SAST (Static Application Security Testing) is a security testing technique that analyses application source code, bytecode, or binaries to identify vulnerabilities without executing the application. It is performed early in the development lifecycle. Also known as static code analysis, SAST helps detect security issues before deployment.
Fixing security issues later in production is costly and risky. SAST enables teams to identify and remediate vulnerabilities early, reducing security risk and rework. It supports a shift-left security approach, embedding security into development rather than treating it as a post-release activity.
SAST tools analyse code against predefined security rules and patterns. When vulnerabilities are detected, the tools generate reports highlighting the issue, its location, and recommended remediation. These checks can automatically block builds or flag risks during CI/CD execution.
BuildPiper integrates SAST into secure release pipelines, ensuring code is scanned for vulnerabilities before deployment. It correlates SAST findings with builds and releases, enabling teams to enforce security gates without slowing delivery.
SAST analyses code without running the application, while DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) tests a running application by simulating attacks from the outside.
SAST is typically run early—during development, code commits, or CI builds—so issues can be fixed before they reach production.
BuildPiper supports SAST by embedding static security scans into CI/CD workflows, enforcing security gates, and providing visibility into security risks across releases.