In today‘s digital landscape, web applications are critical for business operations. However, they also introduce significant security risks if not properly tested and secured. Recent statistics paint a concerning picture:
- 75% of web applications scanned by Positive Technologies in 2020 contained vulnerabilities
- 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, typically exploiting web app security flaws
- Average cost of a data breach has risen to $4.35 million (IBM)
Clearly, continuous web application security testing is essential for organizations of all sizes. But with limited budgets and skills, many struggle to adequately assess vulnerabilities, address risks, and meet compliance standards.
This review provides a comprehensive look at Astra Pentest – an automated web penetration testing solution aimed at making web app sec simpler and more efficient.
The Web Application Security Landscape
Before diving into Astra Pentest‘s capabilities, let‘s briefly examine the web application security landscape and key concepts:
Common Web App Vulnerabilities
The most common web application vulnerabilities include:
- Injection attacks like SQLi and OS command injection
- Broken authentication due to weak credentials or session management
- Sensitive data exposure via improper encryption
- Cross-site scripting (XSS) enabling injection of malicious scripts
- Broken access controls allowing unauthorized access to functionality
Many more like CSRF, insecure config, business logic flaws exist. Attackers actively scan for and seek to exploit these vulnerabilities.
Penetration Testing Types
To uncover vulnerabilities in web apps, organizations use:
Automated scanning tools – Fast and comprehensive but can have false positives.
Manual testing – Simulates real attacks but time-consuming and intermittent.
Hybrid approach – Combines automated and manual testing for optimal coverage.
The Need for Continuous Assessment
With frequent code updates, new vulnerabilities can get introduced anytime. Hence, testing needs to be continuous instead of a one-time activity.
Integrations with developer workflows (CI/CD pipelines) enable embedding security checks into the SDLC for consistent feedback.
Now let‘s examine how Astra Pentest helps tackle these challenges.
Astra Pentest Overview
Astra Pentest is an automated web application security testing platform, offered by Astra Security. It combines powerful scanning capabilities with manual testing and prioritization of vulnerabilities.
The solution caters to companies across healthcare, finance, ecommerce, blockchain and other sectors. Customers include SpiceJet, Dream11, Agora and over 8000 businesses.
It aims to make web app sec simpler via features like:
- Automated + expert-led manual testing
- CI/CD and tools integration
- Contextual prioritization of risks
- Compliance reporting for standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001
- Collaborative remediation with standardized templates
- Public penetration testing certificates
Next, let‘s examine some of these capabilities in more detail.
Key Features and Benefits
Astra Pentest provides a comprehensive feature set spanning automated scanning, manual testing, DevSecOps integrations, compliance visibility and vulnerability management.
1. Automated Vulnerability Scanning
The pentest tool automatically tests web apps using over 8000 vulnerability checks. It can reliably scan complex, authenticated sites – ideal for SaaS businesses.
The automated scanner:
- Discovers security flaws like SQLi, XSS, insecure config
- Assigns risk levels based on severity, exploitability
- Integrates with CI/CD pipelines for continuous feedback
- Provides detailed reports including remediation guidance
2. Manual Testing by Security Experts
In addition to the scanner, Astra‘s security researchers manually test sites mimicking real-world attacks.
This expert testing focuses on understanding business logic, authentication flows and uncovering logical vulnerabilities missed by automation. Customers get expert guidance on remediation as well.
Such hybrid testing ensures optimal vulnerability coverage with minimal false positives.
3. Developer Integrations
Astra Pentest provides native Jira integration and CI/CD integrations with GitHub, GitLab, CircleCI and more.
This allows automatically raising tickets for developers on finding vulnerabilities. Embedding security checks in CI pipelines provides consistent feedback pre and post deployment.
4. Contextual Prioritization of Risks
The platform uses multiple risk factors like threat actor trends, vulnerability details, business context and compliance needs to intelligently prioritize findings.
Teams can then focus remediation efforts on addressing critical risks first.
5. Compliance Frameworks Coverage
The solution offers pre-configured test cases and reporting tailored to compliance standards like SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS and HIPAA.
This helps streamline audit preparation and get visibility into controls coverage.
6. Collaborative Remediation
Users can discuss findings, assign tasks and track remediation progress directly within the Astra Pentest dashboard.
Standardized vulnerability description templates facilitate smooth hand-off. Shared context aids efficient collaboration between security team and developers.
7. Public Penetration Certificates
Astra Pentest provides publicly shareable certificates validating completion of penetration testing after each assessment.
These certs build customer trust and help meet compliance requirements mandating evidence of testing.
Customer Success Stories
Industry leaders across technology, healthcare, fintech and other verticals rely on Astra Pentest for securing critical web applications:
- Rebrandly – URL shortening service with 500,000+ customers – uses Astra for continuous vulnerability monitoring across its web properties and APIs.
- Agora powers real-time engagement for social, education and healthcare sites with 50+ billion minutes of usage per year. Astra Pentest helps ensure security of their global service infrastructure.
- SpiceJet – Leading Indian budget airline serving over 15 million fliers uses Astra‘s automated scanning integrated with their CI/CD pipelines.
Hundreds of fast-growing startups and enterprises trust Astra Pentest to help identify and close security gaps before they get exploited.
User reviews validate Astra‘s industry-leading product capabilities, top-notch support and transparent operations. It is recognized as a "leader" in G2‘s web app sec testing category.
How to Select a Web Security Testing Vendor
Pen testing tools see rapid innovation. When evaluating options, consider aspects like:
Breadth of checks – Higher the better with 8000+ being ideal
Authenticated scanning – Necessary for modern web apps
DevSecOps integration – Enables embedding security into development lifecycle
Prioritization – Helps focus on critical risks first
Clear remediation guidance – Quicker fixing of flaws
Compliance mapping – Important for regulated sectors
Hybrid testing – Balance of automation + manual for optimal coverage
Collaborative workflows – Allows coordination between security and dev teams
Customer support – Vital for a security product
Pricing model – Predictable monthly plans work better than variable pay-per-use pricing
The Verdict on Astra Pentest
Astra Pentest simplifies tackling today‘s complex web application security challenges via powerful scanning, expert manual testing and intuitive workflows.
It brings together capabilities like automated + manual assessments, CI/CD integration, compliance visibility, programmable APIs and more onto a unified cloud platform. Flexible plans make advanced app sec accessible for lean startups and large enterprises alike.
For organizations struggling with piecemeal web penetration testing solutions, Astra Pentest promises a compelling holistic and cost-effective alternative well worth evaluating.
