Use Case Alignment

SAST aligns perfectly with shift-left security initiatives. By identifying vulnerabilities during coding, SAST prevents security debt accumulation. Development teams building new applications benefit from immediate security feedback. Code review processes incorporate security analysis alongside functionality assessment. Compliance requirements for secure coding practices are demonstrated through SAST integration. The approach excels when security must be built in from the start.

IAST suits organizations with strong testing practices seeking accurate security results. QA teams running comprehensive test suites multiply IAST value by leveraging existing test coverage. Agile teams benefit from security analysis during sprint testing without additional security-specific test cases. Organizations struggling with SAST false positives find IAST's accuracy refreshing. The approach excels when testing practices are mature and runtime accuracy is paramount.

Hybrid scenarios leverage both tools strategically. Greenfield development might emphasize SAST for early feedback while adding IAST during testing phases. Legacy modernization could use IAST to understand current vulnerabilities while implementing SAST for new development. Security-critical applications often require both approaches for comprehensive coverage. The key is understanding each tool's strengths and applying them appropriately.