11 Application Security Testing Types Explained | Complete Guide 2026
As organizations accelerate software releases and adopt complex cloud-native architectures, security risks are growing faster than ever. From open-source dependencies to API vulnerabilities and cloud misconfigurations , modern applications face constant threats. Without proper security testing, these vulnerabilities can lead to data breaches, compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage. Studies show that nearly 59% of security professionals consider today’s attack surfaces difficult to manage. The rapid growth of cloud computing, DevOps, open-source usage, and Generative AI has expanded the risk landscape significantly. This makes application security testing and software security testing essential components of modern cybersecurity strategies. In this comprehensive guide, we explain the 11 most critical application and software security testing types, how they work, when to use them, and how organizations can implement them effectively in 2026. What is Applica...