Dynamic application security testing (DAST) is best described as what type of test?

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is best characterized as a black-box test, which refers to a method where the tester evaluates the application’s security from an external perspective without any knowledge of the internal workings of the application. This approach involves interacting with the application through its user interface and observing its behavior to identify vulnerabilities.

In a black-box testing scenario, the tester does not have access to the source code, architecture, or underlying structures of the software. This aligns perfectly with how DAST operates, as it analyzes applications in a running state, checking for issues like input validation errors, authentication flaws, or session management weaknesses through simulated attacks.

Understanding DAST as a black-box testing method is crucial for effective security assessments, as it mimics how attackers would attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in a live environment, without needing insights into the codebase or system infrastructure.