GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Application Security Testing (AST) Solutionsv2.0

1. Executive Summary

In an era of escalating cyber threats and increasingly complex application landscapes, robust application security testing (AST) is no longer a luxury but a necessity. AST solutions have evolved from being perceived as costly overhead to being recognized as essential tools that safeguard applications and sensitive data, ultimately protecting an organization’s reputation and bottom line.

AST is a set of methodologies and tools designed to uncover vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and misconfigurations in software applications. These solutions are crucial for preventing data breaches, unauthorized access, and malicious attacks that can disrupt operations, compromise customer trust, and lead to financial losses. AST is essential for any organization that develops or uses software applications, particularly those in industries with strict regulatory requirements or those handling sensitive data.

Business Imperative
The business case for AST is compelling. Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting not only large enterprises but also small and medium-sized businesses. The costs associated with a data breach can be catastrophic, including legal fees, regulatory fines, loss of customers, and damage to brand reputation. Investing in AST is not just a technological decision; it’s a strategic move to mitigate risk, ensure business continuity, and maintain customer trust.

Sector Adoption Score
To help executives and decision-makers assess the potential impact and value of an AST solution deployment to the business, this GigaOm Key Criteria report provides a structured assessment of the sector across five factors: benefit, maturity, urgency, impact, and effort. By scoring each factor based on how strongly it compels or deters adoption of an AST solution, we provide an overall Sector Adoption Score (Figure 1) of 3.8 out of 5, with 5 indicating the strongest possible recommendation to adopt. This indicates that an AST solution is a credible candidate for deployment and worthy of thoughtful consideration.

The factors contributing to the Sector Adoption Score for AST are explained in more detail in the Sector Brief section that follows.

Figure 1. Sector Adoption Score for AST

This is the second year that GigaOm has reported on the AST space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports. This report builds on our previous analysis and considers how the market has evolved over the last year.

This GigaOm Key Criteria report highlights the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) for selecting an effective AST solution. The companion GigaOm Radar report identifies vendors and products that excel in those decision criteria. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading AST offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions so they can make a more informed investment decision.