A security tool box comes with a number of static code analysis tools that might seem similar in the beginning but genuinely serve various purposes. Let’s understand this by the example of buying a house.
Purchasing a home happens to be interesting as it forces a customer to take a glance at everything that he or she might have taken for granted. For example, while packing your tools for the preparation for moving, you might realise that you have eight varied hammers in your toolbox. Similar to the tools in your physical toolbox, a static code analysis tool might stand out from the rest that you initially might not pay regard to serving numerous purposes.
Every static application security testing in your tool box will be different. Comparing such tools directly is not a matter of choosing the ideal one. Rather, it is a procedure of discovering which tool works the best for you. Before looking for new tools, make sure to ask yourself the following questions to shape your choice.
1. Will the tool support your language?
if you happen to be operating a PHP development operation, choosing a code analysis tool for Sales force would not make much sense. Some languages only support tools related to the same. On the other hand, there are languages that only support commercial tools. Some organisations come with a variety of programming languages that they utilize in-house. Concerning the same, purchasing one commercial tool able to scan 35 of the most common programming languages can make sense. Organisational developers might also specialise in a particular language and might discover better support from open source offerings.
2. Is the tool geared towards teams, enterprises, or individuals?
As far as static code review is concerned, enterprise teams and support tools in corporate features that one might never understand until they get it at their disposal. A particular code scanner might generate results just as good as enterprise-level tools. But, they also can fall short when attempting to trace vulnerabilities across groups, facilitating peer review as well as providing metrics.
Based on how immense your security operation is, spending extra concerning centralised scanning repositories might be worthwhile. At particular scales, lacking connectivity with the central database server might disqualify also salesforce code from deployment.
3. How will the tool be run?
A static code analysis tool might operate best when provided with a detailed source code and libraries needed to build an app. It might also take hours to operate and required to be operated from outside of the usual development procedure or as a portion of a job on an automatic server. Therefore, understanding the operating process of the tool is essential before choosing a particular one for organisations.
With that being stated, periodic scans can provide coverage over the whole app. Finding vulnerabilities that emerge as information can be also traced through applications. But, when a scan is conducted for the first time, they might generate thousands of false results. This requires filtration followed by subsequent scans, thereby indicating a cost increase. it is because there remains a delay within the security vulnerability coding time and resolving time.
For closing the feedback loop linked with periodic scans, some static tools operated on the developers workstation should either be operated before the developer checks back into the repository or they enter the code into their system. The real-time code scanning process might also miss some information related issues. but it comes with a better learning experience helping developers to stop writing vulnerabilities collectively. There is only one downside that these real time solutions might not be perfect for scanning legal applications.
4. Will it fit into your budget?
It is essential to consider the budget and focus on security. but finding the perfect security tool might cause more than the annual security budget and it might lead to disheartening you. But, patching a solution of tools collectively for providing adequate coverage is not inexpensive either. Having numerous tools indicates providing a widespread assortment of training and dealing with numerous reports in formats. It is one of those complexities that requires time and might not be apparent in tiny operations with only some projects, but only can change while the company keeps on growing.
With that being stated, when the time and training costs turn out to be noticeable, it might be worthwhile to purchase a licence or support contract for receiving those resources back. Moreover, it additionally might not signify as advisable to purchase the most expensive scanning tool as quickly as a purchase is needed. Purchasing the less inexpensive tool that provides value and importance might support real gains when it comes to security minded organisations.
5. Do you want an open source or commercial scanning tool?
When it comes to taking a decision regarding software security tools, the open vs closed scanning software often comes into existence. Rather than rolling out a particular category or another, discover a software that matches your requirements, environment, budget as well as working style. After these demands are met, you can think about the type of licensing.
In case you happen to discover an open source software that supports your language or is efficient enough to not restrict operations and comes with acceptable manpower charges linked with support as time passes on, an open source software might be the ideal choice for you. Contrarily, you might pick a commercial solution or a closed source software.
Wrapping up
Choosing the best static code analysis tool for your job does not always mean choosing a winner among the open and closed source software debate. Instead, it highlights evaluating your stakeholder, software and organisational requirements and then choosing the ideal solution that might work effectively and efficiently towards resolving your company security problems. Therefore, make sure to ask yourself the above mentioned five questions for being clear on your as well as the organisational part when it comes to choosing a software based on security, price and various other factors.
