1. Introduction: Why SAST and DAST Matter in DevSecOps
Security threats grow every year. IBM’s latest cybersecurity report shows that the average cost of a data breach is now over $4.4 million globally. Many breaches occur because of simple coding errors, unsafe third-party packages, misconfigured APIs, or weak authentication systems. The faster developers find these issues, the cheaper they are to fix.
DevSecOps shifts security left. Teams test early. Teams test often. Teams use tools that run automatically inside CI/CD pipelines. This helps developers fix issues before code reaches production.
SAST and DAST lead this shift:
SAST checks source code for vulnerabilities before the app runs.
DAST checks running applications for exploitable weaknesses.
Both approaches create a full security view from development to deployment.
When learners join DevSecOps training and certification, they spend a lot of time understanding how SAST and DAST fit into real pipelines. When professionals prepare for AWS DevSecOps certification, they explore how these tools integrate with AWS CodeBuild, CodePipeline, and cloud services. And when engineers join devops engineer training, they learn how to automate these tools end-to-end.
Before you learn how to use SAST and DAST, you must understand how each one works.
**2. What Is SAST?
(Static Application Security Testing)**
SAST checks the application’s source code, bytecode, or binary without running the application. It finds vulnerabilities early in the development phase.
2.1 What SAST Does
SAST tools scan the code to detect:
SQL Injection
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Hardcoded passwords
Unsafe API usage
Buffer overflows
Insecure database queries
Weak encryption
Authorization errors
Logic flaws
SAST helps developers fix risky patterns before they commit code to production.
2.2 Real-World Example of SAST
Imagine a Python developer writes:
query = "SELECT * FROM customers WHERE id = " + user_input
cursor.execute(query)
A SAST tool will flag this code as vulnerable to SQL Injection and suggest parameterized queries like:
cursor.execute("SELECT * FROM customers WHERE id = %s", (user_input,))
SAST tools catch such problems instantly.
2.3 Benefits of SAST
Finds vulnerabilities early
Reduces cost of fixing errors
Runs automatically in CI
Helps maintain secure coding standards
Provides detailed code-level insights
2.4 Limitations of SAST
Cannot detect vulnerabilities that appear only at runtime
May produce false positives
Requires access to source code
Still, SAST is a must-have for every DevSecOps pipeline.
**3. What Is DAST?
(Dynamic Application Security Testing)**
DAST tests the application while it is running. It simulates attacks to identify exploitable weaknesses.
3.1 What DAST Does
DAST tools test real-time behaviors like:
Authentication issues
Session management flaws
Input validation failures
Broken access controls
Server misconfigurations
API route vulnerabilities
OWASP Top 10 attacks
DAST does not need source code. It tests the application from the outside, just like a real attacker.
3.2 Real-World Example of DAST
A DAST tool might simulate the following attack on a running website:
https://example.com/login?username=admin' OR '1'='1
If the site responds incorrectly or reveals internal information, the tool marks the login system as insecure.
3.3 Benefits of DAST
Tests real-world attack scenarios
Finds runtime vulnerabilities
Works with any language or platform
Identifies misconfigurations
3.4 Limitations of DAST
Cannot pinpoint the exact code causing the issue
Requires a deployed environment
Harder to automate compared to SAST
DAST complements SAST by providing runtime visibility.
4. Why DevSecOps Needs Both SAST and DAST
DevSecOps is strongest when teams use both approaches.
Feature SAST DAST
Tests code Yes No
Tests running app No Yes
Stage of testing Early Late
Finds logical flaws Yes Limited
Finds runtime issues No Yes
CI/CD integration Easy Moderate
Coverage Deep code analysis Wide runtime analysis
A healthy DevSecOps pipeline uses SAST in the coding phase and DAST in the deployment phase.
This creates full 360° security.
5. How SAST Fits into DevSecOps Pipelines
SAST integrates early in the development cycle.
5.1 Where SAST Runs
During local code development
During pull requests
During CI build
During code merging
During code reviews
5.2 Example SAST Workflow in CI
Developer commits code
CI triggers SAST scan
SAST detects vulnerabilities
Pipeline blocks merge if severity is high
Developer fixes issues
Merge approves after rescan
This helps companies maintain strong security standards.
