What Is a Web Application Security Assessment? (And Other FAQs)

In 2024, every company is a technology company.

No matter their industry, today’s companies are all operating in a digital landscape, and they must use digital tools to truly be competitive, profitable and successful.

Web applications (like project management, customer relationship management, productivity and communication tools) are some of the most common, convenient and beneficial instruments a business can use. Unfortunately, they’re also prime targets for cyberattacks.

Cyber attackers routinely target web applications in order to access and steal private data, sneak into user accounts and conduct other types of cyber vandalism.

So, how can company leaders properly secure web applications so they can access the advantages while also protecting the organization’s data?

One of the best ways is to conduct a web application security assessment.

What Is a Web Application Security Assessment?

A web application security assessment is the methodical process of evaluating the security of a web application. It helps you to examine the web application’s security posture by uncovering the weaknesses and threats associated with it. The desired outcome of an assessment is to make the application more secure and resilient against cyberattacks.

There are three main types of web application security assessments: vulnerability scans, penetration tests and code reviews.

Vulnerability Scans

Vulnerability scans use automation to identify common weaknesses in your web applications. These scans do not inspect the source code or try to remediate the vulnerabilities when they are detected. They conduct functional testing to try to find security vulnerabilities that can be exploited and report them.

Penetration Tests

This type of manual testing is typically performed by ethical hackers and DevOps engineers. Penetration tests simulate real-world attacks to reveal how your application’s cyber defenses will hold up against an actual attack, placing a spotlight on critical vulnerabilities.

Code Reviews

The manual review of a web application’s source code provides a necessary human perspective to application security. It can unveil security flaws, including whether the code adheres to secure coding practices, such as having application logic that is designed securely to stop attackers from overtaking application functions.

How Do I Know Which Type of Web Application Security Assessment I Need?

The exact type of web application security assessment you need can depend on your tools, your industry and other factors. In general, a vulnerability assessment is always a good starting point to identify your overall situation and prioritize fixes.

Depending on the results of a vulnerability scan, you may want to pursue penetration testing to further analyze critical areas. A thorough security code review may also be necessary depending on your specific situation, especially if the application uses custom code.

Why Have a Web Application Security Assessment Performed?

A web application security assessment provides significant benefits to a company over the long term:

• Risk Reduction – Assessing your web application security allows you to be proactive in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities, placing your company in the best possible position to avoid data breaches, financial losses and other security incidents.
• Cost Savings – The costs of a data breach could include ransom, legal liability costs, remediation fees, loss of customers and more. Addressing security issues proactively is typically more cost-effective than having to address the aftermath of a breach.
• Compliance – Many industries have stiff regulatory requirements regarding data protection and cybersecurity. Conducting regular web application assessments can help ensure that your company can meet the increasingly rigorous regulations.

Will Testing Take a Long Time or Cause Disruptions to My Business?

Your web applications’ needs and the types of web application security assessments you’re administering can determine how long testing will take. Depending on these factors, assessments can take as little as a few hours to as long as a few weeks.

To minimize operational impact and disruption, schedule your web application security assessments strategically. This is where taking time to plan the assessment, such as defining the scope of the assessment, which web applications should be assessed, specific security controls to be assessed, etc., is most beneficial.

Any time and effort you invest now can prevent future incidents, save time and reduce costs in the long run.

If I’m Already Compliant With Cyber Regulations, Do I Still Need a Web Application Security Assessment?

Compliance with cyber regulations doesn’t necessarily equate to being secure. Cyber regulations may not be specific to your application. Web application security assessments will spotlight the risks unique to that particular application.

Also, even though cyber regulations are constantly changing, cyber threats are evolving even faster. To make sure that your web applications can withstand an attack, you need to frequently assess your web application security and identify areas for improvement.

What if My Business’s Assessment Reveals Problems?

While having completely secure web applications is the ideal goal, it is good to be aware of existing issues. Discovering vulnerabilities is a positive step because it enables proactive mitigation and strengthens your overall security posture.

Getting Started With a Web Application Security Assessment

For help getting started with assessments contact your Warren Averett Technology Group advisor, or ask a member of our team to reach out to you.