Agent-based IAST: The agent-based approach of IAST strategically embeds lightweight agents directly within an application's code or runtime environment, introducing vigilant guardians that monitor every move, interaction, and data flow of the application. These agents serve as a continuous watchful eye and excel in real-time vulnerability detection. As the application functions, the agents keenly observe its behavior, identifying deviations and suspicious patterns, making them adept at promptly recognizing potential security threats including SQL injection and more complex attacks targeting application vulnerabilities. Living within the application's ecosystem grants agents an unparalleled understanding of the application's workings, from the interplay of its components and data pathways to its reactions to diverse inputs. Such visibility offers a panoramic view of the application's security terrain, allowing vulnerabilities to be pinpointed that might otherwise lurk undiscovered until a breach occurs.
Sensor-based IAST: Sensor-based IAST leverages sensors to ensure application security. Strategically integrated into various application components, these special sensors meticulously gather data, capturing insights on execution paths, data inputs, and outputs. Sensor-based IAST stands out for its non-intrusive nature. It facilitates continuous application behavior monitoring without tampering with its runtime performance. The sensors can detect potential vulnerabilities, exposing suspicious data flows, unexpected interactions, and irregular patterns. Such revelations spotlight areas ripe for attackers' exploitation, helping organizations proactively identify risks.