What is DAST in DevSecOps?

In DevSecOps, Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is a critical tool for ensuring application security throughout the development lifecycle. DAST is a form of black-box testing that scans live, running applications for vulnerabilities by simulating real-world external attacks, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) or SQL injection. Unlike static testing, which examines code, DAST tests the application from the outside, identifying security flaws in real-time environments.

In a DevSecOps environment, DAST integrates directly into the Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline. This integration allows for automated and continuous security testing at every stage of development, ensuring that vulnerabilities are detected and addressed early. By embedding DAST into the DevSecOps process, organizations reduce the risk of deploying vulnerable applications, streamline security fixes, and create a more secure, efficient development cycle. This proactive approach ensures that security remains a core part of the entire development process.