2024 - LTS QA

Embedded TestingEmbedded TestingIT OutsourcingSoftware Testing

An Ultimate Guide to Offshore Software Testing Success

The trend of outsourcing software testing, particularly to offshore companies, has gained momentum in recent years and it’s for good reason – substantial cost savings.

Indeed, a 2023 study by Zippia revealed that 59% of respondents view outsourcing as a cost-effective solution. This advantage is largely attributed to the lower labor costs found in notable offshore software testing centers like Vietnam. Notably, according to the same research, U.S. businesses can achieve labor cost reductions ranging from 70% to 90% by overseas outsourcing.

Keep on reading to learn about the structure of an offshore software testing team, important considerations for effective outsourcing, strategies for maximizing the benefits of this model, and much more.

What is Offshore Software Testing?

Offshore software testing refers to delegating the software testing process to a service provider located in another country, often in a different time zone. Rather than maintaining an internal team for these tasks, companies collaborate with offshore partners to execute various testing types such as application testing, mobile testing, agile testing, functional testing, and non-functional testing.

Also read: 6 reasons to choose software testing outsourcing

What is Offshore Software Testing?

Onshore vs. offshore software testing

To better understand offshore quality assurance (QA) testing services, it’s important to clarify that geography plays a significant role in this definition. This means that not all remote teams qualify as offshore and if they’re based in the client’s country, sharing the same working hours and language, they’re still classified as onshore testers.

For your quick reference, check out the comparison table below:

Aspect	Onshore software testing	Offshore software testing
Location	Conducted within the same country	Executed in different countries
Time zones	Same time zone	Different time zones
Cost	Higher due to local labor expenses	More cost-effective thanks to significantly lower labor costs in potential outsourcing countries like Vietnam
Communication	Facilitates smoother and more consistent communication between teams, reducing misunderstandings from language barriers	May experience miscommunication resulting from language differences
Association	Allows for easier management of testing requirements and greater control over personnel	Requires strong coordination and thorough project management
Proficiency and quality	Benefits from local expertise and quality	Gets access to a diverse talent pool with varying levels of quality
Legal and compliance	Aligns with local regulations	Must adhere to global legal and compliance standards

Learn more: A complete comparison of nearshore vs. offshore software outsourcing

Structure and Responsibilities of the Perfect Offshore Software Testing Team

The offshore testing team’s structure and size are shaped by different factors, such as the project’s complexity, timeline, and existing resources. However, a typical structure includes 7 key roles as outlined below.

It’s worth noting that not every company requires all of these roles; therefore, businesses should tailor their team composition based on their unique needs.

Structure of the Perfect Offshore Software Testing Team

Manual QA testers

Manual testers are the backbone of most testing projects, handling a large portion of the workload. For mid-sized projects, a team of 3-5 manual QAs is generally sufficient.

QA lead

The QA lead manages the manual QA team, fostering effective communication and coordination. In some instances, this role may be filled by a senior member of the team, who also engages in hands-on testing activities while leading the group.

Automation QA specialists

Automation testers are indispensable for mid- to large-scale projects, particularly those that involve repetitive tests, such as regression testing. Automation specialists typically join the project after manual testers have made initial progress. In some cases, they may start earlier if preliminary tests have been completed by a prior team.

Automation QA lead

The automation QA lead supervises the automation QA team and also participates in numerous testing tasks. Often, the automation lead joins the project before the rest of the team to set up a strong foundation for subsequent work by the automation QAs.

Project manager (PM)

This key role acts as a liaison between the client and the vendor. While a PM can work on the vendor’s side, this arrangement is most suitable for larger projects that deliver services beyond testing. For most testing projects, having a PM on the client’s side is preferable.

DevOps engineer

Responsible for creating the necessary infrastructure, the DevOps engineer makes sure that both development and testing teams have everything they need to operate effectively without interruptions. While a DevOps engineer can work on the client’s side, having a dedicated DevOps engineer within the vendor’s organization often provides more advantages.

Business analyst (BA)

The business analyst gathers business data and insights to recommend pathways for organizational success. The involvement of a BA in a testing project—at least on a part-time basis—can significantly enhance the quality and outcome of the software produced.

In addition to these 7 roles in a testing team, the presence of a development team also greatly contributes to the success of a QA project. This is because without developers available to address bugs identified during testing, the offshore testing team may find itself limited to conducting only initial tests, leading to potential delays in the overall process. Many organizations benefit from harnessing two offshore teams—one for development and another for testing—or maintaining an in-house development team.

Also read:

Key Considerations When Hiring an Offshore QA Testing Team

Whether a company requires a team for a short-term project or is looking to establish a long-term partnership, selecting the right offshore software testing company is a critical decision. Hiring offshore software testing teams without a well-thought-out process can lead to unsatisfactory outcomes.

To achieve successful and mutually beneficial QA collaboration, organizations should take into account 4 key factors as follows:

Key Considerations When Hiring an Offshore QA Testing Team

Expertise and experience

Evaluating the provider’s experience within a specific industry and with projects of similar scale holds significant importance. A partner with a background in the same sector or comparable projects is more likely to deliver results that align closely with future business requirements.

Besides, look for a team with a strong track record in testing methodologies and tools relevant to the project needs. Checking the offshore team’s proficiency with the latest QA technologies and methodologies also helps confirm the project benefits from advanced testing practices.

Additionally, versatility in testing approaches enhances the ability to adapt to differing project needs.

Communication and collaboration

Having clear and consistent communication forms the foundation of any successful partnership. Therefore, companies should prioritize offshore partners that demonstrate strong communication skills and use tools that seamlessly integrate with existing collaboration platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams.

Security and compliance

Conducting a careful review of the vendor’s security protocols and their compliance with relevant data protection regulations is a must for safeguarding sensitive project data. One useful approach to gauge their handling of these matters is to reach out to the provider’s previous clients for insights.

Cost and pricing model

Rather than settling on the first option, businesses should explore various pricing models from multiple providers since it’s of great importance to opt for the offshore testing team whose pricing structure fits the organization’s budget and project needs.

For more tips on optimizing software testing costs, feel free to check out our blog about how much does software testing cost and how to optimize it.

