Web application security assessment tools

Security testing a Web application or Web site requires careful thought and planning due to both tool and industry immaturity. Finding the right tools involves several steps, including analyzing the development environment and process, business needs, and the Web application's complexity. Here, we describe the different technology types for analyzing Web applications and Web services for security vulnerabilities, along with each type's advantages and disadvantages. At Foundstone, we work with some of the world's biggest banks and telecommunications companies to identify and resolve security issues. Together with our clients, we face challenging testing scenarios in the context of demanding applications and complex business environments. We've seen firsthand what works and what doesn't; what's marketing hype and what gets results. Our analysis here is based on our collective experiences and the lessons we've learned along the way.