Which security testing method evaluates source code for security flaws often through add-ons to an IDE?

The reason the correct answer is identified as the evaluation of source code for security flaws is that this method, known as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), is designed specifically to analyze source code and binaries. SAST tools inspect the code line by line, identifying vulnerabilities such as insecure coding practices, which can lead to potential exploits. These tools can often integrate with Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), allowing developers to receive real-time feedback on the security posture of their code as they write it.

SAST provides benefits such as early detection of vulnerabilities, which saves time and cost in the development process since issues can be addressed before the application is deployed. By focusing on the code itself, SAST helps ensure that security is embedded into the development life cycle from the very beginning.

In contrast, other methods like Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) focus on testing running applications to find vulnerabilities during runtime, which is fundamentally different from analyzing the source code. Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) combines elements of both SAST and DAST but typically requires the application to be running and monitors its behavior rather than evaluating the code in a static state. The FFIEC, while relevant to financial institutions, does not pertain directly to security testing methodologies in the