Security Testing: Security Standards and Certification

Ponemon Institute and Proofpoint carry out research in the field of privacy and information security. According to their joint report, the average cost of a single data security breach in 2023 was $4.5 million. At the same time, according to the same studies, organizations that have certifications of compliance with security standards, such as ISO 27001 or NIST, reduce the potential costs of cyber incidents. This clearly demonstrates the importance of proper security testing and certification to ensure software security and minimize risks. Let's look at the main security and certification standards!

1. What are Security Standards?

Security standards are a set of approved and recognized rules or guidelines that define minimum security requirements. In the context of software, they establish criteria for protecting information and systems from leaks, unauthorized access, and other types of threats.

Security standards include specifications, methodologies, procedures and processes aimed at ensuring software security. They cover various aspects, including data protection, business continuity, risk management, and software development and operation procedures.

Such standards are often developed and maintained by international organizations, including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP). They become the basis for creating and maintaining reliable and secure systems and software.

There are several important security standards that relate to software development. Here are some of them:

1. ISO/IEC 27001:2013

This is an international standard that describes best practices for information security management, including software development and operation. It defines the requirements for an information security management system and allows an organization to demonstrate to its clients and stakeholders the implementation of an information security management system (ISMS).

2. NIST 800-53 

Here we are talking about a publication from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. It provides guidance on the selection and application of security controls regarding information systems and the environment in which they are located.

3. OWASP

The Open Web Application Security Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving software security. OWASP has a set of guidelines and tools, such as the OWASP Top Ten, which describes the most critical security threats to web applications.

4. PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)

If your software processes, transmits, or stores payment card data, then PCI DSS is a mandatory security standard with which your software must be compliant.

5. CIS Benchmarks

The Center for Internet Security develops security-focused configuration guides for a variety of technologies. They are a set of specific actions that can be taken to improve system security.

2. What is Security Certification?

Security certification is a process by which an independent external agency or organization approves that a product, service, or system meets specified security standards.

In the context of software, security certification is proof that a system or application is designed and tested to meet specific security requirements. This may include vulnerability testing, auditing of development and testing processes, and other procedures regulated by security standards.

Conducting security certification involves a thorough evaluation of a product or system by security professionals. Depending on the results obtained, an appropriate certificate may be issued, which confirms that the product meets the standards.

Security certification is important to demonstrate the reliability and safety of a product. Thia also may be required by law or regulators in certain industries.

3. How to get certified?

Security certification is not something that most companies have now. This requires additional resources, which management would rather spend on something they believe is more beneficial to the business. However, going through the security certification process has several important benefits:

• Certification helps improve the safety of products or systems by confirming that they meet generally accepted standards.
• A security certificate can serve as a seal of quality for customers and partners, increasing their trust in your organization and products.
• In some industries or regions, certification may be necessary to comply with legal or regulatory requirements.
• Certification can serve as a competitive advantage, setting your organization apart from others in the market.
• Failure to comply with security standards can result in security risks including customer data and sensitive business information. It may also result in financial loss and reputational damage.
• As part of the company's certification, audits are carried out regularly, which encourages continuous improvement of processes and safety.

One of the reasons why companies don’t get certified may be lack of knowledge of the requirements. In addition, there is the problem of a “blank slate”: where to start? Certification processes may vary slightly depending on the specific standard, however, in general terms it includes the following steps:

1. ISO/IEC 27001:2013

• Preparation: Determine the scope of the ISMS, conduct a risk assessment and develop appropriate risk management measures.
• Implementation: Implement certain controls, create a security policy, train staff.
• Internal audit: Conduct an internal audit to check if your ISMS is ISO 27001 compliant.
• Certification audit: This audit is carried out by an external auditor. It usually consists of two stages: readiness assessment and main audit.
• Obtaining and maintaining certification: If the audit is successful, you will receive an ISO 27001 certificate. To maintain this, it is necessary to carry out regular internal audits and periodic assessments by the certification body.

2. NIST 800-53

Unlike ISO 27001, NIST 800-53 does not provide any formal certification. However, it can be used to conduct a self-assessment of compliance with standards or as part of the federal system accreditation and authorization process (in the United States).

3. OWASP

OWASP also doesn’t provide formal certification, but they give tools and guidance for auditing and verifying the security of web applications. They also offer some educational courses and certifications for security professionals.

4. PCI DSS

• Level definition: Determine the level of your organization based on the volume of payment card processing per year.
• Compliance requirements: The PCI DSS standard consists of 12 basic requirements that must be followed.
• Self-assessment: Complete the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and conduct a vulnerability scan (if required).
• Certification compliance requirements (AOC): Confirm compliance and receive an AOC.

5. CIS Benchmarks

CIS doesn’t provide formal certification for individual systems, but their benchmarks can be used as part of your organization's overall certification or accreditation process.

4. How does Testing Ensure Compliance with Security Standards?

Security testing is a tool that ensures that a software product meets stated standards. This is the process by which QA professionals identify and eliminate potential security threats.

Security testing includes various activities such as penetration testing, vulnerability testing, code auditing, and more. The results of these tests help identify and correct vulnerabilities and security issues, which in turn leads to improved protection and compliance with security standards.

Here's how testing helps ensure compliance with security standards:

1. Identification of vulnerabilities: Testing identifies a variety of vulnerabilities, from simple code errors to complex system-level attacks. This includes penetration testing, static (SAST) and dynamic (DAST) application security testing.

2. Compliance check: Testing allows you to verify that a system or application meets all the requirements of security standards, such as OWASP Top 10 for web applications or PCI DSS for systems that process payment card data.

3. Risk assessment: During the testing process, you can conduct a risk assessment, determining how likely the vulnerability will be exploited and how much damage it could cause.

4. Security improvements:Based on testing results, developers can improve system security by fixing vulnerabilities and improving security measures.

5. Maintaining Security:Security testing should be an ongoing process that continues after product launch to account for the emergence of new threats and vulnerabilities.

Together, these activities help ensure that products and systems meet security standards, are resilient to threats, and are protected from attacks.

Conclusion

Security standards and certification play an important role in software development. They ensure product reliability and security, which is important for both developers and end users. While security testing is a key element in achieving compliance with these standards and obtaining certification.

If you are interested in guaranteeing the safety of your product and its compliance with international standards, contact us! Cherish DEV has years of experience and proven techniques to help you achieve your software security goals.