST, which stands for Static Application Security Testing, has become an essential part of the software development lifecycle for organizations that prioritize security. But what exactly is SAST, and why is it so important? This article will provide an overview of SAST, explain its key capabilities, and discuss the top reasons why your development teams need to be using it.
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What is SAST?
SAST or Static Application Security Testing refers to a set of techniques and tools used to analyze application source code in order to detect security vulnerabilities without executing the code itself. It is a form of white box testing that enables the examination of an application’s internal structure, architecture, and coding practices in a non-runtime environment.
In contrast to dynamic application security testing (DAST), which analyzes applications while they are running, SAST takes a static approach. It scans code at rest, typically integrated into continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. This allows vulnerabilities to be detected much earlier in the software development lifecycle (SDLC), enabling faster and more cost-effective remediation.
What are SAST Tools used for?
Modern SAST solutions like Snyk or Aikido Security offer some key capabilities that set them apart from traditional code analyzers:
- Broad language and framework support – Leading SAST tools can analyze code written in languages like JavaScript, Java, C#, Python, Ruby, PHP, and more across common frameworks.
- Detection of a wide range of vulnerabilities – SAST can uncover SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), insecure data exposure, insecure configuration, cryptography weaknesses, and other flaws outlined in sources like the OWASP Top 10.
- Precision through advanced analysis – Static analyzers leverage techniques like data flow analysis, taint analysis, and semantic analysis to reduce false positives and uncover hard-to-detect issues.
- Integration with CI/CD pipelines – SAST testing can be woven directly into developer workflows, no matter which SaaS they use, enabling identification of vulnerabilities as code gets checked in to repositories.
- Prioritization and actionable reporting – Smart ranking and clear remediation guidance allows developers to focus on fixing high-risk vulnerabilities first.
Why You Need SAST
There are several compelling reasons why SAST needs to be a standard part of application security strategies today:
- Find More Vulnerabilities Earlier
Performing SAST testing regularly enables bugs like SQLi and XSS to be detected extremely early on, while code is still being written. This is the chief benefit of “shifting left” with security – addressing flaws much cheaper and faster.
- Reduce Risk of Data Breaches & Hacks
Applications containing vulnerabilities like injection attacks or cryptography issues put the entire business at risk of damaging hacks that lead to loss of data, intellectual property, and trust. SAST protects against these preventable security incidents.
- Save Time & Money Over Manual Code Reviews
Manually auditing code for vulnerabilities does not scale and is largely ineffective. Automating scans with SAST checks every line of code at machine speed, saving huge time and costs.
- Support Developer Workflows with CI/CD Integration
Weaving SAST scans into existing developer workflows through native CI/CD integration positions it as a helpful ally rather than a roadblock, improving adoption across engineering teams.
- Accelerate Release Cycles Securely
With the ability to identify issues early on and generate actionable results, SAST empowers teams to speed up release cycles without sacrificing security – a key DevOps goal.
- Gain Visibility Into Third-Party Code Risks
SAST helps uncover vulnerabilities introduced from the use of open source libraries and third-party code dependencies – a leading source of risk.
- Meet Compliance Requirements
Adhering to software security standards like PCI DSS requires the use of technologies like SAST. Integrating scans helps demonstrate due diligence.
What are the most common SAST tools?
There are free SAST tools and paid application security platforms available of all types. From small dev teams to large enterprises there is a SAST tool for everyone. Some of the best SAST tools are:
- Aikido Security: Best all-in-one Application Security Platform
- Veracode: Most established SAST vendor
- Checkmarx: Best for large enterprises
- Snyk Security: AI-powered SAST tool to find & fix vulnerabilities
- Codacy: SAST bundled in AppSec platform
- Klocwork: SAST tool for C/C++/C#/Java
- Fortify: Longstanding legacy vendor
- SonarQube: Most popular open-source SAST with enterprise tier
- GitLab SAST: SAST tool for GitLab
- Github Advanced Security: SAST tool for GitHub Enterprise
SAST helps developers build more secure software. This list of tested options provides a starting point to explore and compare tools.
Conclusion
SAST tools analyze application codebases to rapidly uncover security flaws without needing to execute programs. Modern SAST capabilities like CI/CD integration, broad language support, precision detection, and clear reporting deliver immense value.
By shifting security left, reducing breach risks, increasing efficiency, and enabling oversight into third-party code, SAST addresses critical challenges faced by engineering and security teams alike. Prioritizing its use helps strengthen application security posture and meet compliance demands.
As software rapidly grows in complexity, making SAST testing a consistent practice across the SDLC is one of the most effective steps an organization can take to reduce risk. The tools and technology now exist to make this achievable – it’s time to leverage them.