Learn more:

How to Make the Most of the Offshore Software Testing Team?

Choosing the right vendor and building a well-structured team are just the first steps. Continuous and efficient management of offshore testing partners is equally vital in maintaining the QA project’s desired quality.

Here are 5 key strategies to better manage offshore QA testing teams:

How to Make the Most of the Offshore Software Testing Team?

Cultivate strong relationships with the QA team members

A strong rapport and a foundation of trust with the offshore testing team profoundly influence the project’s success.

Begin by building personal connections with them, learning their names, pronunciations, etc.

Encourage team members to create simple slides introducing themselves, including photos and basic information. This is especially helpful when integrating in-house and offshore QA teams.

A project manager might be just the right person to facilitate these connections and strengthen team dynamics.

Communicate effectively and overcome language barriers

Most offshore QA team members possess a good command of English, sufficient for handling technical documentation and day-to-day interactions.

Nevertheless, communication challenges might still arise, especially in offshore settings.

Regular team meetings, structured communication protocols, open discussions, and informal check-ins are a few ways to alleviate potential misunderstandings.

Strike a balanced onshore-offshore partnership

It’s not advisable to assign all testing tasks to offshore teams solely to reduce costs.

Instead, organizations should evaluate which testing activities can realistically be managed by offshore experts, taking into account the complexity of business processes and any access challenges related to testing systems.

This approach clarifies roles and responsibilities for both in-house and offshore teams, allowing for appropriate task assignments based on each team member’s strengths and expertise.

Adapt the issue management process

Using management tools for documenting and tracking defects is common practice, but many projects overlook the importance of effective issue management to address functional, technical, and business-related questions that an offshore quality assurance team may encounter during testing.

To optimize this process, companies should encourage the offshore testing team to utilize a robust web-based document management system.

In addition, don’t forget to leverage time zone differences since a significant time gap can be transformed into an opportunity for near-continuous testing operations and maximizing productivity.

Implement documentation best practices

Another helpful tip is maintaining proactive, clear, and thorough documentation. Starting this process early—even before project launch—enables all stakeholders to quickly access relevant materials to preempt or resolve possible misunderstandings.

Organizations should establish firm guidelines that encompass all areas of documentation: test scenarios, test scripts, execution procedures, results documentation, etc.

Choosing a suitable test management tool is based on the company’s specific needs, but accessibility across locations and proven effectiveness should top the list of criteria.

How Does Offshore Software Testing Operate At LQA?

LQA offers a host of offshore software testing services, ranging from software/hardware integration and mobile application testing to automation, web application, and embedded software testing.

We pride ourselves on providing access to top-tier Vietnamese QA engineers. Our commitment to quality is evident in our impressive track record: a leakage rate of just 0.02% and an average CSS point of 9/10.

Central to LQA’s success is a clearly defined workflow that enables our testing experts to approach each project systematically and efficiently.

Here’s a step-by-step look at our process:

How Does Offshore Software Testing Operate At LQA?

Step 1. Requirement analysis

Our skilled testing professionals start by gathering and analyzing the client’s requirements. This critical step allows us to customize the software testing lifecycle for maximum efficiency and formulate pragmatic approaches tailored to each project.

Step 2. Test planning

Once the LQA team completes the requirement analysis and planning phase, we clearly define the test plan strategy. This involves outlining resource allocation, test environment specifications, any anticipated limitations, and a detailed testing schedule.

Step 3. Test case development

Guided by the established test plan, our IT experts create, verify, and refine test cases and scripts, ensuring alignment with the project objectives.

Step 4. Test environment setup

LQA’s team meticulously determines the optimal software and hardware conditions for testing the IT product. If the development team has already defined the test environment, our testers perform a thorough readiness check or smoke testing to validate its suitability.

Step 5. Test execution

With over 8 years of experience in quality assurance, our dedicated testers execute and maintain test scripts, carefully documenting any identified bugs to guarantee the highest quality.

Step 6. Test cycle closure

After finishing the testing process, our offshore software QA team generates detailed reports, conducts open discussions on test completion metrics and outcomes, and identifies any potential bottlenecks to streamline subsequent test cycles.

Pros and Cons of Offshore Software Testing

Pros

Cost-effectiveness: Lower labor costs in many offshore locations translate to significant budget savings.
Expanded talent pool: Organizations gain access to a global network of skilled testers with specialized offshore QA expertise.
Scalability and flexibility: Offshore teams can be adjusted quickly to accommodate evolving project needs, offering both short and long-term engagement options.
24/7 testing coverage: Continuous testing support and faster iteration cycles are possible with round-the-clock operations.
Government support: Governments in many regions, including Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe, incentivize offshore partnerships with favorable tax incentives and legal frameworks.
Comprehensive documentation: Offshore testing services providers often adhere to rigorous documentation standards, providing transparency and reducing miscommunication risks.

Cons

Communication barriers: Language and cultural differences require proactive management to mitigate misunderstandings.
Time zone differences: Clear communication and potentially staggered schedules are necessary to bridge time gaps.
Intellectual property protection: Thorough due diligence and robust security measures are crucial when entrusting sensitive information to offshore software testing companies.

Future Trends in Offshore Software Testing

Software testing offshore is changing rapidly to keep pace with technological advancements and industry demands. While predicting the future with absolute certainty is impossible, several trends are likely to shape the industry moving forward.

Future Trends in Offshore Software Testing

Artificial intelligence & machine learning integration: Artificial intelligence and machine learning are expected to drive smarter automation, from test case creation and defect prediction to self-healing tests.
DevOps & agile integration: The integration of development and testing teams is becoming increasingly important for expediting release cycles and improving overall product quality. Offshore teams are poised to play a crucial role in continuous testing and feedback loops, carrying out a seamless development process that adapts to shifting requirements.
Blockchain in offshore software QA: Blockchain technology introduces secure, tamper-proof solutions for managing testing artifacts and data. By delivering trust and transparency in the testing process, blockchain can improve the integrity of testing operations, making it an attractive option for organizations seeking reliable and verifiable testing outcomes.

FAQs about Offshore Software Testing

What is offshore software testing?

Offshore software testing refers to delegating the software testing process to a service provider located in another country, often in a different time zone. Rather than maintaining an internal team for these tasks, companies collaborate with offshore partners to execute various testing functions.

