Dynamic Analysis and Penetration Testing (DAST/Pentesting)

Unlike static analysis, which reviews source code without running it, dynamic analysis (DAST) tests the application while it's running, sending it real malicious inputs to observe how it responds, much as an external attacker would. This makes it possible to detect problems that only appear at runtime, such as insecure server configurations or authentication flaws. Pentesting takes this a step further: a human specialist actively tries to break into the application, combining automated tools with creativity and knowledge of real attack techniques, something no automated tool fully replicates. Both approaches are complementary: DAST runs continuously and cheaply, while pentesting is reserved for deeper periodic assessments, typically before major launches.