Traditional and Web Application Testing

       By: Claudio Locicero
Posted: 2007-11-08 06:13:01
There are several components of traditional application testing that can be used in the web testing process because of best practices along with the probability that traditional systems may be supporting the web system in the background. Some of the components of traditional testing that can be used in Web testing include checking its function and performance in regards to accessibility and reliability.In testing of Web systems, one has to check functionality using all browser variants to ensure consistency in its display and navigation across the various platforms. Due to the nature of Web systems, there is also the issue of network infrastructure capacity and compatibility which would have an impact on both functionality and performance.As an example, if the Web system includes audio or video feeds, then there will be a requirement for quality of service (QOS) functionality within the network infrastructure equipment and the ability to appropriately burst bandwidth allowances when required due to traffic loads. Without QOS functionality in these areas, the Web system may not function as designed from the end user perspective, because the multimedia stream is subjected to jitter, latency, or both. In traditional systems these concerns were limited to the constraints of the CPU, memory and other internal hardware components. Although this example walks a fine line between functionality and performance, sometimes the difference between them is only a matter of perspective.One type of testing that if overlooked that could have a detrimental effect on functionality and performance is security testing. Although security testing is occasionally performed, depending on the particular design, in a traditional systems environment, it should be mandatory for Web systems due to the effects on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of these customer facing and back-end systems. An attacker could find a way to take control of the administration, performance, and functionality of a Web system. One small example would be having a website defaced...it would be a public embarrassment to any business and even more troubling if it causes a loss of income due to customer loss of confidence in the organization.The complexity and criticality of Web systems absolutely requires due diligence in the exercise of its testing and that has been the inspiration to adapt traditional testing techniques and go several steps further.Written by Claudio LoCicero, M.S.Over his career he has held several technical and management positions both in the United States and overseas within the private and government sectors.He holds a Master of Science in Information Technology with an Information Security Specialization from a university designated as a National Security Agency Certified Center of Academic Excellence for Information Assurance. He also holds numerous professional certifications such as the Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation, along with several other professional certifications from Cisco, Microsoft, and the National Security Agency (NSA).He is an active member of the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), and the Project Management Institute (PMI).
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