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The quality of a software requires efficient planning, skilled professionals and appropriate tools. However, as important as such care, it is ensuring compliance with product requirements and safety standards. That's why source code auditing has become an irreplaceable tool in this regard.
Its role is, among other things, to verify that these criteria have been met at all stages of development. Still, it's natural to have some questions about how to run it properly.
With that in mind, here we'll show you the full importance of auditing source code, how to audit effectively, and how bugScout helps you make this process more flexible. So enjoy reading!
What is the importance of auditing source code for development projects
Source code auditing is a process that is part of vulnerability management. Its goal, more broadly, is to ensure that the software is developed according to established requirements and safely.
More specifically, the process involves different types of analysis of the code behind the application, so that any flaws are identified and corrected. In practice, there is no single strategy to perform the audit, but different paths for each type of product.
It is important to keep in mind that this should be a fundamental part of the development team's planning. From start to finish —and even later—when creating software, the company must ensure that the end user will have their demands met.
In an increasingly digitized and competitive market, source code auditing acts as a valuable quality process. In other words, it can be the differential between winning a customer and losing space in the market.
With the success of agile development methodologies, for example, customers adapted to receive software quickly. In addition, the product is constantly improved to be safer and more efficient.
When a failure already occurs during use or at an advanced development stage, it can compromise the delivery schedule and software quality. Consequently, the company is struggling with the customer and may lose space for the competition.
In addition, some security flaws may expose sensitive user and third-party data. With the LGPD already in place, this is a scenario that no company wants to face.
Therefore, the audit of source code is more necessary than ever. When done well, it improves software security, streamlines its development, and reduces costs with eventual future interventions to solve problems.
How do I audit source code in your projects?
The first step to a successful audit is to keep in mind that it involves different processes. It is not just an analysis, but a set that will address the code in several respects. See what the phases are.
Manual analysis
The most basic method is manual analysis, which should be performed by professionals with a good notion of software architecture. In addition, it is important that it is not the same team responsible for development, as these people tend to look skewed to the code.
An interesting complement is the so-called peer review,or peer review. In this case, a code adequacy proposal can only be implemented after being evaluated by a second expert. Analysts should look for code insertion flaws, vulnerable code, poorly designed systems, configuration issues, and non-compliance with security standards.
Static analysis
This step is typically implemented in the build phase because it is automated. Static Application Security Testing (SAST)-specific tools are used to analyze the code pattern and search for known failures.
An important detail is that the code is not actually executed—so the analysis is considered static. The errors encountered can be simple or complex. In general, this involves the entire code, as well as communication points with other tools.
Dynamic analysis
In contrast, dynamic analysis is done with the code in operation. The tools used, therefore, are the so-called Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), which give an external view of the application before putting it to run.
The goal is to simulate a scenario in which a hacker tries to take advantage of a software vulnerability.
What are the bugScout differentials for source code auditing?
A common mistake among some professionals is to find that DAST and SAST are opposite processes. In fact, they are complementary. After all, it is important to be in the clear of the flaws that can generate vulnerabilities, but also of the view that an external agent has of the application if it tries to invarate it.
bugScout is a platform designed for source code analysis and application security. One of its differentials is precisely the integration of IAST and SAST, providing a more complete coverage of the code.
This means having more flexibility during testing, as settings can be adapted according to the demands of each company. The platform has, for example, more than 5,600 security rules that you can check in an automated way in the software under development.
Scanning can be done in more than 35 programming languages. The performance, in turn, is impressive: bugScout is able to analyze millions of lines per hour without the need for such a robust technological infrastructure for it.
The result is early detection of security vulnerabilities that would cause operational expenses in the future. Whether in a software audit or during development, the platform adapts 100% to the DevOps cycle.
Finally, it is worth noting that bugScout can be integrated with SonarCube® and key IT solutions to automate an ever-increasing cycle of processes. Thus, your company can have a transparent, agile and effective source code audit.
Just see how it is possible to improve the quality of the software developed and optimize the IT routine with a powerful tool? So put this technology to work in your favor right now!
If you want to better understand how bugScout can work under the specific conditions of your IT environment, please contact us and schedule a meeting!
