Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

The tool of RASP blocks all suspicious activity during the production stage of an application. It tends to occur when the application of a company is operational at runtime figuring out the context and the behaviour relating to a particular situation. The moment runtime application self-protection detects a threat like to open a file or calling a database an attempt is made to terminate the session. Even it can ward of XSS or SQL attempted takeovers. With lean security resources RASP can also be beneficial to the business owners that would be able to block attacks instantly where there is no need for any human intervention.

Ever since the attack on web applications has reported an increase, the challenge of a business is to safeguard all applications. Hence it is better if you include protection within the application itself as this would enable companies to balance their security requirements better. This would be the imperative of rolling out apps in an imperative manner.

The working of RASP

RASP is more a form of security technology that is incorporated or linked to an application, that too on a real time basis. It is capable of dealing with application execution, and not only detects but prevents attacks. The moment you place an agent on to the server, RASP would be adding security checks on to the applications which are operational there. RASP is regularly going to evaluate such calls to the application and will certify they are safe and secure to proceed.

Suppose in the event of an unsafe call occurring, RASP would step in and block it. This is done by terminating the suspicious user session or denying access to the specific application. At the application layer there is an extra security layer, when you combine it with software development process along with other application security tools. A series of all these measures can strengthen the overall application security of an organization. RASP will also be able to provide timely alerts about real time suspicious activity since they are taking place in an application environment. It goes on to facilitate rapid response when it is an attack.

RASP is not going to require any changes to be made on to the application code as it will not affect the application design. What it means is that the company is free to continue and refine the application based on their needs. This is going to turn out to be beneficial in cases where a business maintains apps as part of their environment to have a bright future. When it is used in combination with WAF, it would be of help to detect patterns of suspicious behaviour this could be originating from multiple sources. A RASP will be able to provide valuable threats to any insights that an organization is able to obtain. Though WAF will provide you with a single view but you need to obtain more insights about the same.

RASP and their comparison with WASP

People may replicate both these terms as the same, but it is not. Both the technologies are considerably different to each other. With WAF it evaluates traffic continuously at the application traffic, whereas RASP blocks attacks at the application itself. 

For a WAF to be effective there has to be a learning method, and still it could be nimble to ward off newer attack forms. A RASP is more of a real time defensive mechanism against any attack in the application layer. Since RASP is using the application itself, this may be still able to protect and update the attack even when it is updated and developed.

Tips to follow to be successful with RASP

To make the most out of a RASP solution there are a few pointers to consider

RASP works better if it is part of a comprehensive application program

RASP is a great bet to fend off SQL injection and cross site scripting attacks, but it should not be only means to protect a business application against all threats. There is a need to formulate DevSecOpps approach in relation to every security threat that exists. Security moves leftward within the SDLC and ensures that there is a comprehensive security program in place. There is a better chance that you will prevent an attack. It also depends upon the future requirements of the company It is possible that you may choose to operate a RASP solution with in built WAF capabilities to cash in on the benefits that the tool offers.

Figure out on how the RASP solution would be working with ecosystem of DevSecops

There may arise a situation where you may evaluate an offering of RASP and understand on how it is going to work with the other tools that you have in place. With your existing DIEM, ticketing systems or DAST an existing RASP tool may integrate. Such an approach will allow a company to integrate numerous threat intelligence feeds through web hooks, APIs. The leading technologies will allow you to monitor and block threats in real time.

The RASP solution is to be tested properly before implementation

Since RASP is known to integrate closely with the applications that it monitors, this may lead to performance issues. If these turn out to be significant to have an impact on the users, they should be complaining when it comes to change in their performance. Therefore it is necessary to have an idea on how your RASP solution works and how it impact implication performance before you are implementing with the environment.With more and more attackers targeting applications it is fundamental for organizations to adopt a multi- level threat approach. Platforms like Appsealing can come to the rescue in such cases. They are known to safeguard the data of the customers, and empowers companies to formulate strong modules of application checks during production stage. Not only it will detect but block attacks in real time. For all these reasons RASP can be  vital tool as part of the organizational kit.

By Manali