Product Overview: HCL AppScan
HCL AppScan is a comprehensive application security testing platform designed to help software developers, security experts, and organizations identify, remediate, and manage vulnerabilities across various stages of the application development lifecycle.
What HCL AppScan Does
HCL AppScan is a suite of tools that leverages advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and multiple scanning techniques to ensure the security and compliance of web applications, APIs, mobile apps, and desktop applications. The platform is engineered to integrate security testing into the development process, thereby reducing the risk of costly data breaches and enhancing overall security posture.
Key Features and Functionality
Scanning Techniques
- Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): HCL AppScan Standard and AppScan Enterprise offer DAST capabilities, which involve testing applications and APIs for vulnerabilities while they are running. This method is particularly effective for identifying issues in real-time environments.
- Static Application Security Testing (SAST): AppScan Source and AppScan Enterprise provide SAST, analyzing source code early in the development process to detect vulnerabilities before the application is deployed. This approach significantly reduces false positives and streamlines the remediation process.
- Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST): Available in AppScan Enterprise, IAST combines elements of both DAST and SAST to provide a more comprehensive view of application security during runtime.
- Software Composition Analysis (SCA): AppScan on Cloud includes SCA, which helps in identifying vulnerabilities in open-source components used within the application.
Advanced Capabilities
- Machine Learning and Intelligent Analytics: HCL AppScan Source uses Intelligent Finding Analytics (IFA) and Intelligent Code Analytics (ICA) to reduce false positives by up to 98%, ensuring that critical issues are prioritized and addressed efficiently.
- Action-Based Technology: AppScan Standard employs unique action-based technology and thousands of built-in tests to ensure accurate crawl coverage and testing of complex applications, including single-page applications and JSON-based REST APIs.
Integration and Automation
- IDE and CI/CD Integration: AppScan Source integrates seamlessly with Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), build management tools, and Defect Tracking Systems (DTS), automating security testing within the development workflow.
- Incremental Scanning: AppScan Standard allows for incremental scanning, focusing on new or changed parts of the application to save time and resources.
Reporting and Compliance
- Comprehensive Reporting: HCL AppScan provides extensive reporting capabilities, including over 40 compliance templates, such as PCI, HIPAA, OWASP Top 10, and more. This helps organizations meet regulatory requirements and maintain compliance.
- Customization and Extensibility: The platform offers customization options through the AppScan eXtension Framework and direct integration into existing systems using the AppScan SDK.
Deployment Options
- On-Premises and Cloud: HCL AppScan is available in various editions, including on-premises solutions like AppScan Source and AppScan Enterprise, as well as cloud-based options like AppScan on Cloud, which allows for scanning without any software installation.
Editions
- AppScan Standard: A DAST desktop tool for security experts and pen-testers to test web applications and APIs.
- AppScan Source: An on-premises SAST tool for early-stage vulnerability detection in source code.
- AppScan Enterprise: A scalable solution offering SAST, DAST, IAST, and risk-management capabilities.
- AppScan on Cloud: A cloud-based suite providing SAST, DAST, IAST, and SCA for web, mobile, and desktop applications.
In summary, HCL AppScan is a robust application security testing platform that offers a range of scanning techniques, advanced analytics, and integration capabilities to ensure the security, compliance, and integrity of applications throughout their development lifecycle.