Measuring SAST Effectiveness

Meaningful metrics help organizations optimize their SAST programs. Vulnerability density (vulnerabilities per thousand lines of code) tracks code quality trends. Mean time to remediation measures how quickly teams address findings. False positive rates indicate tuning effectiveness. Coverage metrics ensure all code receives analysis. These metrics guide program improvements and demonstrate security progress.

Correlation with production vulnerabilities validates SAST effectiveness. Compare vulnerabilities found in production with those SAST should have detected. Low correlation might indicate tuning issues, coverage gaps, or the need for complementary testing methods. This analysis ensures SAST efforts address real risks rather than theoretical vulnerabilities.

Developer satisfaction metrics often predict program success better than technical metrics. Survey developers about SAST tool usability, finding quality, and integration effectiveness. High satisfaction correlates with better security outcomes as developers actively use tools they value. Regular feedback collection guides program improvements that enhance both security and developer experience.