Use Case Optimization

DAST proves optimal for several specific use cases. External security assessments benefit from DAST's black-box approach that mimics attacker perspectives. Compliance scanning often mandates DAST to demonstrate vulnerability testing. Third-party application assessment relies on DAST when code access isn't available. Production security monitoring uses DAST to verify deployed application security without code modifications.

IAST excels in development and testing environments where performance overhead is acceptable. Agile teams benefit from IAST's ability to provide security feedback during normal testing activities. Organizations with strong test automation multiply IAST value by leveraging existing test coverage for security analysis. Development teams appreciate IAST's accurate findings and detailed remediation guidance.

Hybrid use cases leverage both approaches. Pre-production environments might run IAST continuously while DAST performs periodic deep scans. Security champions use IAST during development while security teams validate with DAST before release. This complementary approach maximizes security coverage while respecting performance and integration constraints.