Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is primarily focused on what aspect of a software product?

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) focuses primarily on testing applications in an operating environment while they are running. This approach allows security professionals to identify vulnerabilities that may arise during real-time operation, including issues related to authentication, session management, and input validation. DAST tools simulate actual attacks on a running application, assessing its responses and behavior, which enables the detection of vulnerabilities that might not be visible in static code analysis.

This dynamic testing process contrasts with static analysis, which inspects the source code without executing it. While user interface evaluations can play a role in application security, the essence of DAST is to probe the application’s functionality and security posture in a live environment. Project management is unrelated to the direct security testing of applications. Thus, the emphasis of DAST on executing tests within an operational context makes it a crucial element in identifying and mitigating security risks that users may encounter during actual usage.