RASP is known to block potential malicious activity when an application happens to be in production. It watches an application at runtime, interpreting its behaviour along with the context where behaviour occurs. If RASP makes an attempt to open a file or detect a shell, or get in touch with a database an attempt is made to terminate the action. Runtime application self- protection would prevent potential form of attacks such as XQL or CSS with an attempt in take overs and zero days exploits. This turns out to be a benefit for a business that has lean security resources as this will block attacks on the spot without any form of human intervention.
Ever since attacks on business applications continues to rise, business does find it challenging to safeguard all the applications, as some of them may mitigate vulnerabilities that was not identified in the early part of the software development cycle via various methods of application security testing. For this reason it includes protection within the application enables a company to balance security arrangements better within the imperative to roll out operations in a viable manner.
RASP and WAF
RASP is often confused with its cousin WAF which is the web application firewall, though these technologies tends to be different from each other. WAF is known to analyse the application traffic at the perimeter for potential malicious attack using static rules based on the forms of attack. RASP is known to block malicious attack that may occur within the application itself.
With a WAF, may require a learning period, so as to be effective, but still will not be able to fend off newer type of attacks that may not have been visible earlier. It may leave a business potentially vulnerable, during the window of time when the WAF has not gone on to receive the new rules to deal with the emerging threat. A RASP is known to provide a proper form of defence mechanism with a variety of attacks taking place with the application layer.
RASP is known to be using the application itself, it will be able to monitor and protect the security of an application since it is continuously updated and further developed. Both the platforms are known to complement each other, where the forces combine to provide a business with a comprehensive and a robust security solution. An example is if anyone has a suspicious pattern, like a brute force attack and observes the application performing those tasks.
The Working of RASP
As all of us are aware RASP appears to be a form of security technology that is built or linked on to the application runtime. It is capable of controlling application runtime, and detecting or preventing real time attacks. When you place an agent on to the server, RASP would be incorporating security checks on to the application which is operational there. RASP is known to regularly evaluate calls on to the application, to make sure that they are safe and easy to proceed.
The moment an unsafe call occurs, RASP would step in and block it. An example would be to terminate the user session of a user or denying the request for a specific application. This extra layer of security at an application layer, more so when you combine it with secure software development practices or other form of application tools, is in a position to strength the overall security layers of an organization. RASP is also known to provide security team about real time threats or alerts since they are going to take place in an application environment.
The Tips For Success With Rasp
There are three tips for making out with a RASP solution
- RASP turns out to be a comprehensive part of an application security program- RASP turns out to be a viable solution in fending out numerous forms of attacks such as CSS, or SQL injection at runtime. But it is not something that you should solely rely for protection against any application security threat that exists. When you are adopting a DevOPS approach where security moves leeward with SDLC as it makes sense when you are having a comprehensive application security plan in place. What it means is that you have a better chance of preventing an attack. it also depends upon the unique security requirements of a company you could also opt to run a RASP solution which has an in built WAF capabilities, to maximize the benefits that it provides.
- Figure out on how the RASP solution works with the Develop Sec OPS system- Once you go on to evaluate the offering of RASP, that is already in place, more so with Dev. Sec Ops system. An advanced form of RASP tool will integrate with existing DAST, SIEM along with other form of ticketing systems. Such integration allows your company to mitigate multiple threat intelligence through web hooks, APIs and leading technologies or block threats in real life. Platforms like appselling can be of immense help in such cases.
- Testing the RASP solution before implementation of the same- Since RASP is known to integrate with the applications closely, in some cases it may lead to performance issues. if they are known to have significant impact on the users, they are likely to complain about change in the performance levels. Hence it is better to test the RASP solution to have an idea on how it has an impact on application performance before you plan to implement it as part of your environment.
With attackers targeting a host of applications, the need of the hour is for businesses to opt for a comprehensive multi -layer technology module that safeguards the data of customers. RASP is known to empower companies to develop stronger application threats when they happen to be in the stage of production and in real time attacks are blocked. For all these reasons RASP turns out to be a valuable part of the organizational kit of an organization.