Implementing DAST in CI/CD Pipelines

Successful DAST integration requires addressing unique challenges compared to SAST deployment. Since DAST tools test running applications, pipelines must deploy applications to test environments before scanning. Container orchestration platforms like Kubernetes simplify this process by enabling on-demand test environment creation. Ephemeral environments ensure consistent testing conditions while preventing interference between concurrent scans.

Scan scheduling becomes crucial for maintaining pipeline efficiency. Full DAST scans can take hours for complex applications, potentially blocking deployments. Implement tiered scanning strategies where quick smoke tests run on every commit, comprehensive scans run nightly, and full deep scans execute weekly. Use incremental scanning capabilities to test only changed functionality when possible.

Authentication handling represents a common DAST implementation challenge. Modern applications use complex authentication mechanisms including OAuth, SAML, and multi-factor authentication. Configure DAST tools with appropriate credentials and session handling logic to ensure complete application coverage. Some teams create simplified authentication mechanisms for test environments while ensuring these don't mask real authentication vulnerabilities.