Launching a digital product without proper security validation can result in critical data leaks, regulatory penalties, and loss of user trust. Before pushing your application to production, it's essential to verify its security posture across all key layers—from backend logic and APIs to session handling, access control, and infrastructure.
This Security Testing Checklist Before Go-Live is a practical framework designed for QA engineers, DevOps professionals, and security leads to systematically validate readiness and eliminate critical vulnerabilities before the final release.
Comprehensive Security Testing Checklist Before Go-Live
Authentication & Authorization
Ensure multi-factor authentication (MFA) is in place, and that password policies enforce length, complexity, and expiration rules. Every sensitive action—especially those involving user roles—should undergo strict authorization checks based on RBAC principles.
Input Validation and Data Sanitization
Validate every input server-side to prevent SQL injection, XSS, and command injection vulnerabilities. All outputs should be encoded to prevent script execution, and parameterized queries should be used wherever possible. Client-side validation may also improve UX.
Session Management
Sessions should expire after inactivity and regenerate tokens upon login/logout. Cookies must use Secure and HttpOnly flags, and session fixation or reuse should not be possible.
Error Handling and Logging
Ensure 404 and 500 errors don’t reveal stack traces or environment details. Implement custom error pages and sanitize messages. Logging should capture key events like logins, access control changes, and potential abuse attempts—and these logs must be secured.
Transport Layer Security
Enforce HTTPS across all environments. SSL/TLS certificates should be valid and preferably include HSTS policies. Weak cyphers and outdated protocols must be disabled to prevent downgrade attacks.
API Security
APIs should use authentication and rate limiting to protect against brute force and denial-of-service attacks. Sensitive data must not be exposed in responses, and tokens (JWT, OAuth) should be securely issued, validated, and revoked when needed.
Infrastructure & Configuration Security
Remove any unnecessary services, open ports, and default admin panels. Apply all patches for the OS and app libraries. Environment variables and debug tools must be hidden in production. Firewalls should be configured for isolation and protection.
Data Security and Compliance
All personal or sensitive data should be encrypted both in transit and at rest. Compliance requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS must be met, and a privacy policy should be in place. Backup plans and recovery workflows should be tested for resilience.
Vulnerability Scanning & Penetration Testing
Complete automated scans using tools like OWASP ZAP or Nessus, and manually test high-risk areas. Fix all critical vulnerabilities and retest to confirm patch effectiveness. Keep a report log as part of your audit trail.
Third-Party Components and Dependencies
Use software composition analysis (SCA) to assess dependencies for known CVEs. Update all third-party scripts, plugins, and CDNs. Avoid outdated or unsupported components that may introduce silent risks.
Go-Live Risk Matrix Template
| Area | Status | Risk Level | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authentication | ✅ | Low | MFA and role-based access set |
| API Gateway Security | ✅ | Medium | Rate limiting added |
| TLS Configuration | ⚠️ | High | Needs HSTS policy implementation |
| Third-party Libraries | ✅ | Medium | Updated via NPM audit |
Use this matrix as a dynamic decision-making tool before sign-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should I start executing this checklist?
A: Ideally, 2–3 weeks before going live to allow sufficient time for fixes and validation.
Q: Who is responsible for maintaining the checklist?
A: QA, DevOps, and the security team should jointly manage it to ensure shared accountability.
Q: Is automated scanning alone enough before production release?
A: No. Combine it with manual code reviews and logic testing for holistic security assurance.
Conclusion
Security readiness isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about protecting your business, users, and reputation from irreversible damage. This go-live checklist ensures that your application is production-ready, resilient, and aligned with industry security standards.
At Testriq QA Lab LLP, we partner with engineering and security teams to validate every layer of your application, helping you launch with confidence.