What Is SAST? A Guide to Static Application Security Testing

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Static application security testing (SAST) is a method for identifying vulnerabilities in application source code, binaries, or bytecode early in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). By analyzing code before it’s compiled or run, SAST allows developers to catch potential security flaws before they can be exploited in production.

With cybersecurity threats on the rise, companies without SAST are at risk of significant financial and reputational damage if their applications or systems are breached. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, the global average cost of a data breach is USD 4.88 million.

Integrating SAST into the SDLC aligns with the shift-left approach that’s being embraced by modern development teams. Shifting left involves addressing code security and code quality concerns much earlier in the development process, rather than when the project has already gone live. It embraces a proactive approach to code and application security that can also lead to better code quality and a faster time to market.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• Why SAST matters
• Key considerations when choosing an SAST tool
• Best practices when implementing an SAST tool

What is SAST and why does it matter?

SAST is a code analysis method that checks an application’s source code without running it. It helps find security issues like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and buffer overflows by analyzing the code’s structure and logic during development. This allows developers to fix problems early, reducing security risks.

Unlike reactive security measures that address vulnerabilities after an attack or late in the development cycle, SAST takes a proactive approach. By integrating automated scans into CI/CD pipelines using tools like SonarQube or Snyk, teams can continuously validate security and minimize the attack surface from the outset.