Managing False Positives and Noise

False positive management can make or break DAST implementations. Unlike SAST, DAST false positives are typically lower but still require attention. Implement systematic triage processes where security analysts verify findings before they reach development teams. Create runbooks for common false positive patterns to accelerate triage. Document verification steps to build institutional knowledge.

Tune scanners based on false positive patterns. If tools consistently misidentify certain behaviors as vulnerabilities, adjust detection logic or create exceptions. Use custom scripts to verify findings automatically—checking whether reported SQL injection actually allows data extraction. Implement feedback loops where confirmed false positives improve future scanning accuracy.

Balance sensitivity to minimize both false positives and false negatives. Overly aggressive settings generate noise, while conservative configurations miss vulnerabilities. Start with moderate sensitivity, then adjust based on findings quality. Track metrics like false positive rates and missed vulnerabilities to guide optimization. The goal is maximum true positive detection with minimal noise.