This article presents a detailed exploration of Step 4 of the DevSecOps process, which focuses on testing the security of the runtime environment and applications.
The stage builds on previous steps, including static code analysis and secure development practices, to ensure that applications are secure when deployed and operating in dynamic environments.
The objectives of the Test Stage are to identify runtime vulnerabilities, detect exploitable weaknesses through black-box testing and fuzzing simulations, ensure secure containerisation and secret management, and close the gap between development and operations.
Some of the key strategies and practices for achieving these outcomes include dynamic application security testing (DAST), container vulnerability scanning, secret injection at runtime, interactive application Security Testing (IAST) and fuzzing, and creating a secure validation pipeline for runtime assurance, among others.
The article also discusses compliance mapping, deliverables, maturity recommendations, anti-patterns, and a checklist for this stage, along with a summary of the key takeaways.
The stage ensures that code meets reality in a controlled, validated, and secure way, shifting the security focus from code to real-world execution and contributing to an organisation’s overall security and compliance efforts.