What are the main challenges and best practices of functional security testing?

1 Challenge 1: Complexity and diversity

One of the main challenges of functional security testing is the complexity and diversity of the software systems and the security threats that they face. Software systems often have multiple components, interfaces, protocols, dependencies, and configurations that can affect their functionality and security. Moreover, security threats are constantly evolving, and attackers can use various methods, tools, and techniques to exploit vulnerabilities, bypass defenses, or cause damage. Therefore, functional security testing needs to cover a wide range of scenarios, use cases, and attack vectors, and keep up with the latest security trends and standards.

2 Best practice 1: Risk-based approach

A best practice to overcome the challenge of complexity and diversity is to adopt a risk-based approach to functional security testing. This means that you should prioritize your testing activities based on the likelihood and impact of the security risks that your software system faces. You can use a risk matrix, a risk assessment framework, or a security standard to identify and rank the most critical and relevant risks for your software system. Then, you can focus your testing efforts on the areas that pose the highest risk, and use appropriate testing techniques, tools, and levels to verify the functionality and security of your software system.

3 Challenge 2: Time and resource constraints

Another challenge of functional security testing is the time and resource constraints that often limit the scope and quality of the testing process. Functional security testing can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly, as it requires specialized skills, tools, and environments to perform effectively. Moreover, functional security testing can also face competing demands from other testing activities, such as functional correctness testing, performance testing, or usability testing. Therefore, functional security testing needs to balance the trade-offs between the coverage, depth, and frequency of the testing process, and the available time, budget, and personnel.

4 Best practice 2: Automation and integration

A best practice to overcome the challenge of time and resource constraints is to leverage automation and integration for functional security testing. This means that you should use automated tools, scripts, or frameworks to perform repetitive, tedious, or complex testing tasks, such as scanning, fuzzing, or penetration testing. Automation can help you save time, reduce errors, and increase coverage and consistency of your functional security testing. Moreover, you should integrate your functional security testing with your development and deployment processes, such as agile, DevOps, or CI/CD. Integration can help you align your testing goals with your business objectives, streamline your testing workflow, and enable early and continuous feedback and improvement of your functional security testing.

5 Challenge 3: Human and organizational factors

A third challenge of functional security testing is the human and organizational factors that can influence the effectiveness and efficiency of the testing process. Functional security testing involves various stakeholders, such as developers, testers, managers, customers, and users, who may have different perspectives, expectations, and responsibilities regarding the functionality and security of the software system. Moreover, functional security testing can also face cultural, ethical, or legal issues, such as privacy, compliance, or accountability, that can affect the scope and quality of the testing process. Therefore, functional security testing needs to address the communication, collaboration, and coordination challenges among the stakeholders, and the ethical, legal, and social implications of the testing process.

6 Best practice 3: Education and awareness

A best practice to overcome the challenge of human and organizational factors is to promote education and awareness for functional security testing. This means that you should provide training, guidance, and support for the stakeholders involved in the functional security testing process, and help them understand the importance, benefits, and challenges of functional security testing. Education and awareness can help you foster a security culture, a shared vision, and a common language among the stakeholders, and improve their skills, knowledge, and confidence in functional security testing. Moreover, you should also follow ethical and legal principles and standards for functional security testing, and ensure that your testing process respects the privacy, rights, and interests of the customers, users, and other parties affected by the functionality and security of your software system.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?