6. How DAST Fits into DevSecOps Pipelines
DAST integrates later when the app is running.
6.1 Where DAST Runs
In staging
In QA
In test environments
In pre-production
As part of nightly scans
6.2 Example DAST Workflow in CI/CD
CI deploys application to a test server
DAST runs automated security scans
Tool identifies runtime vulnerabilities
Alerts notify DevSecOps teams
Teams fix misconfigurations
Pipeline approves production release
DAST protects against real-world attacks before launch.
7. Hands-On Code Example for SAST and DAST Understanding
7.1 Vulnerable Code Sample
app.get('/search', function(req, res) {
const query = "SELECT * FROM products WHERE name = '" + req.query.name + "'";
db.query(query, function(err, result) {
res.send(result);
});
});
What SAST Detects
Unsafe SQL string concatenation
Missing input validation
What DAST Detects
App allows name=' OR '1'='1
App exposes product list without authentication
This simple example shows why companies use both tools.
8. Real-World Case Studies Supporting SAST and DAST Adoption
Case Study 1: Financial Company
A global bank integrated SAST and reduced code vulnerabilities by 70% within 6 months. Developers fixed issues immediately after each commit.
Case Study 2: E-Commerce Brand
A retail site added DAST scanning to detect runtime session hijacking risks. This lowered security incidents by 42% within one year.
Case Study 3: Healthcare SaaS Provider
A healthcare platform used both tools and achieved complete OWASP Top 10 coverage across all release cycles.
These success stories motivate learners in DevSecOps training and certification programs to master SAST and DAST installations.
9. Industry Tools for SAST and DAST (High-Level Overview)
Below are commonly used tools (without promoting any platforms):
Popular SAST Tools
SonarQube
Checkmarx
Fortify SCA
Veracode SAST
Bandit (Python)
ESLint Security Plugins
Popular DAST Tools
OWASP ZAP
Burp Suite
AppScan
Acunetix
Netsparker
These tools often appear in devops engineer training, devops training online, and devops training and certification programs.
10. Step-by-Step Tutorial: Implementing SAST and DAST in a DevSecOps Pipeline
Below is an example using GitHub Actions and OWASP tools.
10.1 Step-by-Step: Adding SAST (Using Semgrep or SonarQube)
1. Add a SAST workflow file
name: SAST Scan
on: [push]
jobs:
sast:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v2
- name: Run SAST Scan
uses: returntocorp/semgrep-action@v1
2. Pipeline blocks if issues are severe
Teams fix issues before merging.
10.2 Step-by-Step: Adding DAST (Using OWASP ZAP)
1. Create a DAST workflow
name: DAST Scan
on: [push]
jobs:
dast:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- name: OWASP ZAP Scan
uses: zaproxy/action-full-scan@v0.4.0
with:
target: "http://staging.myapp.com"
2. Reports show runtime vulnerabilities
This helps DevSecOps teams fix production-like issues.
11. SAST and DAST Skills Required for DevSecOps Careers
Companies hire DevSecOps engineers who understand:
Automated SAST + DAST pipelines
CI/CD integrations
Cloud security scanning
Code security standards
Secure coding practices
API testing
OWASP Top 10
These skills are part of DevSecOps training, DevSecOps training and certification, and AWS DevSecOps certification.
If learners want hands-on guidance, H2K Infosys offers structured programs with real-time project support.
12. How H2K Infosys Helps You Master DevSecOps Skills
H2K Infosys provides real-world DevSecOps training that includes hands-on SAST and DAST automation.
Learners preparing for AWS DevSecOps certification follow project-based learning modules at H2K Infosys.
H2K Infosys also helps learners build resume-ready DevSecOps pipelines using modern tools.
13. Key Takeaways
SAST checks source code early in development.
DAST tests the running application for real-time threats.
Both are essential parts of DevSecOps pipelines.
SAST reduces cost by catching vulnerabilities early.
DAST reduces risk by finding runtime weaknesses.
DevSecOps requires automated SAST and DAST in CI/CD.
These skills support strong careers through DevSecOps training and certification paths.
Conclusion
Start learning DevSecOps skills today and build your expertise in SAST and DAST. Enroll in practical hands-on training and take the next step toward a secure and successful tech career.
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