Shift-Left Testing: Benefits and How to Implement It

Shift Left Testing is a methodology that emphasizes integrating testing activities earlier throughout the entire development lifecycle. This proactive approach helps quickly identify and fix bugs, leading to several benefits.

Traditionally, security teams tested the software after the development team completed it. This find-and-fix-later approach identified bugs late in the development process, making them expensive and time-consuming to fix.

This blog takes an in-depth look at Shift Left Testing with its types, exploring its benefits, challenges, key considerations, and how you can implement it effectively as an application security engineer.

Let’s get started!

What is Shift Left Testing?

Shift-left testing is a way of testing software that begins much earlier in the development process. Instead of waiting until the software is almost complete to start testing, It involves starting tests right from the beginning and continuing them throughout the entire development cycle.

The goal is to identify and fix issues earliest, which can save a lot of time and effort. It's like building a puzzle and checking each step to make sure it's coming together correctly, rather than waiting until the end to see if it worked out.

Why is it called Shift To The Left?

Shift left testing involves "testing frequently and starting as early as possible." But why is it called "left"?

The direction of reading in English and most Western languages likely influences the term "left" as it goes from left to right. Consequently, when depicting sequential phases, the earliest phase appears at the far left, with progression occurring from that point.

Shift-left vs Shift-right

Shift-right testing involves testing later in the software development process, typically in production environments. While it may seem unusual, shift-left and shift-right testing work together.

Shift-right testing helps security teams identify production issues before end users do. The shorter feedback loops from shift-left testing enable security teams to respond to and remediate these production issues rapidly.

Types of Shift Left Testing

Shift-Left Testing encompasses various testing methods that can be integrated early in the development lifecycle to improve software quality and security. Here are the types of shift-left testing:

1. Unit Testing

Unit tests check the functionality of individual modules within a larger application. Each module is tested independently, and any interactions with other processes are faked or simulated. Unit testing and Test-Driven Development (TDD) are the initial phases in shift-left testing.

2. Integration Testing

Testers design integration tests to check the overall functionality of a service or application. These tests ensure that different components work together seamlessly and that the system operates as expected. Additionally, integration tests verify the side effects that may arise when various parts of the application interact.

3. API Testing and Contract Testing

API tests examine the external endpoints of a single service. The scope of API tests is similar to that of integration tests. API tests can be considered the new unit tests in a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) or microservices context.

4. UI Testing

UI tests thoroughly examine and validate an application's complete functionality by mimicking how a real user interacts with the user interface. These tests ensure that all components, such as buttons, forms, and navigation elements, work correctly and provide a seamless experience for the end-users.

Implementing Shift Left Testing

Implementing Shift Left Testing involves integrating testing activities earlier in the development lifecycle to catch and resolve issues sooner. Here's a breakdown of how you can integrate different testing activities:

1. Early Requirements Reviews and Threat Modeling

During the planning and requirements phase, security engineers participate in threat modeling exercises. These exercises help identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities early on, informing secure design decisions.

Additionally, ensure the requirements are clear, concise, and measurable. This will allow security teams to create effective test cases that verify whether the software meets its intended functionality.

2. Unit Testing and Code Reviews

Unit tests verify the functionality of individual code modules. Writing unit tests early helps catch bugs before propagating into larger issues.

Additionally, conduct peer code reviews to identify potential bugs and security vulnerabilities early on. Encourage developers to review each other's code for adherence to secure coding practices.

3. API Testing and Integration Testing

As development progresses, integration testing verifies how different software components interact with each other. API testing ensures proper communication between APIs. Conducting these testing activities earlier in the process can uncover issues before complex integration challenges arise later on.

4. Security Testing Throughout the Lifecycle

Security shouldn't be an afterthought. Integrate practices like penetration testing and vulnerability scanning throughout the development lifecycle. This proactive approach allows security engineers to identify and address security vulnerabilities before they become exploitable.

