What is the OWASP 10 and why is it important?

The OWASP Top 10 is a project of the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the security of software.

Here at Forus-P we use the OWASP Top 10 list to identify the most critical web application security risks with our Web Application Scan. It serves as a guide for developers, testers, and security professionals to prioritise their efforts and resources to mitigate the most critical security risks.

OWASP Top 10 Categories

The 2021 version of the OWASP Top 10 includes the following categories:

• A02 Cryptographic Failures
• A03 Injection
• A04 Insecure Design
• A05 Security Misconfiguration
• A06 Vulnerable and Outdated Components
• A07 Identification and Authentication Failures
• A08 Software and Data Integrity Failures
• A09 Security Logging and Monitoring Failures
• A10 Server-Side Request Forgery

These categories represent the most common and severe security risks facing web applications today. They are ordered in terms of their prevalence and potential impact on an application’s security. By focusing on these risks, developers and security professionals can take a proactive approach to security and minimise the likelihood and impact of security incidents.

In addition to the practical benefits of using the OWASP top 10, it is important from a compliance and regulatory perspective. Many industry regulations require organisations to follow the OWASP Top 10 guidelines as a minimum requirement for application security.

Conclusion: Tackling the OWASP Top 10 enhances security

Overall, the OWASP Top 10 is an essential resource for any organisation that develops or deploys web applications. By understanding and mitigating these common risks, organisations can improve their overall security posture and protect themselves against cyber threats.