AppSec

AppSec, short for application security, is the set of practices, processes, and tools aimed at protecting software applications from threats across their entire lifecycle. It covers the security of application code, third‑party components, configurations, and data handling, as well as the methods used to design, build, test, deploy, and operate software.

The goal of AppSec is to reduce risk by preventing vulnerabilities, detecting issues early, and enabling safe operation in production. Effective AppSec integrates security into the software development lifecycle and across the production environment, balancing speed and security through governance, metrics, and continuous improvement.

Key activities include threat modeling during design, secure coding and code reviews, software composition analysis and SBOM management, vulnerability management, and security testing such as static analysis (SAST), dynamic analysis (DAST), and interactive testing (IAST). Runtime protection options like runtime application self-protection (RASP) and Web Application Firewalls (WAF) complement testing by defending live applications. Supply chain security and dependency risk are addressed through component analysis and governance.

Standards and frameworks guide verification and prioritization. OWASP produces the ASVS (Application Security Verification Standard) and the OWASP Top Ten, while organizations often reference NIST guidelines and ISO/IEC 27034 for governance and process integration. Tools span vulnerability scanners, SCA solutions, and monitoring platforms to support ongoing risk management.

In practice, AppSec is commonly integrated into DevOps as DevSecOps, emphasizing cross‑functional collaboration among developers, security professionals, and operations, with security champions, regular risk assessment, and measurable remediation cycles.