When should I consider using offshore software testing?

Offshore software testing proves advantageous in many scenarios:

Large, complex, or long-term projects: When testing demands exceed internal resources.
Budget or time constraints: Accessing potentially lower labor costs and 24/7 testing coverage.
Focus on core competencies: Freeing up internal teams by delegating specialized testing.
Global market expansion: Leveraging expertise in testing for different languages and regions.
Access to cutting-edge trends: Tapping into providers at the forefront of testing innovations.

How do I choose the right offshore testing provider?

To choose the right offshore testing partner, conduct in-depth research and consider these essential factors:

Reputation & experience: Look for established providers with a proven track record and positive client testimonials.
Expertise & skills: Ensure the provider possesses the required technical skills and domain knowledge relevant to your project.
Quality assurance: Inquire about quality control measures, certifications, and adherence to industry best practices.
Tools & infrastructure: Verify access to the necessary testing tools, environments, and infrastructure.
Communication & culture: Prioritize clear communication, cultural fit, and a collaborative approach.

What are the key considerations for effective offshore software testing?

Successful offshore software testing depends on numerous factors.

Crystal-clear communication: Define project requirements, expectations, and timelines upfront.
Seamless collaboration: Maintain regular communication and leverage collaborative tools for progress monitoring.
Timely feedback loops: Establish a system for providing prompt and constructive feedback on testing results.
Strong partnership: Cultivate a relationship built on transparency, trust, and mutual understanding.

Final Thoughts about Offshore Software Testing

Engaging in offshore software testing brings numerous advantages for organizations. However, selecting the right team necessitates careful consideration of different factors, from expertise, communication, and security measures, to pricing structures.

By establishing a well-structured offshore software testing team and implementing the right strategies and best practices, firms can harness this approach to achieve superior software quality, quicker time-to-market, and greater cost efficiency.

For those seeking trustworthy, professional, and experienced offshore software testing services, LQA stands out as a top provider. With over 8 years of experience, we deliver high-quality and cost-effective software testing solutions to clients worldwide. Our offerings include quality assurance consulting and software testing implementation across a wide range of software testing services, such as software/hardware integration testing, mobile application testing, automation testing, web application testing, and embedded software testing.

Website: https://www.lotus-qa.com/
Tel: (+84) 24-6660-7474
Mail: [email protected]
Fanpage: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lqa/

Automated TestingBlogEmbedded TestingManual TestingManual TestingMobile AppWeb App

admin

How Much Does Software Testing Cost and How to Optimize It?

The need for stringent quality control in software development is undeniable since software defects can disrupt interconnected systems and trigger major malfunctions, leading to significant financial losses and damaging a brand’s reputation.

Consider high-profile incidents such as Nissan’s recall of over 1 million vehicles due to a fault in airbag sensor software or the software glitch that led to the failure of a $1.2 billion military satellite launch. In fact, according to the Consortium for Information and Software Quality, poor software quality costs US’ companies over $2.08 trillion annually.

Despite the clear need for effective quality control, many organizations find its cost to be a major obstacle. Indeed, a global survey of IT executives reveals that over half of the respondents view software testing cost as their biggest challenge. No wonder, companies increasingly look for solutions to reduce these costs without sacrificing quality.

In this article, we’ll discuss software testing cost in detail, from its key drivers and estimated amounts to effective ways to cut expenses wisely.

Let’s dive right in!

4 Common Cost Drivers In Software Testing

A 2019 survey of CIOs and senior technology professionals found that software testing can consume between 15% and 25% of a project’s budget, with the average cost hovering around 23%.

So, what drives these substantial costs in software testing? Read on to find out.

4 Common Cost Drivers In Software Testing

Project complexity

First and foremost, the complexity of a software project is a key determinant of testing costs.

Clearly, simple projects may require only minimal testing, whereas complex, multifaceted applications demand more extensive testing efforts. This is due to the fact that complex projects usually feature intricate codebases, numerous integration points, and a wide range of functionalities.

Testing methodology

The chosen testing methodology also plays a big role in defining testing costs.

Various methodologies, such as functional testing, non-functional testing, manual, and automated testing, carry different cost implications.

Automated testing, while efficient, requires an upfront investment in tools and scripting but can save time and resources in the long run since it can quickly and accurately execute repetitive test cases.

On the other hand, manual testing might be more cost-effective for smaller projects with limited testing requirements, yet may still incur ongoing expenses.

Dig deeper: Automation testing vs. manual testing: Which is the cost-effective solution for your firm?

Testing team

The testing team’s type and size are also big cost factors. This includes choosing between an in-house and outsourced team, as well as considering the number and expertise of the company’s testing professionals.

An in-house team requires budgeting for salaries, benefits, and training to ensure they have the necessary skills and expertise. Alternatively, outsourcing to third-party providers or working with freelance testers can reduce fixed labor costs but may introduce additional considerations like contract fees and potential language or time zone differences.

Learn more: 6 reasons to choose software testing outsourcing

Regarding team size and skills, obviously, larger teams or those with more experienced testers demand higher costs compared to smaller teams or those with less experienced staff.

Testing tools and infrastructure

Another factor that significantly contributes to the overall cost of software testing is testing tools and infrastructure.

Tools such as test management software, test automation frameworks, and performance testing tools come with their own expenses, from software licenses, training, and ongoing maintenance, to support fees.

For further insights, consider these resources:

As for testing infrastructure, it refers to the environment a company establishes to perform its quality assurance (QA) work efficiently. This includes hardware, virtual machines, and cloud services, all of which add up to the overall QA budget.

8 Key Elements That Increase Software Testing Expenses

Even with a well-planned budget, unexpected costs might still emerge, greatly increasing the expenses of software testing.

