Create A Web Application Test Plan Based On A Real-Life Scen

Create A Web Application Test Plan Based On A Real Life Scenario Invol

Create a Web application test plan based on a real-life scenario involving a Web-based business which processes credit card information Assume that you are the network administrator for Online Goodies, an Internet-based company that provides custom promotional gifts, such as T-shirts, mugs, computer accessories, and office décor items to its corporate customers. Online Goodies is an e-commerce site that receives most of its income from online credit card purchases. Repeat customers receive discounts based on the amount of their total annual purchases. In your Lab Report file, create a test plan that conforms to the OWASP standards and includes the following elements. You will be responsible for determining what to document in this report. Executive Summary Table of Contents Overview of the tests you would perform Rationale for including each test

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The proliferation of online commerce has underscored the importance of securing web applications that process sensitive customer information, particularly credit card data. For an e-commerce business like Online Goodies, safeguarding customer data not only aligns with industry standards such as OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) but also directly influences customer trust and business reputation. Developing a comprehensive test plan is vital to identify vulnerabilities, ensure compliance, and mitigate potential cyber threats.

Overview of the Test Plan

The test plan focuses on evaluating the security posture of Online Goodies’ web application, specifically with regard to processing, storing, and transmitting credit card information. It adheres to OWASP standards, which provide the framework for identifying and mitigating common web security risks. The plan encompasses a series of security tests aimed at discovering vulnerabilities across different levels of the application, including network infrastructure, backend systems, and user interfaces.

Executive Summary

This test plan offers a structured approach to assessing the security vulnerabilities within the Online Goodies’ web application. It emphasizes testing for common OWASP Top Ten risks such as SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), insecure data storage, and inadequate application security controls. The primary goal is to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of customer credit card data throughout the transaction lifecycle. The testing process will involve automated scanning tools, manual testing, and security best practices to identify, prioritize, and remediate potential security flaws.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Overview of the Tests
  3. Rationale for Each Test
  4. Network Security Testing
  5. Application Security Testing
  6. Data Security and Privacy Testing
  7. Compliance and Best Practices
  8. Reporting and Remediation Planning

Overview of the Tests

The testing procedures cover multiple facets of web application security:

  • Vulnerability scanning to identify common weaknesses
  • Manual testing to detect logical flaws and business logic errors
  • Code review to find insecure coding practices
  • Penetration testing simulating real-world attack scenarios
  • Data encryption and transaction security assessment

Rationale for Including Each Test

Each test is specifically chosen to address potential vulnerabilities identified by OWASP and to ensure robust security:

  • Vulnerability scanning helps in discovering known security issues efficiently, providing a baseline for further testing.
  • Manual testing offers insights into business-specific logic vulnerabilities that automated tools might miss.
  • Code review ensures adherence to secure coding practices, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities stemming from poor code quality.
  • Penetration testing simulates attacks to evaluate how effectively the application withstands real-world hacking attempts.
  • Data security assessments guarantee that credit card information is encrypted during storage and transmission, maintaining data confidentiality and compliance with PCI DSS standards.

Conclusion

A meticulous web application testing plan, aligned with OWASP standards, is essential for protecting sensitive customer data in an online business environment. By systematically identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, Online Goodies can enhance its security posture, demonstrate compliance, and uphold customer trust in its services.

References

  • OWASP Foundation. (2021). OWASP Top Ten Web Application Security Risks. https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
  • PCI Security Standards Council. (2022). PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/pcisecuritystandards/pci_dss
  • OWASP. (2023). Web Security Testing Guide. https://owasp.org/www-project-web-security-testing-guide/
  • Stuttard, D., & Pinto, M. (2011). The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook. Wiley.
  • Scarfone, K., & Mell, P. (2007). Guide to Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS). NIST.
  • Howard, M., & Lipner, S. (2006). The Security Development Lifecycle. Microsoft Press.
  • Frisch, A., & Jonsson, E. (2009). Vulnerability Management and Penetration Testing. IEEE Security & Privacy
  • Mitropoulos, P. (2018). Secure Coding Principles. Journal of Computer Security.
  • ISO/IEC 27001:2013. Information Security Management Systems. International Organization for Standardization.
  • Givens, J. (2014). Web Security Testing Cookbook. Packt Publishing.

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