What type of vulnerability assessment focuses on the security state of applications?

An application security assessment is a specific type of vulnerability assessment that focuses on identifying security vulnerabilities within applications. This assessment involves examining the software applications for design flaws, coding vulnerabilities, and other security gaps that could be exploited by attackers. It typically includes techniques such as static and dynamic analysis, as well as penetration testing to evaluate the security posture of an application throughout its lifecycle.

In conducting an application security assessment, professionals look at various aspects, including input validation, authentication mechanisms, session management, and data protection. The results provide insights into potential weaknesses and help developers and security teams to mitigate risks by applying appropriate security controls and best practices.

Other types of assessments, such as network security assessments or physical security assessments, focus on different areas of security. A configuration review, while important, primarily deals with the settings and controls in place on systems and devices rather than the security of applications themselves. Therefore, the application security assessment is distinct in its dedicated approach to assessing the security state of applications.