When testing an application in an operational state, what process is being used?

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is the process involved when testing an application in an operational state. This approach focuses on evaluating an application while it is running, simulating real-world attack scenarios to identify vulnerabilities. DAST tools interact with the application just as a user would, assessing how it behaves under various conditions and potential threats.

In the context of operational testing, DAST is particularly effective because it can evaluate the application’s runtime environment, identifying issues that may not be captured during development phases. It helps in discovering vulnerabilities such as authentication flaws, cross-site scripting, and other risks that could be exploited by malefactors once the application is live. DAST enables organizations to ensure that security measures are robust and functioning correctly in the actual operational context.

This approach stands in contrast to other methods such as static application security testing, which examines the code without executing the application, and regression testing, which focuses on ensuring that new code changes do not adversely affect existing functionality. Performance testing would assess the speed, responsiveness, and stability of the application under load, but does not address security concerns directly. Hence, the choice of DAST aligns precisely with the requirements of testing an application that is already operational.