What is DAST in Security Testing?

DAST is a security testing method that identifies vulnerabilities in a running application by simulating external attacks. Unlike static testing, which analyzes an application’s code, DAST tests the application from the outside, interacting with it in real time to uncover potential security flaws, such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and authentication issues.

DAST is often used in web applications and is particularly effective at finding vulnerabilities that only appear when the application is live. By mimicking how a malicious user might exploit an application, DAST enables organizations to detect and fix security weaknesses before attackers exploit them in the wild.

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is typically integrated into the CI/CD pipeline in DevSecOps environments, enabling automated and continuous security testing throughout the development lifecycle. This proactive approach helps secure applications while minimizing the risk of vulnerabilities in production.