Security Testing in the Cloud – What to know
Tags: testing, qatesting, softwaretesting
Published: 2020-01-06 11:14:32

<b>Summary:</b>

<i>"Most of the enterprises with their latest application technologies are preferring Cloud as their hosting environment. The main reason for shifting the application to Cloud is to mitigate risk and public cloud providers offer many resources for protecting against threats. Security is a great need for every application as it carries sensitive and important data. In order to protect the user’s data from any malware, it is essential for every enterprise to follow Cloud-based application security testing practices. With Cloud security testing, it becomes easier to validate the data threats, identify the potential vulnerabilities if any and maintain the quality of the application."</i>


Cloud computing is a platform wherein a user can store their information and access it anywhere by connecting to the internet. The feature of availing information or data on the internet irrespective of the location and device is one of the best features achieved with Cloud. At the same time there is an increased possibility of data-being attacked by hackers. Hence, to avoid any data thefts and protect the information stored on the cloud, it is important to adopt the practices of cloud-based security testing.

Cloud-based security testing is a new testing practice that is relatively different from traditional testing practice. The traditional application testing works with on-premises tools and is much suitable while performing application’s in-depth analysis in order to find the medium to high level risks of the application security. 

While, in the cloud-based security testing, the application will be tested by a scanner or a tool that is hosted in the cloud; and the cloud infrastructure is the best fit for the enterprises targeting results for large application base Further, it helps to find the low to medium level risks of the application and is more suitable for the enterprises which are following strict budgets within specific time periods. 

Considering the various impacts, most of the enterprises in the present competitive business world are hosting their applications in a Cloud-based environment to protect and secure from any critical data loss. However, before adapting to the cloud-based environment, it is essential for an enterprise to verify if they have the required elements which are important for cloud-based security environment.

<h1><b>5 Important Elements to be considered for Cloud-based Security Testing</b></h1>

<b>Progress Scalability:</b> 

While planning to implement cloud-based security testing, it is important to have good scalability. With less scalability, the application testing can seek obstruction and it may adversely affect the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of the application. Hence, it is important to have the required scalability.

<b>Availability of teams globally:</b> 

If a project requires teams at different global locations, then the teams have to work together with the features of common dashboard. This will help to work with collaboration and find solutions.

<b>Scanner for performing quality scans:</b> 

For your cloud-based security testing, a scanner should be enabled to perform quality scans and identify the false negatives and false positives.

<b>Ability to run faster parallel scans:</b>

During the cloud-based security testing practice, the scanner should achieve faster outputs and run parallel scans. This is efficiently needed when it is practices in an agile methodology.

<b>Cost-Effectiveness:</b> 

The practices of cloud-based security testing reduces your testing costs and increases your Return on Investment (ROI). Improper use of the test environment can gradually increase the costs. Hence, to avoid such expenses, testing tools and parallel tests have to be monitored by implementing a proper test plan.

<b>What are the benefits of Cloud-based Security testing?</b>

The practice of Cloud-based security testing is a continuous process to improve an application’s efficiency, achieve quicker ROI, identify cyber-threats, etc.

*The practice efficiently increases the security of the application from hackers 
*Cloud-based security testing prevents the data from getting stolen by hackers
*It helps in preventing the unexpected expenses 
*With the use of Cloud-based security testing practices, you can achieve quicker *ROI Cloud-based security testing prevents the loss of any brand reputation and maintains confidence in the users

<b>Conclusion:</b>

The present competitive market is seeking a tremendous change in the application features and their demand among users. Cloud Computing is one of the on-demand resources which helps users in accessing the data from any device with a proper internet connection. Since the internet acts as the medium for obtaining the data; there are many possibilities for the data to get hacked or stolen. Hence, to avoid such scenarios, it is essential to follow cloud-based security testing practices. Leverage Cloud Security Testing services from a QA service provider for identifying the threats and potential vulnerabilities of the application.

<b>About the Author:</b>

I am a technical content writer, writing articles on the latest IT related topics. In this article, I have shared my views on Cloud-based security testing; the important elements to be considered before choosing security testing, and its benefits.