Below are 8 major elements that may cause a company’s testing expenses to rise:

8 Key Elements That Increase Software Testing Expenses

Rewriting programs: When errors and bugs are detected in software, the code units containing these issues need to be rewritten. This process can extend both the time and cost associated with software testing.
System recovery: Failures during testing or software bugs can result in substantial expenditures related to system recovery. This includes restoring system functionality, troubleshooting issues, and minimizing downtime.
Error resolution: The process of identifying and resolving bugs, which often requires specialized resources, extensive testing, and iterative problem-solving, can add new costs to the testing budget.
Data re-entry: Inaccuracies found during testing often necessitate data re-entry, further consuming time and resources.
Operational downtime: System failures and errors can disrupt operational efficiency, leading to downtime that causes additional costs for troubleshooting and repairs.
Strategic analysis sessions: Strategic analysis meetings are necessary for evaluating testing strategies and making informed decisions. However, these sessions also contribute to overall testing costs through personnel, time, and resource expenditures.
Error tracing: Difficulty in pinpointing the root cause of software issues can lengthen testing efforts and inflate costs. This involves tracing errors back to their source, investigating dependencies, and implementing solutions accordingly.
Iterative testing: Ensuring that bug fixes do not introduce new issues often requires multiple testing rounds, known as iterative testing. Each iteration extends the testing timeline and budget as testers verify fixes and guarantee overall system stability.

How Much Does Software Testing Cost?

So, what’s the cost of software testing in the total development cost exactly?

It comes as no surprise that there’s no fixed cost of software testing since it varies based on lots of factors outlined above.

But here’s a quick breakdown of software testing cost estimation, based on location, testing type, and testing role:

Cost estimation of QA testers based on location

Location	Rates
USA	$35 to $45/ hour
UK	$20 to $30/ hour
Ukraine	$25 to $35/ hour
India	$10 to $15/ hour
Vietnam	$8 to $15/ hour

Learn more: Top 10 software testing companies in Vietnam in 2022

QA tester cost estimation based on type of testing

Type of testing	Rates
Functional testing	$15 to $30/ hour
Compatibility testing	$15 to $30/ hour
Automation testing	$20 to $35/ hour
Performance testing	$20 to $35/ hour
Security testing	$25 to $45/ hour

QA tester cost estimation based on their role

Type of tester	Rates
Quality assurance engineer	$25 to $30/ hour
Quality assurance analyst	$20 to $25/ hour
Test engineer	$25 to $30/ hour
Senior quality assurance engineer	$40 to $45/ hour
Automation test engineer	$30 to $35/ hour

How To Reduce Software Testing Costs?

Since many companies are questioning how to reduce the cost of software testing, we’ve compiled a list of top 8 practical best practices to help minimize these costs without compromising quality and results. Check them out below!

How To Reduce Software Testing Costs?

Embrace early and frequent testing

Testing should be an ongoing task throughout the development phase, not just at the project’s end.

Early and frequent testing helps companies detect and resolve bugs efficiently before they escalate into serious issues later on. Plus, post-release bugs are more detrimental and costly to fix, so addressing them early helps maintain code quality and control expenses.

Prioritize test automation

Test automation utilizes specialized software to execute test cases automatically, reducing the reliance on manual testing.

In fact, according to Venture Beat, 97% of software companies have already employed some level of automated testing to streamline repetitive, time-consuming QA tasks.

Although implementing test automation involves initial costs for tool selection, script development, and training, it ultimately leads to significant time and cost savings in the long term, particularly in projects requiring frequent updates or regression testing.

Learn more: Benefits of test automation: Efficiency, accuracy, speed, and ROI

Apply test-driven development

Test-driven development (TDD) refers to writing unit tests before coding. This proactive approach helps identify and address functionality issues early in the development process.

TDD offers several benefits, including cleaner code refactoring, stronger documentation, less debugging rework, improved code readability, and better architecture. Collectively, these advantages help reduce costs and enhance efficiency.

Consider risk-based testing

Risk-based testing prioritizes testing activities based on the risk of failure and the importance of each function.

By focusing on high-risk areas, this approach simplifies test planning and preparation according to the possibility of risks, which not only improves productivity but also makes the testing process more cost-effective.

Implement continuous testing and DevOps

DevOps focuses on combining development and operations, with testing embedded throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC).

When integrating testing into the DevOps pipeline like that, businesses can automate and execute tests continuously as new code is developed and integrated, thereby minimizing the need for expensive post-development testing phases.

Use modern tools for UI testing

Automating visual regression testing with modern, low-code solutions is an effective approach for UI testing.

These tools harness advanced image comparison, analyze and verify document object model (DOM) structure, on-page elements, and handle timeouts automatically. Thus, they allow for rapid UI tests – often in under five minutes – without requiring extensive coding.

In the long run, this practice saves considerable resources, reduces communication gaps among developers, analysts, testers, and enhances the development process’ overall efficiency.

Account for hidden costs

Despite efforts to manage and reduce software testing expenses, unexpected hidden costs can still arise.

For instance, software products with unique functionalities often require specialized testing tools and techniques. In such instances, QA teams may need to acquire new tools or learn specific methodologies, which can incur additional expenses.

Infrastructure costs can also contribute to hidden costs, including fees for paid and open-source software used in automated testing, as well as charges for cloud services, databases, and servers.

Furthermore, updates to testing tools might cause issues with existing code, necessitating extra time and resources from QA engineers.

Outsource software testers

For companies lacking the necessary personnel, skills, time, or resources for effective in-house testing, outsourcing is a viable alternative.

Outsourcing enables access to a broader pool of skilled testers, specialized expertise, and cost efficiencies, particularly in regions with lower labor costs, such as Vietnam.

However, it’s important for businesses to carefully evaluate potential outsourcing partners, establish clear communication channels, and define service-level agreements (SLAs) to ensure the quality of testing services.

For guidance on selecting the right software testing outsourcing partner, check out our resources on the subject:

At LQA – Lotus Quality Assurance, we offer a wide range of testing services, from software and hardware integration testing, mobile application testing, automation testing, web application testing, to embedded software testing and quality assurance consultation. Our tailored testing models are designed to enhance software quality across various industries.

4 Main Categories of Software Testing Costs

Software testing expenses generally fall into four primary categories:

4 Main Categories of Software Testing Costs

Prevention costs

Prevention costs refer to proactive investments aimed at avoiding defects in the software. These costs typically include training developers to create maintainable and testable code or hiring developers with these skills. Investing in prevention helps minimize the likelihood of defects occurring in the first place.

