What is Contrast Security and use cases of Contrast Security?

What is Contrast Security?

Contrast Security is a comprehensive application security (AppSec) platform that helps organizations secure their applications throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC), from code development to runtime protection. It acts as a shield against vulnerabilities, offering a diverse range of tools and services to:

• Prevent vulnerabilities: Identify and fix security flaws early in the code development process through various analysis techniques.
• Protect applications: Monitor applications in real-time and actively defend against cyberattacks and exploits.
• Manage risk: Prioritize vulnerabilities based on severity and exploitability, optimizing remediation efforts.
• Comply with regulations: Demonstrate adherence to industry security standards and data privacy regulations.

Top 10 use cases of Contrast Security?

Top 10 Use Cases of Contrast Security:

1. Static Application Security Testing (SAST): Analyzes source code for vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and insecure coding practices, preventing them from manifesting later.
2. Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST): Monitors deployed applications for real-time suspicious activity and attack attempts, providing immediate insights into potential threats.
3. Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP): Embeds security controls directly within applications for real-time threat detection and automatic mitigation, acting as an internal security guard.
4. Software Composition Analysis (SCA): Identifies and manages security risks within open-source and third-party software dependencies, ensuring your applications are built on a secure foundation.
5. API Security: Protects your APIs from unauthorized access, vulnerabilities, and malicious attacks.
6. Serverless Application Security: Monitors and secures serverless applications and their associated resources.
7. DevSecOps Integration: Seamlessly integrates with development workflows and CI/CD pipelines to weave security testing throughout the SDLC, promoting continuous security practices.
8. Vulnerability Management: Provides centralized tracking and prioritization of vulnerabilities, streamlining remediation efforts and ensuring timely fixes.
9. Compliance Management: Simplifies compliance with industry regulations like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR by providing tools and reports that demonstrate your security posture.
10. Threat Intelligence: Leverages the latest threat intelligence to stay ahead of evolving cyberattacks and prioritize vulnerabilities based on their relevance to current threats.

Contrast Security offers a comprehensive and adaptable solution for organizations of all sizes to build and maintain secure applications. If you’re looking to:

• Reduce your attack surface
• Minimize security risks
• Build trusted and reliable applications
• Comply with data privacy regulations

Contrast Security can be a valuable partner in your AppSec journey.

What are the feature of Contrast Security?

Contrast Security boasts a diverse and powerful set of features designed to comprehensively address your application security needs across the SDLC. Following is a closer look at some key highlights:

Vulnerability Detection and Analysis:

• SAST (Static Application Security Testing): Scans source code for vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and insecure coding practices, helping prevent them early on.
• IAST (Interactive Application Security Testing): Monitors deployed applications for suspicious activity and attack attempts in real-time, providing immediate insights into potential threats.
• RASP (Runtime Application Self-Protection): Embeds security controls within applications for real-time threat detection and automatic mitigation, acting as an internal security guard.
• SCA (Software Composition Analysis): Identifies and manages security risks within open-source and third-party software dependencies, ensuring secure foundations for your applications.
• API Security: Scans and protects your APIs from unauthorized access, vulnerabilities, and malicious attacks.
• Serverless Application Security: Monitors and secures serverless applications and their associated resources.

Vulnerability Management and Prioritization:

• Centralized Vulnerability Tracking: Provides a single pane of glass to track all identified vulnerabilities across your applications.
• Vulnerability Prioritization: Analyzes vulnerabilities based on severity, exploitability, and business impact, helping you focus on the most critical issues first.
• Remediation Guidance: Offers clear and actionable steps for fixing vulnerabilities, with detailed reports and resources to empower developers.

DevSecOps Integration and Automation:

• Seamless Integration with Development Tools: Plugs into popular IDEs, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps workflows, making security testing an integral part of the development process.
• Automated Scanning and Reporting: Schedules automated scans, generates reports, and tracks progress, streamlining security practices and minimizing manual effort.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Compliance Management: Simplifies adherence to industry regulations like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR by providing tools and reports that demonstrate your security posture.
• Customizable Dashboards and Reports: Create custom dashboards and reports to visualize security data in a way that suits your specific needs and provides stakeholders with clear insights.

