AppSec Metrics

Measuring and tracking key metrics is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of an application security (AppSec) program.

Metrics categories

At Inspektre, We have organized essential application security metrics grouped under categories as below along with a brief description.

1. RISK-SCAN (Vulnerability Density): This metric measures the density or number of vulnerabilities identified in an application or a specific codebase. It provides insight into the overall security posture of the application and can help track improvements over time.
2. RESOLVE (Vulnerability Age): This metric indicates the average age of open vulnerabilities in the application. It helps assess the organisation's ability to promptly address and remediate identified vulnerabilities.
3. RAPID (Time to Remediate): This metric measures the average time it takes to remediate identified vulnerabilities from the time they are reported or discovered. It reflects the organisation's efficiency in addressing security issues and reducing the window of vulnerability.
4. SAFE-POS (False Positive Rate): This metric quantifies the percentage of reported vulnerabilities that are determined to be false positives upon further investigation. Lower false positive rates indicate a more accurate and effective vulnerability scanning or testing process.
5. PROTECT (Security Testing Coverage): This metric evaluates the extent to which security testing activities, such as code reviews, static analysis, dynamic analysis, and penetration testing, cover the organisation's applications. It helps ensure comprehensive coverage and identifies any gaps in the testing process.
6. SAFE-APP (Secure Development Lifecycle [SDLC] Integration): This metric assesses the extent to which security practices are integrated into the SDLC. It measures the adherence to secure coding practices, security requirements, and security activities at different stages of the development lifecycle.
7. SURE-PATCH (Patching and Update Timeliness): This metric measures the average time taken to apply security patches and updates to applications and supporting systems. Timely patching is crucial to address known vulnerabilities and protect against potential exploits.
8. SECURE-TRAIN (Training and Awareness): This metric assesses the effectiveness of security training and awareness programs provided to developers, testers, and other stakeholders. It can be measured through participation rates, feedback surveys, or knowledge assessments.
9. COMPASS (Compliance Status): This metric evaluates the organisation's compliance with relevant security standards, regulations, and frameworks related to AppSec, such as PCI DSS, GDPR, or HIPAA. It helps ensure adherence to legal and industry requirements.
10. ACT-SAFE (Incident Response Metrics): These metrics capture the organisation's ability to detect, respond to, and mitigate security incidents related to applications. They can include metrics such as mean time to detect (MTTD), mean time to respond (MTTR), and the number of incidents successfully contained or prevented.
11. A.S.A.P (Security Investment ROI): This metric assesses the return on investment (ROI) of the organisation's AppSec investments. It measures the cost-effectiveness of security initiatives by comparing the expenses incurred with the value gained in terms of risk reduction and potential incident mitigation.
12. VULNERABLE (Total Cost of Ownership [TCO]): This metric assesses the comprehensive TCO of vulnerabilities in application security. It helps them make informed decisions regarding prioritizing and addressing vulnerabilities to minimize risks and optimize resource allocation.