Model-based Approach to Security Test Automation

Security functional testing is a costly activity typically performed by security evaluation laboratories. These laboratories have struggled to keep pace with increasing demand to test numerous product variations. This paper summarizes the results of applying a model-based approach to automate functional security testing. The approach involves developing models of security requirements as the basis for automatic test vector and test driver generation. In the application, security properties were modeled and the resulting tests were executed against Oracle and Interbase database engines through a fully automated process. The findings indicate the approach, proven successful in a variety of other application domains, provides a cost-effective solution to functional security testing.