Additional Features:

• Threat Intelligence: Leverages the latest threat intelligence to stay ahead of evolving cyberattacks and prioritize vulnerabilities based on their relevance to current threats.
• Security Education and Training: Equips developers and security teams with the knowledge and best practices to build secure applications and address security challenges effectively.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Adapts to diverse application types and development environments, catering to organizations of all sizes.

Contrast Security offers a potent combination of features to meet your AppSec needs. Whether you’re a developer, security professional, or business leader, Contrast can empower you to build and maintain secure applications with confidence.

How Contrast Security works and Architecture?

Contrast Security boasts an innovative architecture aimed at providing deep-seated application security throughout the software lifecycle. Here’s a breakdown of its key elements and processes:

Components:

• Contrast Platform: The central hub that orchestrates all security analyses, stores data, and manages workflows. It includes:
  • Sensors: Embedded agents or API connectors that monitor applications in real-time.
  • Agents: Installed on servers to analyze application execution and runtime behavior.
  • API Connectors: Integrate with APIs to assess security posture and data flows.
  • Database: Stores information about applications, vulnerabilities, and analysis results.
  • Workflow Engine: Automates tasks like scan scheduling, reporting, and vulnerability tracking.
  • User Interface: Provides access to tools, reports, and security insights.
• Applications: Your code, deployed systems, and APIs that Contrast assesses.
• Analysis Tools: Different tools handle specific tasks:
  • SAST: Analyzes source code for vulnerabilities in various programming languages.
  • IAST: Monitors deployed applications for suspicious activity and attack attempts.
  • RASP: Embeds security controls within applications for real-time threat detection and mitigation.
  • SCA: Analyzes dependencies for known vulnerabilities and license compliance issues.
  • API Security: Scans and protects APIs from unauthorized access and vulnerabilities.
• Vulnerability Management: After analysis, vulnerabilities are identified and classified based on severity and risk. Contrast offers features like:
  • Prioritization: Ranking vulnerabilities based on potential impact and exploitability.
  • Remediation guidance: Providing developers with clear steps to fix vulnerabilities.
  • Tracking and reporting: Monitoring progress towards resolving vulnerabilities.

Architecture Benefits:

• Real-time monitoring: IAST and RASP provide continuous protection against attacks and suspicious activity.
• In-depth analysis: Combines various analysis methods for a comprehensive view of application security risks.
• Automated processes: Automates scans, reporting, and remediation tasks for faster execution and reduced manual effort.
• DevSecOps integration: Seamlessly integrates into development workflows for secure coding practices.
• API security focus: Dedicated analysis and protection for your APIs, a critical attack surface.

In essence, Contrast Security’s architecture empowers organizations to implement a proactive and dynamic approach to application security across the entire lifecycle.

How to Install Contrast Security it?

Installing Contrast Security involves several steps but offers different options depending on your needs and environment. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Access Method:

There are three main ways to access Contrast Security:

• Cloud-based service: This is the simplest option, suitable for most organizations. Simply sign up for a free trial or paid subscription on the Contrast official website.
• On-premise deployment: For organizations with strict security requirements or network limitations, Contrast offers an on-premise deployment option. This requires installing and maintaining the platform software on your own infrastructure.
• Veracode integration: If you already use the Veracode platform, you can integrate Contrast features within the same platform for unified security assessment.

2. Installation process:

• Cloud-based: No installation required! Once you sign up, you can immediately access the platform and configure your applications for analysis.
• On-premise: Contrast provides detailed documentation and support resources to guide you through the installation and configuration process for specific operating systems and environments.
• Veracode integration: Follow the specific instructions provided by Veracode for integrating Contrast features within your existing platform.

3. Configuration and application setup:

Regardless of the access method, you’ll need to configure Contrast for your specific applications:

• Identify and connect your applications: Provide Contrast with information about your applications, including URLs, servers, and APIs.
• Install sensors or agents: Depending on your application type, you may need to install Contrast sensors or agents to enable real-time monitoring and analysis.
• Configure scan settings: Customize scan parameters like depth, duration, and target areas.

