šŸš€Introducing Bright Star: AI-Powered, Autonomous Security Testing & Remediation! Learn more>>

Back to blog
Published: Mar 28th, 2023 /Modified: Mar 25th, 2025

Introducing 2023 Guide to AppSec Testing Tools

Time to read: 5 min
Avatar photo
Amanda McCarvill

Choosing the right application security tools can be a daunting task, as there are countless options available in the market. With the rapid advancement of technology, the complexity of these tools has increased, making it even more challenging for individuals and organizations to select the most appropriate solution. The sheer volume of options can be overwhelming, and it can be difficult to determine which tools will meet the specific security needs of an organization. Additionally, many of these tools require a high level of technical expertise to implement and operate effectively. As a result, careful consideration and research are essential to ensure that the right application security tools are selected to protect against potential threats and vulnerabilities.

To help you make the right decision, we have put together a 2023 Guide to Application Security Tools. We understand the importance of selecting the right application security tools, and our guide is designed to simplify the process, making it easier for you to choose the most appropriate solution for your organizational needs. 

Recent Hacks

To prepare your organization for possible attacks, it’s essential to comprehend how your adversaries function, what vulnerabilities they target, and what kind of harm they can cause. By answering these and other related questions, you can develop an effective Application Security strategy. 

To that end, in the guide we have compiled a list of seven software attacks that have taken place in recent years, complete with an explanation of the attack type, exploited vulnerabilities, and the consequences for the affected organization, so readers can gain a better understanding.

Types of Application Security tools

The guide provides an overview of different types of application security testing techniques, including Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST), and Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP). 

SAST is a white-box testing technique that can detect vulnerabilities in source code, making it popular for detecting issues early in the development process. DAST, on the other hand, tests the running application from the outside to identify potential security weaknesses. IAST combines both SAST and DAST techniques to analyze an application’s internal flow and link findings to source code. RASP, a complementary solution to SAST and DAST, monitors applications in production to detect and stop malicious behavior. In the 2023 AppSec tools guide you will find a list of popular tools for every testing technique, including features, advantages, and disadvantages for each. 

Vendors discussed in this guide include: 

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)
Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) Runtime Application Self Protection (RASP)

Choosing the Right Tool

Choosing the right application security (AppSec) testing tool can be a challenging task due to the plethora of options available in the market. To assist organizations in making an informed decision, we delve into the key factors that should be considered when selecting an AppSec tool. Our white paper covers various considerations, such as effectiveness, false positives, ease of use, compatibility, and team empowerment, providing practical guidance to help readers choose the most suitable tool for their specific needs.

Evaluation Criteria

In order to streamline the process of evaluating potential security tools, we have developed a practical checklist that can be used to approach this task in a step-by-step manner. Given the large volume of information that needs to be gathered and digested when considering various security technologies and vendors, this checklist will prove to be an invaluable resource. By utilizing the checklist, you can effectively compare each vendor and technology to ensure that the selection you ultimately make meets all of your requirements. By taking a systematic approach to this process, you can rest assured that you are making an optimal choice that will help to safeguard your organization’s valuable assets.

Best AppSec Practices

The Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) is a crucial framework that enables high-quality software development at a low cost, while also shortening the development time. By integrating security into each phase of the development process, organizations can ensure that by the time code hits production, it’s ready for the market. However, security is often an afterthought in the SDLC, which can result in costly security vulnerabilities that are found and fixed too late. 

Regular testing and updates are important to ensure that products are protected from known vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit to compromise devices. Implementing new security measures makes it harder for attackers to successfully compromise devices, which could otherwise result in the theft of sensitive data. Although regular software updates may be inconvenient, they are necessary. As many of us know, humans are often the most vulnerable link in an organization’s cybersecurity chain, which is why cybersecurity training and education is crucial. The importance of cybersecurity training cannot be overstated, as security on the web is constantly evolving, and it is essential to keep employees up to date on the latest cybersecurity trends to ensure both their safety and the security of the company.

The Ultimate Application Security Testing Guide is Here!

Overall, Selecting the right Application Security tools can become overwhelming as the market is flooded with various options. However, we understand the difficulty you may face and strive to make your job easier with our comprehensive guide to AppSec testing. Our guide provides detailed information on recent hacks, different types of application security testing tools, and a list of popular tools along with their pros and cons. We also help you choose the right tools by highlighting the factors to consider and evaluation criteria. In addition, we emphasize the best AppSec practices to ensure that you can confidently make the right decision while purchasing. If you are looking for a simpler purchasing process and want to be sure about your final choice, our guide is the perfect solution for you. Click the link below to gain instant access to the valuable insights and recommendations we have to offer.

2023 Guide to Application Security Testing Tools

Subscribe to Bright newsletter!