Practice 1 - Follow the organization’s policies or guidelines for when code testing should be performed and how it should be conducted
This practice is important for security because it ensures that code is tested in a safe and secure environment before it is released into production. Testing code in a sandboxed environment helps to identify potential security vulnerabilities and ensures that code is functioning as expected. Additionally, testing third-party executable code and reusable executable code modules written in-house helps to ensure that any malicious code or malicious actors are not able to access the organization’s systems. Following the organization’s policies and guidelines for code testing helps to ensure that code is secure and functioning as expected.
Practice 2 - Choose testing methods based on the stage of the software.
This practice is important for ensuring the security of software throughout its development cycle. Different testing methods could be used at different stages to identify and address any security vulnerabilities. For example, during the design phase, a security risk assessment can be used to identify potential security threats and recommend countermeasures. During the development phase, static code analysis can be used to detect coding errors that could lead to security vulnerabilities. During the testing phase, penetration testing can be used to identify and exploit any security weaknesses in the system. Finally, during the deployment phase, security audits can be used to verify that the system is secure and compliant with security standards. By using appropriate testing methods at each stage of the software development cycle, security vulnerabilities can be identified and addressed before they become a problem.
Practice 3 - Perform robust functional testing of security features.
Functional testing of security features is a practice used to ensure that the security features of a system are working as expected. This type of testing is important because it helps to identify any potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the system that could be exploited by malicious actors. Functional testing of security features typically involves testing authentication, authorization, encryption, and other security-related functions. It also involves testing the system's ability to detect and respond to security threats and breaches. By performing robust functional testing of security features, organizations can ensure that their systems are secure and that their data is protected.
Practice 4 - Integrate dynamic vulnerability testing into the project’s automated test suite.
Dynamic vulnerability testing is a security practice that involves running automated tests to identify vulnerabilities in a system or application. This type of testing can be used to detect security flaws such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other common vulnerabilities. By integrating dynamic vulnerability testing into the project's automated test suite, developers can ensure that any new code they add does not introduce any new security flaws. This helps to ensure that the application is secure and that any vulnerabilities are identified and addressed quickly. Additionally, this practice can help to reduce the amount of manual testing that needs to be done, as automated tests can be used to identify any potential security issues.
Practice 5 - Incorporate tests for previously reported vulnerabilities into the project’s test suite to ensure that errors are not reintroduced.
This practice is important to ensure that any previously reported vulnerabilities are not reintroduced into the project. By incorporating tests for these vulnerabilities into the project's test suite, it will help to identify any errors that may have been reintroduced during the development process. This will help to ensure that the project is secure and free from any previously reported vulnerabilities. Additionally, it will help to identify any new vulnerabilities that may have been introduced during the development process.
Practice 6 - Take into consideration the infrastructures and technology stacks that the software will be used with in production when developing test plans.
This practice is important for ensuring the security of the software in production. By taking into consideration the infrastructures and technology stacks that the software will be used with in production when developing test plans, security vulnerabilities can be identified and addressed before the software is released. This helps to ensure that the software is secure and can be used safely in production environments. Additionally, by considering the infrastructures and technology stacks that the software will be used with, the test plans can be tailored to ensure that the software is tested in an environment that is as close to the production environment as possible. This helps to identify any potential issues that may arise when the software is deployed in production.
Practice 7 - Use fuzz testing tools to find issues with input handling.
Fuzz testing is a type of security testing that involves providing invalid, unexpected, or random data to the inputs of a system. The goal of fuzz testing is to uncover security vulnerabilities in the system by providing unexpected or malformed data to the system and observing how it responds. By doing this, security experts can identify potential weaknesses in the system that could be exploited by malicious actors. Fuzz testing tools can be used to automate this process, allowing security experts to quickly and efficiently identify potential security issues with input handling.
Practice 8 - If resources are available
Penetration testing is a security practice that simulates how an attacker might attempt to gain unauthorized access to a system or application. It is a proactive approach to security that helps to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. By simulating an attack, organizations can gain insight into their security posture and identify areas of improvement. This type of testing can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of security controls, identify potential weaknesses, and provide recommendations for mitigating risk. Additionally, penetration testing can help organizations comply with security regulations and industry standards.
Practice 9 - Identify and record the root causes of discovered issues.
The practice of identifying and recording the root causes of discovered issues is an important step in the security process. This practice helps to ensure that any security issues that arise are addressed in a timely and effective manner. By identifying and recording the root causes of discovered issues, security teams can better understand the underlying problem and develop a plan to address it. This practice also helps to ensure that any security issues are not repeated in the future, as the root causes can be identified and addressed. Additionally, this practice can help to identify any potential security weaknesses that may have been overlooked in the past.
Practice 10 - Document lessons learned from code testing in a wiki that developers can access and search.
This practice is a great way to ensure that developers have access to the lessons learned from code testing. By documenting the lessons learned in a wiki, developers can easily search for information related to their code and use the lessons learned to improve their code. This practice also encourages developers to document their own lessons learned, which can help to create a culture of continuous improvement and learning. Additionally, this practice can help to reduce the amount of time spent on debugging code, as developers can quickly access information related to their code and apply the lessons learned to their own work.
Practice 11 - Use source code
This practice is important for ensuring that the test plans are comprehensive and effective. By using source code, design records, and other resources, testers can identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in the system that may not be apparent from the user interface alone. This can help testers create more robust test plans that cover all potential areas of risk. Additionally, having access to the source code and design records can help testers create more accurate test cases that accurately reflect the system's behavior.