PlexTrac ConceptsStatic Application Security Testing Return to Concepts What Is Static Application Security Testing (SAST)? What Are the Benefits and Challenges of Static Application Security Testing? What Are the Differences Between Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), and Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)? How Does PlexTrac Work With Static Application Security Testing? Related Resources Related Terms AI in Cybersecurity Continuous Validation Dynamic Application Security Testing Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Interactive Application Security Testing Offensive Security OWASP Proactive Security Red Teaming Vulnerability Management What Is Static Application Security Testing (SAST)? Static application security testing (SAST), or static analysis, is the cybersecurity practice of analyzing the source code, bytecode, or binaries of an application before it is deployed to identify potential vulnerabilities like SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS). SAST is typically performed as early in the software development cycle as possible to identify potential security issues and address them quickly. What Are the Benefits and Challenges of Static Application Security Testing? Static application security testing (SAST) benefits include: Early detection of vulnerabilities in the development process Analysis of the entire codebase for a quick view of potential security issues and bugs Reduced costs of incidents or vulnerabilities by catching and fixing issues early in the lifecycle Creation of more secure applications through real-time feedback before deployment SAST can come with some challenges you will want to consider and be aware of before implementing. Some challenges with SAST include: The code is analyzed before execution, which could miss runtime vulnerabilities By interpreting code and applying assumptions, SAST tools can produce false alerts SAST tools are often language-specific and may require more tools for your apps Configuration interpretation and remediation often require manual work Book a Demo Today Book a Demo What Are the Differences Between Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), and Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)? Static application security testing (SAST) analyzes the application code, whereas dynamic application security testing (DAST) tests the application functionality and simulates real-world attacks to uncover potential vulnerabilities. Interactive application security testing (IAST) is the combination of the two. IAST tests and monitors the application before and during runtime to identify security gaps and functional issues. How Does PlexTrac Work With Static Application Security Testing? PlexTrac aggregates pentest and vulnerability data from various scanners and tools — including popular static application security testing (SAST) solutions — and automates reporting with AI to effectively prioritize risk. Request a demo to see how to close the loop on continuous validation by prioritizing, assigning, and tracking findings from all your scanner tools in one place with PlexTrac. Related Resources 30+ of the Most Popular Penetration Testing Tools in 2023 Vulnerability Assessment vs Penetration Testing: Understanding the Key Differences Securing Products, Embedded Devices, and the IoT The Gold Standard of Continuous Pentesting AI and the Future of Pentest Reporting and Vulnerability Management Going on the Offensive The Future of Manual Security Testing The New Artificial Intelligence << Source Code Analysis Threat Intelligence >>