What are the Key Steps to Run SAST Effectively?

Running SAST (Static Application Security Testing) requires a structured approach. Here are the key steps:

Tool Selection: Choose a SAST tool that supports your programming languages, integrates with your CI/CD pipeline, and aligns with your security and compliance requirements.

Integrate into the Development Pipeline: Incorporate SAST early in the development lifecycle, automating it within your CI/CD pipeline. This ensures continuous security scanning as code is written and updated.

Define Security Rules: Customize the SAST rules to align with your organization’s security policies and specific application requirements. Tailor the tool to reduce false positives and focus on relevant vulnerabilities.

Review and Remediate: Regularly review SAST findings and prioritize remediation based on risk levels. Collaborate with developers to address identified vulnerabilities as part of the development process.

Continuous Monitoring and Tuning: Monitor the effectiveness of SAST by tracking results and adjusting configurations as needed to improve accuracy and reduce noise.

Following these steps can maximize SAST’s impact on application security.