4. Additional factors:

• System requirements: Ensure your environment meets the minimum system requirements for the chosen access method.
• User accounts and permissions: Create user accounts and assign appropriate permissions within the platform.
• Training and support: Utilize available training materials and support channels to learn best practices and address any technical challenges.

Remember, the best approach to installing Contrast depends on your specific needs and environment.

Basic Tutorials of Contrast Security: Getting Started

To craft the most helpful tutorials, let’s explore your preferred learning path within Contrast Security! Choose your adventure:

1. Web Application Security:

• Basic DAST Scan:
  • Step 1: Sign up for a Contrast free trial or log in to your existing account.
  • Step 2: Choose “Add New Application” and provide your web app URL.
  • Step 3: Select “Dynamic Scan” under “Scan Options” and customize if needed (depth, duration).
  • Step 4: Click “Start Scan” and monitor the progress in the dashboard.
  • Step 5: Review the identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and remediation guidance.
• IAST Introduction:
  • Step 1: On your application page, select “IAST Settings” and enable IAST monitoring.
  • Step 2: Deploy the Contrast sensor on your web server(s) following the provided instructions.
  • Step 3: Simulate user interactions with your web app (login, purchase, etc.).
  • Step 4: Observe the IAST dashboard for suspicious activity alerts and potential attack indications.
  • Step 5: Investigate alerts and address identified vulnerabilities in your code.

2. API Security:

• API Vulnerability Assessment:
  • Step 1: Add your API as a new application in Contrast and provide its URL or OpenAPI specification.
  • Step 2: Select “API Security” under “Scan Options” and choose the desired analysis type (static or dynamic).
  • Step 3: Run the scan and analyze the reported vulnerabilities with their impact on your API security.
  • Step 4: Implement security best practices like access control, authentication, and data encryption as suggested.
  • Step 5: Re-scan your API after fixing vulnerabilities to verify and document the remediation progress.
• API Protection with RASP:
  • Step 1: Enable RASP for your API in the Contrast platform settings.
  • Step 2: Deploy the Contrast RASP agent on your API server or container orchestration platform.
  • Step 3: Observe the RASP dashboard for real-time alerts and security incidents related to your API traffic.
  • Step 4: Take immediate action to mitigate detected threats and adjust protection rules as needed.
  • Step 5: Continuously monitor and fine-tune the RASP configuration for optimal API security.

3. Vulnerability Management:

• Prioritizing Vulnerabilities:
  • Step 1: Open the “Vulnerability Management” section in Contrast and view the list of identified vulnerabilities.
  • Step 2: Filter vulnerabilities by application, severity, exploitability, and other relevant criteria.
  • Step 3: Analyze the CVSS score, exploit details, and potential impact of each vulnerability.
  • Step 4: Assign vulnerabilities to development teams and prioritize them based on risk and resource availability.
  • Step 5: Track progress towards fixing vulnerabilities with reports and status updates.
• Remediation Workflow:
  • Step 1: Select a prioritized vulnerability and review the detailed remediation guidance provided by Contrast.
  • Step 2: Collaborate with developers to understand the vulnerable code and identify the root cause.
  • Step 3: Implement a secure code fix based on the provided guidance and best practices.
  • Step 4: Verify the fix by re-scanning the application or code section to confirm the vulnerability is resolved.
  • Step 5: Update the vulnerability status in Contrast and share documentation for future reference.

4. DevSecOps Integration:

• Setting up CI/CD Integration:
  • Step 1: Choose your CI/CD tool (Jenkins, GitLab CI, etc.) and follow the specific integration guide provided by Contrast.
  • Step 2: Configure automated scans at key stages of your pipeline (pull request, build, deploy).
  • Step 3: Define fail conditions based on critical vulnerability findings to prevent insecure deployments.
  • Step 4: Integrate vulnerability reports and remediation progress into your development workflow.
  • Step 5: Collaborate and iterate to embed security as a core practice within your CI/CD process.
• DevSecOps Best Practices:
  • Step 1: Train developers on secure coding principles and vulnerabilities relevant to your applications.
  • Step 2: Implement static code analysis tools early in the development process to identify and fix code flaws.
  • Step 3: Foster a culture of security awareness and communication between developers and security teams.