Benefits of Shift Left Testing

The benefits of Shift Left Testing extend beyond just developers and security engineers. Here are some benefits that impact the entire software development team:

1. Improved Communication and Collaboration

It fosters a culture of collaboration between development, testing, and security teams. Early communication about potential issues leads to better problem-solving and a more efficient development process.

2. Increased Team Morale

Finding and fixing bugs early translates to a less stressful development environment. Developers and security engineers can focus on building great software rather than scrambling to fix last-minute issues.

3. Reduced Risk of Failure

By proactively addressing bugs and security vulnerabilities, security engineers significantly reduce the risk of project failure due to critical issues they might discover late in development. This early intervention ensures that potential problems are managed before they escalate.

4. Improved Code Quality

It encourages a focus on writing clean, secure code from the beginning, leading to more robust and reliable applications. Consistently high code quality also enhances maintainability and scalability. This approach also facilitates easier debugging and faster troubleshooting.

5. Enhanced Security

Integrating security testing throughout the process helps identify and address vulnerabilities early on, making the software more resistant to attacks. Early detection of security flaws reduces the risk of exploitation and data breaches.

Challenges of Shift-Left Testing

Implementing Shift Left Testing comes with its own set of challenges that must be addressed for a successful transition.

1. Team Support is Crucial

Successful Shift Left Testing requires the entire team to be on board. For a smooth transition, everyone needs to understand the benefits and be committed to the new approach. Regular training sessions can help ensure everyone is aligned and knowledgeable about the process.

2. Clear Transition Plan

Team leaders must create a clear plan outlining new roles and expectations. This ensures that everyone understands their responsibilities and what is expected of them. A well-defined roadmap guides the team through each phase of the transition.

3. Close Collaboration

Shift Left Testing most affects developers and QA testers. These teams must work closely together, intertwining their tasks for better results. Regular collaboration meetings facilitate the exchange of ideas and foster a unified approach.

4. Continuous Testing

Security engineers should not consider testing as a final step after development but as a continuous process throughout the development cycle. This helps catch issues early. Implementing automated testing tools can streamline this continuous testing process.

5. Basic Skills in Both Areas

Developers should acquire basic testing skills, and testers should learn some coding. This approach helps them make quick fixes and run automated tests. Cross-training programs can enhance this skill development and improve overall team efficiency.

Key Considerations for Successful Shift Left Testing

It requires a mindset shift, but some key considerations can ensure its success through careful planning and consideration:

1. Automation is Key

Automate repetitive testing tasks using testing frameworks and tools. This frees up the time for more complex testing activities. Automation also ensures consistency and reduces human error. Additionally, it allows for continuous testing, providing instant feedback and quicker identification of issues.

2. Shift Left Requires Training

Offer developers and other security team members the necessary training to understand and implement Shift Left Testing practices. Continuous training helps keep the team updated with the latest testing methodologies.

3. Communication is Critical

Foster open communication between developers, testers, and security engineers. Share the testing results and collaborate on remediation efforts. Regular meetings facilitate better understanding and quicker issue resolution.

4. Shared Ownership

Foster a culture of shared ownership for software quality and security. Encourage developers to take pride in creating clean, secure, and well-tested code. Empower every team member to be accountable for the project's success.

5. Security Awareness Training

Providing security awareness training for developers is crucial. Educate them on secure coding practices, common vulnerabilities, and how to write secure code from the beginning. Regular workshops can reinforce best practices and emerging threats.

Final Thoughts

Quality and security are paramount in today's competitive software development environment. Shift Left Testing (SLT) empowers organizations to achieve both by incorporating testing activities throughout the development lifecycle. By identifying and fixing bugs earlier, organizations streamline development processes, reduce costs, and deliver more secure software.

Are you ready to see the advantages of Shift Left Testing firsthand? Akto provides a comprehensive suite of solutions to help organizations implement SLT effectively. Akto's API Security platform offers industry-leading API security testing tools, continuous monitoring capabilities, and professional services to assist with deployment and custom security needs. Connect with Akto's experts today and learn how our solutions empower your development team to build secure software with confidence.

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