The DAST advantage: How MSSPs can strengthen security offerings and build customer loyalty

Key takeaways

In the ever-changing digital landscape, managed security service providers (MSSPs) need to stay ahead of emerging threats and address the growing demand for comprehensive security solutions. As part of that strategy, MSSPs will want to include application security services, such as dynamic application security testing (DAST), as part of their offerings.

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting web applications and APIs, mandating that a comprehensive security strategy extend beyond network and endpoint security to incorporate application security as an essential component. According to a July 2022 study by Cybersecurity Insiders, customer-facing web applications top the list of applications that introduce the highest security risk, cited by 42% of surveyed cybersecurity professionals. Having a DAST solution among their web application security tools allows MSSPs to safely simulate external attacks on running web applications and APIs, identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. 

By incorporating DAST into their services, MSSPs can not only enhance their customers’ security posture but also build customer loyalty, support compliance requirements, and expand revenue sources. Read on to explore the role of DAST in a comprehensive security offering and its key benefits for both MSSPs and their clients.

The DAST difference

DAST allows MSSPs to conduct regular automated scans to check their customers’ web applications and promptly notify developers of any vulnerabilities. Continuous monitoring through scheduled scans helps to ensure that newly discovered vulnerabilities, as well as issues introduced during development, are identified and remediated in a timely manner.

Furthermore, DAST provides MSSPs with a prioritized list of vulnerabilities based on severity, allowing them to guide their customers’ remediation efforts towards the most critical issues. This prioritization facilitates more efficient vulnerability management and lets organizations allocate resources effectively to address high-risk issues first.

Supporting customer compliance

DAST also can assist in meeting compliance requirements for business sectors with strict security standards. Industries such as healthcare, finance, and retail must adhere to compliance requirements that call for regular vulnerability scanning and testing of web applications and APIs, all of which DAST provides. Regulations include the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in healthcare, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) in finance, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for industries handling personal data.

By integrating regular, automated DAST scans into their service offerings, MSSPs help their customers stay in regulatory compliance, thereby avoiding potential fines, penalties, or the need to fix issues that are only identified during security audits. In the case of PCI DSS compliance, for example, MSSPs can use DAST to scan web applications for common vulnerabilities – such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and insecure session management – and identify weaknesses in real time. Customers can then quickly remediate these vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. An enterprise-grade DAST can also generate reports to support compliance efforts for PCI DSS and other regulatory requirements. 

Building customer loyalty

MSSPs that incorporate DAST services into their repertoires can greatly enhance customer loyalty by demonstrating a commitment to proactive application security measures. As companies increasingly rely on web applications to run their businesses, MSSPs that assume responsibility for identifying vulnerabilities and protecting customer data showcase their dedication to comprehensive security solutions and staying ahead of threats that could compromise their customers’ businesses.

Provided it’s accurate, DAST also facilitates effective communication among MSSPs and their customers’ application developers and IT staff, ensuring that security measures align with development processes and IT infrastructure. For instance, DAST solutions with automatic vulnerability verification have the ability to report only real application vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, enabling MSSPs to directly provide developers with specific, actionable insights for remediation. This approach lets IT staff concentrate on network and infrastructure security, reducing friction between the application development and IT or security teams. Customers often turn to their MSSP to navigate and maintain this balance, fostering stronger, long-lasting relationships built on trust and collaboration.

Creating new revenue streams

Incorporating DAST as a service also creates new revenue streams for MSSPs beyond endpoint and network security, as customers recognize the value in investing in security measures that effectively identify and address application vulnerabilities. To tap into this potential, MSSPs can position DAST services as a premium offering, underlining their importance in safeguarding web applications and APIs from cyberthreats.

MSSPs can also emphasize the advantages of DAST to existing customers, illustrating how it complements traditional network and endpoint security services. By highlighting the increasing demand for application security, MSSPs can motivate customers to adopt DAST, resulting in revenue growth through service upselling or cross-selling.

Moreover, MSSPs can proactively target prospective customers in industries subject to strict regulatory requirements that necessitate regular vulnerability testing of business-critical web applications. Providing DAST as a component of a comprehensive security suite can assist these organizations in maintaining compliance, establishing trust, and attracting new clients. Ultimately, integrating DAST into their offerings enables MSSPs to broaden their market reach and generate extra revenue, reinforcing their position in the competitive cybersecurity market.

The bottom line

Application security services and DAST are essential components of a robust security strategy. MSSPs that incorporate these capabilities into their service offerings are best equipped to help their customers stay ahead of web application and API vulnerabilities. DAST plays an important role in identifying exploitable vulnerabilities and supporting compliance requirements. It also helps MSSPs build customer loyalty, create new revenue streams, and strengthen their overall market position.