Detection costs

Detection costs are related to developing and executing test cases, as well as setting up environments to identify bugs. This involves creating, running tests, and simulating real-world scenarios to uncover issues early. Investing in detection plays a big role in finding and addressing problems before they escalate, helping prevent more severe issues later on.

Internal failure costs

These costs are incurred when defects are found and corrected before the product is delivered. They encompass the resources and efforts needed to debug, rework code, and conduct additional testing. While addressing bugs internally helps prevent issues from reaching end users, it still causes significant expenses.

External failure costs

External failure costs arise when technical issues occur after the product has been delivered due to compromised quality. External failure costs can be substantial, covering customer support, warranty claims, product recalls, and potential damage to the company’s reputation.

In general, the cost of defects in software testing accounts for a major portion of the total testing expenses, even if no bugs are found. Ensuring these faults are addressed before product delivery is of great importance for saving time, reducing costs, and maintaining a company’s reputation. By carefully planning and evaluating testing activities across these categories, organizations can develop a robust testing strategy that ensures maximum confidence in the final product.

FAQs about Software Testing Cost

Is performing software testing necessary?

Absolutely! Software testing is essential for identifying and eliminating costly errors that could adversely affect both performance and user experience. Effective testing also covers security assessments to detect and address vulnerabilities, which prevents customer dissatisfaction, business loss, and damage to the brand’s reputation.

How to estimate the cost of software testing?

To estimate the cost of software testing, companies need to break down expenses into key categories for clearer budget allocation.

These categories typically include:

Personnel costs: This covers the salaries, benefits, and training expenses for testing team members, including testers, test managers, and automation engineers.
Infrastructure costs: These costs encompass hardware, software, and cloud services needed for testing activities, such as server hardware, virtual machines, test environments, and third-party services.
Tooling costs: For smaller projects, open-source testing tools may suffice, while larger projects might require premium tool suites, leading to higher expenses.

How much time do software testers need to test software solutions?

The duration of software testing projects varies based on lots of factors, from project requirements, the software’s type and complexity, to features and functionalities included and the testing team’s size.

Final Thoughts about Software Testing Cost

Software testing is a pivotal phase in the SDLC, and understanding its costs can be complex without precise project requirements and a clearly defined scope. Once the technology stack and project scope are established, organizations can better estimate their software testing costs.

For effective software testing cost reduction, companies can explore several strategies. Some of them are implementing early and frequent testing, leveraging test automation, adopting risk-based testing, and integrating testing into the DevOps pipeline. Additionally, outsourcing testing can offer significant cost benefits.

At LQA, we provide comprehensive software testing solutions designed to be both high-quality and cost-effective. Rest assured that your software is free of bugs, user-friendly, secure, and ready for successful deployment.

Website: https://www.lotus-qa.com/
Tel: (+84) 24-6660-7474
Mail: [email protected]
Fanpage: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lqa/

admin

Machine Learning Basics Everyone

There are many variations of passages of Lorem Ipsum available, but the majority have suffered alteration in some form, by injected humour, or randomised words which don’t look even slightly believable. As students across the globe continue to see their learning plans significantly.

The basic premise of search engine reputation management is to use the following three strategies to accomplish the goal of creating a completely positive first page of search engine results for a specific term.

Make it Great!

Conclusion

Education

admin

The Brands You Trust, Trust Us

The basic premise of search engine reputation management is to use the following three strategies to accomplish the goal of creating a completely positive first page of search engine results for a specific term.

Make it Great!

Conclusion

Uncategorized

admin

Connecting The Business Technolog

The basic premise of search engine reputation management is to use the following three strategies to accomplish the goal of creating a completely positive first page of search engine results for a specific term.

Make it Great!

Conclusion

UncategorizedUncategorizedUncategorized

admin

Connecting The Business Technology Community

The basic premise of search engine reputation management is to use the following three strategies to accomplish the goal of creating a completely positive first page of search engine results for a specific term.

Make it Great!

Conclusion

Automated TestingManual TestingMobile AppSoftware TestingSoftware TestingWeb App

admin

Understanding Agile Testing: Life Cycle, Strategy, and More

Agile software development adopts an incremental approach to building software, and agile testing methodology follows suit by incrementally testing features as they are developed. Despite agile’s widespread adoption—reportedly used by 71% of companies globally—many organizations, especially those in regulated industries needing formal documentation and traceability, still rely on waterfall or hybrid development models. Meanwhile, some teams are currently transitioning to agile methodologies.

No matter where your organization stands in the agile journey, this article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of agile testing fundamentals, from definition, advantages, and life cycle, to effective strategy.

Without further ado, let’s dive right into it!

What is Agile Testing?

Agile testing is a form of software testing that follows agile software development principles. It emphasizes continuous testing throughout the software’s development life cycle (SDLC). Essentially, whenever there is an update to the software code, the agile testing team promptly verifies its functionality to ensure ongoing quality assurance.

What is Agile Testing

In traditional development, testing occurred separately after the coding phase.

In agile, however, testing is an ongoing process, positioning testers between product owners and developers. This arrangement creates a continuous feedback loop, aiding developers in refining their code.

Two key components of agile software testing are continuous integration and continuous delivery.

Continuous integration involves developers integrating their code changes into a shared repository multiple times a day. Meanwhile, continuous delivery ensures that any change passing all tests is automatically deployed to production.

The primary motivation for adopting agile methodology in software testing is its cost and time efficiency. By relying on regular feedback from end users, agile testing addresses a common issue where software teams might misinterpret features and develop solutions that do not meet user requirements. This approach ensures that the final product closely aligns with user needs and expectations.

Agile Testing Life Cycle

The testing life cycle in agile operates in sync with the overall agile software development life cycle, focusing on continuous testing, collaboration, and enhancement.

Essentially, it comprises 5 key phases, with objectives outlined below:

Agile Testing Life Cycle

Test planning

Initial preparation: At the outset of a project is agile test planning, with testers working closely with product owners, developers, and stakeholders to fully grasp project requirements and user stories.
User story analysis: Testers examine user stories to define acceptance criteria and establish test scenarios, ensuring alignment with anticipated user behavior and business goals.
Test strategy: Based on the analysis, testers devise a comprehensive test strategy that specifies test types (unit, integration, acceptance, etc.,), tools, and methodologies to be employed.
Test estimation: For effective test planning, it’s necessary for your team to estimate testing efforts and resources required to successfully implement each sprint of the strategy.

