What is RASP Security?
100% cyber security of applications is a mirage.
Application security is an afterthought, unfortunately, during software development. With the absence of detecting and blocking cyber attacks on apps make and most apps lack the capacity to detect and block attacks. So, for those of us in IT, how you respond to cyber attacks on applications to make them free from security-related flaws, becomes a crucial differentiator.
But irony is, application security, mostly, an afterthought in our SDLC. Add lack of capacity, to detect and block any external attacks, application security goals are all set to make headlines in the aftermath of .
The importance of appsec can not be overstated and when you come to know that more than 200,000 times the average web app was attacked, when 2020 started, you might think that something’s wrong with application security in terms of tackling and fixing high-severity vulnerabilities.
In fact, detecting and preventing real-time attacks and appsec risks, has been the mainstay of 2020 Verizon Data Breach Incident Report .
So, how about getting idea of differentiating commands and normal sequences from suspicious instructions or requests? This is where Runtime application self-protection (RASP) makes its presence felt in terms of responding to cyber-attacks, on applications, in real time. Building security into applications as they execute is the core mantra behind RASP Security.
Runtime application self-protection (RASP) is security software to enable applications to identify and blocking computer or cyber-attacks in real time. With this self-monitoring mechanism detection capabilities are increased to safeguard an application from attacks like SQL injection etc.
In this RASP security approach, we do not build an application but add components for vulnerability protection right into the app. No wonder why detecting and preventing real-time attacks and appsec risks, have been the mainstay of 2020 Verizon Data Breach Incident Report .
Introductory tutorial on RASP
Fixing the Unfixable: Solving Pervasive Vulnerabilities with RASP – Jeff Williams RASP Tutorial
RASP Tools
What is the meaning of RASP Security?
Definition of RASP Security
Defining what is Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) in Security is basically a server-side security software that sits inside an application and with runtime instrumentation, it detects and blocks cyber attacks on applications and databases.
A Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) Software or tool is capable of controlling application execution and detecting and preventing real-time attacks.
: Gartner
In short, RASP security is all about detecting cyber-attacks on applications in real-time at run-time.
How Does RASP Tools Solutions Work?
Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) runs on a server.
A RASP security software platform work in the following 2 ways:
Self-protection mode:
As the name implicates, a Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) security tool deters any possibility of execution of requests at run-time which might pave way for cyber-attacks owing to different vulnerabilities, in codes, of an application.
RASP acts as a first line of defense against external and internal threats by blocking visitors or calls who are not authorized to access or manipulate data contained within the application.
Monitoring mode:
It differs from stoppage of runtime execution of the application and works towards monitoring of vulnerabilities only. The information is displayed on the dashboard.
What are the Advantages of RASP Security?
There are many. Some of the main benefits of RASP Security tools are mentioned as under. Also, NIST Recognizes RASP as critical to lowering Risk.
- Zero code modification and easy integration
- Detects both attacks and vulnerability
- Apply defense inside the application
- Have code level insights and telemetry
- Lesser false positives
- Better Attack telemetry
- Identification of bugs early in SDLS, helping DevOps
- Injects security at runtime
- Supports Pen Testing with greater visibility
- log events, within custom apps, and help incident response
- No use of blacklists
RASP Implementation
RASP application security implementation in passive monitoring mode eats minimal resources.
In monitoring mode, it should:
- Provide responses with minimal delay (latency)
- Logging events should be akin to the other RASP mode i.e. Protection
Such elements assist in generating a security analytics report to understand hacking attempts, and bot assaults in real-time – very much like a heatmap of cyber attacks on an application.
When it comes to RASP solution in protection mode, constrained usage of application resources to pinpoint any attack in real time.
It is noteworthy that in protection mode, RASP security platform:
- Should not employ any resource to change settings of rule sets or definition lists etc.
- Should display low latency
- Should display intelligent data insights of cyber attacks and the corresponding action steps taken to mitigate risks of malicious or malformed payload.
RASP Deployment
Features of a RASP Security Tool Solution
- Ideal RASP should have minimal performance impact without latency issues
- Should not introduce vulnerabilities
- Maintain distance from PII of users
- Should not learn the bad stuff
- Should be a real RASP and not a fancy WAF with blacklist
- Minimal headache in deployment
RASP Vendors comparison
RASP Security Tools Vendors List
- Imperva Real-time Application Self Protection (RASP)
- Micro Focus Fortify Application Defender
- JSDefender – App Protection for JavaScript
- Sqreen RASP
- Contrast Protect (RASP)
- Hdiv Protection (RASP)
- IMMUNIO
- K2 Security Platform
- KyberSecurity Application Protection
- Templarbit Shield
- Appsealing Mobile RASP
- Waratek Secure
- Fortify Application Defender
- Veracode Runtime Protection
- Prevoty Application monitoring and protection
Imperva Real-time Application Self Protection (RASP)
Imperva RASP
Micro Focus Fortify Application Defender
JSDefender – App Protection for JavaScript
Sqreen RASP
Contrast Protect (RASP)
Hdiv Protection (RASP)
Immunio Real-time web application security & protection
K2 Security Platform
KyberSecurity Application Protection
Templarbit Shield
Appsealing Mobile RASP
Waratek Secure
Fortify Application Defender
Veracode Runtime Protection
Prevoty Application monitoring and protection
