Websites and apps are increasingly under attack, so effective web application security must be a top priority.

Web application security is a branch of Information Security that deals specifically with security of websites, web applications and web services. At a high level, Web application security draws on the principles of application security but applies them specifically to Internet and Web systems. Web Security is a cross-functional concern a bit like Performance. And a bit unlike Performance. Like Performance, our business owners often know they need Security, but aren’t always sure how to quantify it. Unlike Performance, they often don’t know “secure enough” when they see it.

Web application security flaws. Sadly, the list is little changed from previous years, showing that those responsible for application design and development are still failing to address known and well-documented errors. Many of the most common Web app vulnerabilities are so widespread that crimeware kits feature search-and-exploit tools targeting them, making it trivial for even novice attackers to exploit these flaws.

The aim of Web application security is to identify the following:

• Critical assets of the organization
• Genuine users who may access the data
• Level of access provided to each user
• Various vulnerabilities that may exist in the application
• Data criticality and risk analysis on data exposure
• Appropriate remediation measures

Why you need web app security?

Your website is your brand, your storefront, and often your first contact with customers. If it’s not safe and secure, those critical business relationships can be compromised. The threats can come in many forms – infecting a website with malware in order to spread that malware to site visitors, stealing customer information through software, like names and email addresses, stealing credit card and other transaction information, adding the website to a botnet of infected sites, and even hijacking or crashing the site.An unprotected website is a security risk to customers, other businesses, and public/government sites. It allows for the spread and escalation of malware, attacks on other websites, and even attacks against national targets and infrastructure.

Inside web application attacks

The method of successfully phishing a user, installing malware, and remotely controlling the infected computer without anyone noticing did not have a very high success rate. In addition, finding the data to steal required time, and the longer an attacker remained in a network, it increased their chances of being caught.

As a result, attackers began to shift their focus to exploiting web application security vulnerabilities. These attacks are significantly more efficient and effective.

The future of web app security

Because attackers are exploiting web application security vulnerabilities to gain access to private data, organizations must go to even greater lengths to protect websites and apps than they do to protect their computers and other network-connected devices.

As more organizations move their websites and apps to the cloud, web application security will only get more crucial — and complex. Cloud-based security technologies, such as web application firewalls, can help protect websites, apps, and the data stored behind them, regardless of where they’re hosted.

-By Aman Gautam