Anti-patterns for security testing

Overconfidence in test results: Being overly confident about a low false-positive rate and not considering the potential of false negatives can lead to genuine threats being ignored, which may be exploited by attackers. Regularly re-evaluate and adjust security testing tools and methodologies. Consider periodic third-party security audits and human-driven exploratory testing to get an external perspective on the system's security posture.

Not considering internal threats: Focusing security testing solely on external threats while neglecting potential insider threats, whether malicious or unintentional, can lead to unmitigated attack vectors that can be as damaging as external attacks. Testing should encompass all potential threat actors. Include scenarios in your testing strategy that emulate insider threats, such as permissions escalation, data exfiltration from internal roles, and social engineering. Continuously raise awareness, train employees on best practices, and regularly review access permissions.

Neglecting software supply chain attacks: Not regularly monitoring or safeguarding against potential threats in the software supply chain, from third-party libraries to development tools. Supply chain attacks have become increasingly prevalent, and they can compromise systems even if the organization's proprietary code is secure. Adopt a comprehensive software supply chain security strategy, including regularly updating and auditing third-party components, monitoring development environments, and ensuring secure software development practices are followed by all components used to build, test, deploy, and operate your systems.