Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
Identify security vulnerabilities in your source code before they reach production.
SAST tools analyze your source code or compiled code for security vulnerabilities without executing the application, helping you catch security issues early in the development process.
Explore SAST ToolsHow SAST Works
Code Analysis
SAST tools analyze source code, bytecode, or binary code without executing the application, looking for patterns that indicate security vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Detection
The tools identify potential security issues such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), buffer overflows, and other common vulnerabilities.
Remediation Guidance
Most SAST tools provide detailed information about each vulnerability, including its location, severity, and recommendations for fixing it.
Benefits of SAST
Early Detection
SAST tools can identify security vulnerabilities early in the development process, before code is even committed to the repository, reducing the cost and effort of fixing issues.
Comprehensive Coverage
SAST tools can analyze all code paths, including those that might not be exercised during runtime testing, providing more thorough coverage of potential vulnerabilities.
Developer Education
By providing immediate feedback on security issues, SAST tools help developers learn about secure coding practices and improve their skills over time.
Compliance Support
SAST tools can help organizations meet compliance requirements by identifying vulnerabilities that could lead to regulatory violations and providing documentation for audits.
Popular SAST Tools
Supported Languages
- Java
- JavaScript
- Python
- C#
- Go
- PHP
- and more
Key Features
- Code quality analysis
- Security vulnerability detection
- Technical debt tracking
- CI/CD integration
Checkmarx
Enterprise-grade static code analysis solution with comprehensive language support.
Visit WebsiteSupported Languages
- Java
- C#
- .NET
- PHP
- JavaScript
- Python
- and more
Key Features
- Vulnerability detection
- Compliance reporting
- Developer guidance
- DevSecOps integration
Supported Languages
- JavaScript
- Java
- Python
- Ruby
- Go
- PHP
- and more
Key Features
- Code security
- Open source security
- Container security
- IaC security
Fortify
Comprehensive static code analyzer that identifies security vulnerabilities in source code.
Visit WebsiteSupported Languages
- Java
- C/C++
- C#
- JavaScript
- Python
- PHP
- and more
Key Features
- Vulnerability detection
- Compliance reporting
- Integration with IDE
- CI/CD integration
SAST Best Practices
Integrate Early in the Pipeline
Run SAST scans as early as possible in your CI/CD pipeline to catch vulnerabilities before they reach production.
Customize Rules for Your Codebase
Tailor SAST rules to your specific application to reduce false positives and focus on relevant security issues.
Implement Quality Gates
Set up quality gates that prevent code with critical or high-severity vulnerabilities from being deployed.
Provide Developer Feedback
Ensure developers receive clear, actionable feedback on security issues with guidance on how to fix them.
Track Security Metrics
Monitor and track security metrics over time to measure improvement and identify areas that need attention.
Combine with Other Testing Types
Use SAST alongside DAST, SCA, and other security testing methods for comprehensive coverage.
Implementing SAST in Your Pipeline
Here's a step-by-step guide to implementing SAST in your CI/CD pipeline:
Select the Right Tool
Choose a SAST tool that supports your programming languages and frameworks. Consider factors like integration capabilities, rule customization, and reporting features.
Configure the Tool
Set up the SAST tool with appropriate rules and configurations for your codebase. Start with a baseline configuration and refine it over time to reduce false positives.
Integrate with CI/CD
Add SAST scanning to your CI/CD pipeline, ideally running scans on every pull request and before merging code to the main branch.
Set Up Quality Gates
Define quality gates that prevent code with critical or high-severity vulnerabilities from being deployed to production.
Provide Developer Feedback
Ensure developers receive clear, actionable feedback on security issues, ideally integrated into their IDE or code review process.
Monitor and Improve
Continuously monitor SAST results, track security metrics over time, and refine your configuration to improve effectiveness.
Ready to Implement SAST in Your Pipeline?
Our experts can help you select, configure, and integrate the right SAST tools for your development environment.
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