Check out How to create a test plan: Components, steps and template for further details.

Daily scrums (stand-ups)

Collaborative planning: Daily scrum meetings, also known as stand-ups, facilitate synchronized efforts between development and testing teams, enabling them to review progress and plan tasks collaboratively.
Difficulty identification: Testers use stand-ups to raise testing obstacles, such as resource limitations and technical issues, that may impact sprint goals.
Adaptation: Stand-ups provide an opportunity to adapt testing strategies based on changes in user stories or project priorities decided in the sprint planning meeting.

Release readiness

Incremental testing: Agile encourages frequent releases of the product’s potentially shippable increments. Release readiness testing ensures each increment meets stringent quality standards and is deployment-ready.
Regression testing: Prior to release, regression testing in agile is conducted to validate that new features and modifications do not adversely impact existing functionalities.
User acceptance testing (UAT): Stakeholders engage in UAT to verify software compliance with business requirements and user expectations before final deployment.

Test agility review

Continuous evaluation: This refers to regular review sessions throughout the agile testing life cycle to assess the agility of testing processes and their adaptability to evolving requirements.
Quality assessment: Test agility reviews help gauge the effectiveness of test cases in identifying defects early in the development phase.

Learn more: Guide to 5 test case design techniques with examples

Feedback incorporation: Stakeholder, customer, and team feedback is all integrated to refine testing approaches, aiming to enhance overall quality assurance practices.

Impact assessment

Change management: Change management in agile involves frequent adaptations to requirements, scope, or priorities. The impact assessment examines how these changes impact existing test cases, scripts, and overall testing efforts.
Risk analysis: Testers examine possible risks associated with changes to effectively prioritize testing tasks and minimize risks.
Communication: Impact assessment necessitates clear communication among development, testing, and business teams to ensure everyone comprehends the implications of changes on project timelines and quality goals.

4 Essential Components of an Agile Testing Strategy

In traditional testing, the process heavily relies on comprehensive documentation.

However, the testing process in agile prioritizes software delivery over extensive documentation, allowing testers to adapt quickly to changing requirements.

Therefore, instead of detailing every activity, teams should develop a test strategy that outlines the overall approach, guidelines, and objectives.

While there is no one-size-fits-all formula due to varying team backgrounds and resources, here are 4 key elements that should be included in an agile testing strategy.

Essential Components of an Agile Testing Strategy

Documentation

The first and foremost element of an agile testing strategy is documentation.

The key task here is finding the right balance—providing enough detail to serve its purpose without overloading or missing important information.

Since testing in agile is iterative, quality assurance (QA) teams must create and update a test plan for each new feature and sprint.

Generally, the aim of this plan is to minimize unnecessary information while capturing essential details needed by stakeholders and testers to effectively execute the plan.

A one-page agile test plan template typically includes the following sections:

One-page agile test plan template

Sprint planning

In agile testing, it’s crucial for a team to plan their work within time-boxed sprints.

Timeboxing helps define the maximum duration allocated for each sprint, creating a structured framework for iterative development.

Within Scrum – a common agile framework, a sprint typically lasts for one month or less, during which the team aims to achieve predefined sprint goals.

This time-bound approach sets a rhythm for consistent progress and adaptability, fostering a collaborative and responsive environment that aligns with agile principles.

Apart from sprint duration, during sprint planning, a few key things should be factored in:

Test objectives based on user stories
Test scope and timeline
Test types, techniques, data, and environments

Test automation

Test automation is integral to agile testing as it enables teams to quickly keep pace with the rapid development cycles of agile methodology.

But, one important question arises: which tests should be automated first?

Below is a list of questions to help you prioritize better:

Will the test be repeated?
Is it a high-priority test or feature?
Does the test need to run with multiple datasets or paths?
Is it a regression or smoke test?
Can it be automated with the existing tech stack?
Is the area being tested prone to change?
Can the tests be executed in parallel or only sequentially?
How expensive or complicated is the required test architecture?

Deciding when to automate tests during sprints is another crucial question to ask. Basically, there are two main approaches:

Concurrent execution: Automating tests alongside feature development ensures immediate availability of tests, facilitating early bug detection and prompt feedback.
Alternating efforts: Automating tests in subsequent sprints following feature development allows developers to focus on new features without interruption but may delay the availability of agile automated testing.

The choice between these approaches should depend on your team dynamics, project timelines, feature complexity, team skill sets, and project requirements. In fact, agile teams may opt for one approach only or a hybrid based on project context and specific needs.

Dig deeper into automation testing:

Risk management

Conducting thorough risk analysis before executing tests boosts the efficiency of agile testing, making sure that resources are allocated effectively and potential pitfalls are mitigated beforehand.

Essentially, tests with higher risk implications require greater attention, time, and effort from your QA team. Moreover, specific tests crucial to certain features must be prioritized during sprint planning.

Contact LQA for expert agile testing solutions

Agile Testing Quadrants Explained

The agile testing quadrant, developed by Brian Marick, is a framework that divides the agile testing methodology into four fundamental quadrants.

By categorizing tests into easily understood dimensions, the agile testing quadrant enables effective collaboration and clarity in the testing process, facilitating swift and high-quality product delivery.

At its heart, the framework categorizes tests along two dimensions:

Tests that support programming or the team vs. tests that critique the product
Tests that are technology-facing vs. tests that are business-facing

But first, here’s a quick explanation of these terms:

Tests that support the team: These tests help the team build and modify the application confidently.
Tests that critique the product: These tests identify shortcomings in the product or feature.
Tests that are technology-facing: These are written from a developer’s perspective, using technical terms.
Tests that are business-facing: These are written from a business perspective, using business terminology.

Agile Testing Quadrants Explained

Quadrant 1: Technology-facing tests that support the team

Quadrant 1 includes technology-driven tests performed to support the development team. These tests, primarily automated, focus on internal code quality and provide developers with rapid feedback.

Common tests in this quadrant are:

Unit tests
Integration/API tests
Component tests

These tests are quick to execute, easy to maintain, and essential for Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) environments.

