Security testing is the most essential aspect of software testing. A software that is not able protect the data and is not able to sustain the data as per the requirement is of no use.

There are many aspects of security testing for web based as well as desktop applications. Security testing is done to ensure that the application is able to maintain confidentiality. Under any scenario the application should not disclose the confidential information to anyone except the intended recipient. It should allow its users to verify that the information that they are receiving is correct. The application should be able to verify the identity of its users and should be able to track all the transactions. It should be able to authorize a valid user to perform the necessary tasks. While testing for security you will also have to check the digital security which means you have to check that all the information that is being sent or received by the application belongs to those who claim to have sent or received it. With Non-repudiation the sender cannot deny having sent the information and in a similar way recipient cannot say that it did not receive the information. In all IT companies and testing companies a lot of importance is given to security testing.

Software testing is incomplete without security testing. Any defect related to the security cannot be tolerated. Therefore it is necessary to perform in depth software testing. There is no shortage of testing jobs for those who are good at performing security testing.

It is important to understand when to use security testing. Whenever an application is dealing with crucial information and data that is of great importance to the company, it is necessary to ensure that the application can carry out secure transactions. Even a single undetected security issue can result in great loss not only for the company but also for all the users of that application. In cases of applications such as the ones related to banking and stock exchange where people are making online transactions of money it is very important to make the system fail-safe. In such scenario the security testing is carried out before and after the system is implemented.

Security testing should be carried out in a very meticulous manner and it is necessary to ensure that the application is functioning as per the defined specifications and there is no undetected security vulnerability. The extent to which security testing must be carried out greatly depends on the security risk associated with the applications. For highly complex applications it is important to rope in test engineers who have good hands on experience in security testing.

The defects associated with security are different from the other bugs. Security related errors are difficult to identify. Security testing is carried out rigorously to ensure that the application is robust enough to tackle any kind of malicious attack. Thus, it is necessary to carry out the right kind of tests to ensure that the all the necessary security measures have been incorporated in the application.

Most of the security testing is carried out manually; simple tasks can be handled by automated tools. The test engineer has to understand the specifications and logic implemented in the application and has to come up with all possible scenarios under which the application can be cracked. It is necessary that the test engineer should have sound knowledge of network security, Firewalls, OS, TCP/IP and other protocols etc. Those who want to make a career in software testing in Ireland can think of specializing in security testing . As per software recruitment agencies in Ireland there is a great demand for security testing professionals in various testing companies and IT companies.