Code audit : take a continuous quality approach!
Code auditing is the verification of the source code of one component or several components of an application. This consists on the one hand, in evaluating it, in order to determine whether its development is in accordance with the desired standards; on the other hand, to define and apply corrective actions. This exercise can be automated, using analytical tools and manual, that is, carried out by humans. Carried out by a third party to obtain an objective review, the audit is a mature approach on the part of the company which wants to ensure the quality and security of its computer programs.
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Source code audit: what are the objectives?
First, consider the factors determining software quality: completeness of functionalities, ease and flexibility of use, accuracy of results, fault tolerance, scalability, compatibility and portability; ease of correction and transformation, integrity of information, etc.
A code audit often follows the detection of several bugs in an application, giving rise to doubts about its quality. This study answers your questions about its efficiency, scalability, maintenance, maintainability and security. Source code auditing is more in-depth than penetration testing and helps identify vulnerabilities at the source.
How do we carry out a code audit at Esokia?
Code auditing generally goes through 3 phases: preparation for the audit, the source code analysis process and the delivery.
- The preparation
The audit team and the client must first define the parts of the application to analyze and plan the intervention. The audit team should become familiar with the application, in order to understand its technical architecture and functional specifications. For this purpose, it relies on the documentation of the application, for example, the configuration files of its components. It will also be an opportunity to judge the quality of the documentation.
- The source code analysis process
A full code audit can include both automated and manual review; to properly inspect the quality of development practices, security mechanisms and detect application vulnerabilities.
Automated auditing can quickly obtain easy-to-analyze metrics and even identify duplicate or unused code. This analysis is performed by static source code analysis tools, which may be available as open-source for each programming language and framework.
Manual auditing is often reserved for the most sensitive application modules. In addition, it should be noted that the logic of an application and its compliance with functional demands cannot be verified automatically. However, if manual analysis is unavoidable, its scope must be clearly predetermined.
- The delivery
This is the deliverable of the audit, namely the presentation of the technical and functional problems detected, the risks they pose and the corrections to be made. This report also contains an assessment of development methods and their compliance with good practices; the positive points observed, as well as detailed advice to improve the application.
Esokia puts code auditing professionals at your service!
Our digital agency has all the skills to perform in-depth and detailed code audits. We work closely with your development team to fully understand the vision you have for your application and to contribute to its development.
We use efficient methodologies to test source codes written in different programming languages, including PHP and Java, and verify adherence to best practices for each language. Our trained and experienced auditors use proven tools such as SonarQube and Code Sniffer for automated reviews and also perform manual analysis. We also perform CMS and website audits.
Esokia understands the importance of security and the GDPR. Because of this, we handle sensitive information with caution, using systematic encryption and secure destruction; to ensure the protection of client company data.
Finally, we guarantee a complete delivery, containing our observations, recommendations and personalized projections; to empower you, so you can make your application more efficient and secure. Contact us for more information !