Some example frameworks and agile testing tools used in this quadrant are Junit, Nunit, Xunit, RestSharp, RestAssured, Jenkins, Visual Studio, Eclipse, etc.

Quadrant 1: Technology-facing tests that support the team

Quadrant 2: Business-facing tests that support the team

Quadrant 2 involves business-facing tests aimed at supporting the development team. It blends both automated and manual testing approaches, seeking to validate functionalities against specified business requirements.

Tests in Q2 include:

Functional tests
Examples
Story tests
Prototypes
Simulations

Here, skilled testers collaborate closely with stakeholders and clients to ensure alignment with business goals.

Tools like BDD Cucumber, Specflow, Selenium, and Protractor can help facilitate the efficient execution of tests in this quadrant.

Quadrant 2: Business-facing tests that support the team

Quadrant 3: Business-facing tests that critique the product

Quadrant 3 comprises tests that assess the product from both a business and user acceptance perspective. These tests are crucial for verifying the application against user requirements and expectations.

Manual agile testing methods are predominantly used in this quadrant to conduct:

Exploratory testing
Scenario-based testing
Usability testing
User acceptance testing
Demos and alpha/beta testing

Interestingly, during UAT, testers often collaborate directly with customers to guarantee the product meets user needs effectively.

Quadrant 3: Business-facing tests that critique the product

Quadrant 4: Technology-facing tests that critique the product

Quadrant 4 focuses on technology-driven tests that critique the product’s non-functional aspects, covering from performance, load, stress, scalability, and reliability to compatibility and security testing.

Automation tools to run such non-functional tests include Jmeter, Taurus, Blazemeter, BrowserStack, and OWASP ZAP.

All in all, these four quadrants serve as a flexible framework for your team to efficiently plan testing activities. However, it’s worth noting that there are no strict rules dictating the order in which quadrants should be applied and teams should feel free to adjust based on project requirements, priorities, and risks.

Quadrant 4: Technology-facing tests that critique the product

Advantages of Agile Testing

Agile testing offers a host of benefits that seamlessly integrate with the agile development methodology.

Advantages of Agile Testing

Shorter release cycles

Unlike traditional development cycles, where products are released only after all phases are complete, agile testing integrates development and testing continuously. This approach ensures that products move swiftly from development to deployment, staying relevant in a rapidly evolving market.

Higher quality end product

Agile testing enables teams to identify and fix defects early in the development process, reducing the likelihood of bugs making it to the final release.

Improved operational efficiency

Agile testing eliminates idle time experienced in linear development models, where testers often wait for projects to reach the testing phase. By parallelizing testing with development, agile maximizes productivity, enabling more tasks to be accomplished in less time.

Enhanced end-user satisfaction

Agile testing prioritizes rapid delivery of solutions, meeting customer demands for timely releases. Continuous improvement cycles also ensure that applications evolve to better meet user expectations and enhance overall customer experience.

FAQs about Agile Testing

What is agile methodology in testing?

Agile testing is a form of software testing that follows agile software development principles. It emphasizes continuous testing throughout the software’s development lifecycle. Essentially, whenever there is an update to the software code, the testing team promptly verifies its functionality to ensure ongoing quality assurance.

What are primary principles of agile testing?

When implementing agile testing, teams must uphold several core principles as follows:

Continuous feedback
Customer satisfaction
Open communication
Simplicity
Adaptability
Collaboration

What are some common types of testing in agile?

Five of the most widely adopted agile testing methodologies in current practice are:

Test-driven development
Acceptance test-driven development
Behavior-driven development
Exploratory testing
Session-based testing

What are key testing metrics in agile?

Agile testing metrics help gauge the quality and effectiveness of testing efforts. Here are some of the most important metrics to consider:

Test coverage
Defect density
Test execution progress
Test execution efficiency
Cycle time
Defect turnaround time
Customer satisfaction
Agile test velocity
Escaped defects

Final Thoughts about Agile Testing

Agile testing aligns closely with agile software development principles, embracing continuous testing throughout the software lifecycle. It enhances product quality and enables shorter release cycles, fostering customer satisfaction through reliable, frequent releases.

While strategies may vary based on team backgrounds and resources, 4 essential elements that should guide agile testing strategies are documentation, sprint planning, test automation, and risk management.

Also, applying the agile testing quadrants framework can further streamline your team’s implementation.

At LTS Group, we boast a robust track record in agile testing—from mobile and web applications to embedded software and automation testing. Our expertise is validated by international certifications such as ISTQB, PMP, and ISO, underscoring our commitment to excellence in software testing.

Should you have any projects in need of agile testing services, drop LQA a line now!

Contact LQA for expert agile testing solutions

Finance

admin

Machine Learning Basics Everyone Should Know

The basic premise of search engine reputation management is to use the following three strategies to accomplish the goal of creating a completely positive first page of search engine results for a specific term.

Make it Great!

Conclusion

admin

Connecting The Business Technology Community

The basic premise of search engine reputation management is to use the following three strategies to accomplish the goal of creating a completely positive first page of search engine results for a specific term.

Make it Great!

Conclusion

BlogBlogBlogNews

admin

Cybersecurity Trends: 8 Emerging Trends to Watch Out in 2024

Cybersecurity is the art of safeguarding networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or misuse, ensuring information remains confidential, intact, and accessible.

While cybersecurity isn’t a new concept, it’s on the cusp of significant changes in 2024. Cyber threats are not only increasing in frequency but also growing more sophisticated, fueled by the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and IoT. This calls for fresh protection strategies from stakeholders.

Here are 8 cybersecurity trends for 2024 that your organization should take note of.

Increased Use of AI and ML

AI in cyber threat detection

As the frequency of modern security threats continues to surge, relying solely on human intervention for cybersecurity is no longer sufficient. Consequently, more and more businesses are leveraging the power of AI and ML to fortify their security frameworks.

The benefits are tangible: organizations that experienced data breaches but had fully integrated AI technology saved an average of $1.76 million in 2023.

Looking ahead to 2024, AI and ML will take on even greater significance in the realm of cybersecurity.

Increased Use of AI and ML

AI has already proven instrumental in crafting automated security protocols, deciphering natural language, recognizing faces, and swiftly identifying potential threats.

