Key takeaways

• Compliance frameworks require demonstrable vulnerability management, not just documentation.
• DAST validates exploitable issues, providing real evidence for audits.
• APIs that handle regulated data are a critical part of the application attack surface.
• Proof-based scanning and automated reporting reduce audit friction.
• Invicti unifies AppSec and compliance efforts through automation and continuous visibility.

Compliance frameworks have long guided organizations toward more secure handling of data, but meeting them in practice requires continuous proof, not just policy documentation. As modern web applications increasingly depend on APIs and complex, distributed architectures, compliance assurance must extend across every interface that handles sensitive information.

Dynamic application security testing (DAST) has become a cornerstone of this effort by validating real, exploitable vulnerabilities and providing the verifiable evidence that auditors demand. With Invicti’s DAST-first AppSec platform, organizations can automatically test both applications and APIs, confirm which issues are real, and maintain an auditable trail of remediation that supports compliance across major frameworks.

Why compliance depends on continuous, evidence-based testing

Compliance standards such as PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and SOC 2 all emphasize vulnerability management and secure software development. Yet none prescribes how these requirements should be met, leaving organizations responsible for proving the effectiveness of their controls. Among automated approaches, DAST is unique in providing the attacker’s-eye view that compliance frameworks implicitly expect by testing running applications to uncover real, exploitable weaknesses rather than theoretical risks.

When extended to APIs, this approach becomes even more critical. APIs often handle sensitive data but can get overlooked in traditional scanning programs. Including them in continuous DAST testing ensures that exposure through these endpoints is also measured and mitigated. Invicti’s proof-based scanning further strengthens this process by validating many exploitable vulnerabilities through safe, automated exploitation. Where available, that confirmation reduces false positives, simplifies triage, and produces audit-ready documentation. Combined with Invicti’s application security posture management (ASPM) capabilities, security teams gain continuous visibility into application and API risk posture, supporting both operational security and regulatory assurance.

How DAST and API testing align with major compliance frameworks

A strong compliance posture requires not only testing coverage but also alignment with each framework’s specific control objectives. Modern DAST paired with automated API discovery and testing directly supports these objectives across several leading standards.

PCI DSS v4.0: Continuous testing of web apps and APIs

PCI DSS v4.0 requires organizations that process payment data to maintain secure systems and perform regular internal and external vulnerability scans. Requirements 6 and 11 call for ongoing testing of both applications and networked components. Invicti automates application vulnerability testing that complements PCI ASV external scans and internal scanning requirements, supporting evidence for these sections without replacing approved scanning vendors.

Although APIs are not called out separately in PCI DSS, the standard defines any system component that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data as within scope. This definition includes APIs that handle payment functions or connect to card data environments. Invicti’s API discovery and testing capabilities ensure that these endpoints are located, scanned, and verified as part of the same compliance process that covers web applications.

ISO/IEC 27001:2022: Technical vulnerability and asset management

The 2022 update to ISO/IEC 27001 strengthened requirements around technical vulnerability management. Annex A controls 8.8 and 8.29 specifically call for continuous identification and remediation of vulnerabilities, as well as testing during development and acceptance phases. Invicti’s DAST integrates directly into CI/CD pipelines, supporting these controls through continuous and automated testing.

Extended to APIs, this approach ensures that all technical assets covered by an organization’s information security management system (ISMS) are included in risk management processes. The resulting scan data provides measurable, repeatable evidence for audits and supports continuous improvement initiatives across development teams.

HIPAA: Securing web applications and APIs handling ePHI

The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities to perform “accurate and thorough assessments of potential risks and vulnerabilities” to electronic protected health information (ePHI). While the rule does not name specific technologies, web applications and APIs that transmit or store ePHI must be tested regularly to ensure they are adequately protected.

DAST helps healthcare organizations fulfill this expectation by identifying vulnerabilities that could expose patient data, such as misconfigurations or broken access controls. Including APIs in testing extends this protection to backend systems and data exchange channels that often carry the most sensitive information. Invicti’s reports, complete with timestamps and proof of remediation, serve as verifiable artifacts that support HIPAA’s ongoing technical evaluation requirements.

SOC 2: Demonstrating active detection and remediation

SOC 2’s Trust Services Criteria for Security and Confidentiality require organizations to detect, monitor, and remediate vulnerabilities promptly. Criterion CC7.1 calls for processes that identify and address new security vulnerabilities, while CC7.2 requires monitoring for malicious activity. DAST supports CC7.1 directly and provides complementary input for CC7.2 by continuously assessing running applications for exploitable flaws.

Invicti strengthens this compliance alignment by providing validated findings with proof of exploit (where available) and full remediation tracking. This documentation demonstrates that detection and mitigation processes are not only in place but verifiably effective. Including APIs in SOC 2 testing helps confirm that security controls extend across all interfaces where sensitive data flows, providing complete coverage for the auditor’s review.

Compliance-ready capabilities in Invicti’s DAST-first AppSec platform

Compliance evidence must be both accurate and auditable. Invicti’s platform delivers these assurances through capabilities built for enterprise-scale security and regulatory alignment. Proof-based scanning verifies real vulnerabilities in web applications and APIs, giving security and compliance teams confidence that remediation efforts target genuine risks.

Invicti’s API discovery feature automatically finds shadow or undocumented endpoints and includes them in compliance scans, addressing one of the biggest visibility challenges for auditors. Reports are provided with audit-ready templates and mappings to framework requirements, containing detailed vulnerability descriptions, CVSS scores, timestamps, and proof of fix. Integration with Jira, ServiceNow, and other workflow systems ensures that compliance activities remain connected to security operations.

For organizations managing multiple frameworks or audits, Invicti’s predictive risk scoring and ASPM features further enhance visibility. AI-backed prioritization identifies vulnerabilities most likely to impact business and compliance risk. Continuous scanning schedules maintain a consistent record of due diligence across all applications and APIs, demonstrating ongoing adherence to regulatory obligations.

From checkbox compliance to continuous assurance

Traditional compliance efforts often reduce testing to a periodic task, a box to tick before an audit. Yet frameworks increasingly expect continuous assurance: real, repeatable evidence that security controls are functioning as intended. A DAST-first approach using a capable DAST that’s more than a checkbox addresses this by focusing on live, exploitable risk, producing the kind of verifiable data that satisfies auditors and builds internal confidence.

Including APIs in this scope ensures that compliance extends beyond the user interface to the full modern attack surface. Invicti’s ASPM capabilities unify results from all testing tools and map them to relevant controls, giving organizations a central, auditable view of risk and remediation. With validated results and continuous visibility, teams move beyond reactive compliance and towards proactive assurance.

Next steps

• Read more about the value of a DAST-first mindset for a modern CISO
• Get a demo to see how Invicti’s AppSec platform unifies application and API discovery and testing within a single solution
• Streamline your security audits and compliance efforts with automated vulnerability testing in a continuous process