Its sophisticated data analysis capabilities are becoming indispensable for preempting and detecting new cyber threats early on. By continuously analyzing risks, AI tools can promptly flag suspicious user behavior, abnormal login attempts, and irregular network activities.

In addition, the advent of AI-driven security bots seems imminent, programmed to autonomously detect and thwart cyber threats, fostering a more proactive approach to network security.

Meanwhile, ML algorithms are constantly evolving to improve their ability to identify and counteract emerging threats, thereby bolstering defensive measures with time. It’s foreseeable that ML will progress to autonomously adapt and refine cybersecurity protocols, reducing the need for manual updates.

AI-powered cyberattacks

On the flip side of AI’s potential for reinforcing threat detection is its exploitation by cybercriminals.

Hackers are increasingly harnessing AI to automate their attacks, employing tactics such as data poisoning and model stealing. Examples of such malicious activities include

automated phishing attempts,
malevolent chatbots,
the utilization of adversarial ML algorithms to disrupt operations and tamper with data integrity.

With the aid of AI, criminals can devise advanced malware and sophisticated attack strategies. They train AI models with pilfered data and then adopt various AI tools to dissect stolen data and extract sensitive information. This makes it much easier for cybercriminals and hackers to successfully carry out data breaches and ransomware attacks.

Furthermore, the advent of generative AI (GenAI) allows attackers to execute campaigns at scale, targeting a vast array of individuals with highly personalized and convincing emails. Access to personal information such as names, organizations, job titles, departments, or even health data helps attackers tailor their attacks with unprecedented precision, posing a significant challenge to cybersecurity professionals.

The Rise in Cloud Security Threats

The next cybersecurity threat trend is cloud vulnerability. The widespread adoption of remote work, especially post-pandemic, has accelerated the need for cloud-based services and infrastructure, bringing along security concerns for organizations. Indeed, approximately 20% of data breaches within companies are attributed to remote workers utilizing cloud-based platforms.

Alongside data breaches, businesses grapple with various network security trends and cloud security challenges, including:

ensuring compliance with regulations across different jurisdictions
seeking adequate IT expertise to manage the complexities of cloud computing
addressing challenges in cloud migration
managing an increased number of potential entry points for cyber attackers
tackling insider threats, whether accidental or deliberate, stemming from unauthorized remote access, weak passwords, insecure networks, and misuse of personal devices.

According to Deloitte’s annual cybersecurity threat report, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and cloud-based storage services were the most targeted cloud environments in 2023, accounting for 39% and 36% of attacks, respectively. Deloitte’s Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) also revealed specific threat vectors in the cloud, including unmanaged attack surfaces, human error, and misconfigurations.

One effective strategy to counter this cyber attack trend is Zero Trust. One of the prominent advantages of this approach lies in its efficacy in mitigating insider threats and thwarting lateral movement of attackers within a network.

At its core, Zero Trust operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify”.

In a zero-trust model, every access request is treated as a potential threat, regardless of its source or network. This approach requires stringent identity verification, tight access controls, and continuous monitoring of network activities.

Typically, once implementing Zero Trust, your organization has to take into account numerous cybersecurity aspects, from user authentication, and endpoint security, to the principle of least privilege access.

Growing Importance of IoT Security

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to physical objects equipped with sensors and actuators that connect to computer systems through wired or wireless networks, enabling digital monitoring or control of the physical world.

Common examples of IoT devices include fitness trackers, smart refrigerators, smartwatches, and voice assistants like Amazon Echo and Google Home. It’s projected that by 2026, there will be 64 billion IoT devices worldwide.

However, the growing number of IoT devices poses numerous security challenges.

To be specific, the diversity and widespread usage of these devices make them attractive targets for cyberattacks, and their interconnected nature can lead to extensive vulnerabilities.

The proliferation of these devices also expands what’s known as the cyber-attack surface – the potential entry points for malicious actors. In addition, unlike laptops and smartphones, most IoT devices have limited processing and storage capabilities, making it difficult to implement conventional security measures like firewalls and antivirus software.

In response, 2024 will witness a concerted effort to bolster IoT security through various means.

IoT Security Measures

One significant advancement will be the development of stronger, standardized security protocols for IoT devices, potentially including universal encryption standards and mandatory security certifications.

Plus, there’ll be a growing focus on integrating AI and ML algorithms and blockchain technology into IoT systems to detect unusual patterns indicative of breaches and enable rapid threat response.

An increased emphasis on educating users about IoT security risks and best practices is also expected to lead the trend in 2024 within organizations.

At LQA, we specialize in delivering top-notch embedded software testing services globally. Our expert testers meticulously examine sensor functionality, network security systems, and other aspects of IoT devices, ensuring compliance with robust and standardized security protocols. Whether it’s sensor testing, network testing, or industrial protocol testing, rest assured, we have the expertise to ensure the secure and seamless operation of your organization’s IoT system.

Remote Working Cybersecurity Risks

Remote work continues to reshape the business and cybersecurity landscape in 2024. According to Upwork, over 35 million Americans are expected to work remotely by the end of 2025, marking an 87% increase from pre-pandemic levels. However, this trend comes with its own set of cybersecurity risks.

Chances are most home offices lack the robust security measures found in centralized offices, such as secure firewalls, routers, and managed access controls. As a result, adapting to remote work setups may lead to less stringent security measures, giving cybercriminals opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities.

Besides, many employees use personal devices for work-related tasks and this blurring of personal and professional boundaries heightens the risk of sensitive information being compromised.

Hence, it’s crucial for organizations to prioritize addressing the security challenges posed by distributed workforces. This involves:

constantly identifying and mitigating emerging security vulnerabilities,
updating systems,
implementing security controls,
ensuring proper monitoring and documentation.

We also highly recommend your business invest in Identity and Access Management Tools (IAM) to further mitigate risks and improve operational management. With IAM solutions, companies can easily analyze user activities, streamline secure sign-in processes based on corporate norms, and prompt users for additional authentication when needed.

Enhanced Focus on Mobile Security

In 2024, the growing reliance on mobile devices for remote work, financial transactions, personal communication, etc. is forecasted to make them prime targets for cyber threats.

In general, mobile threats encompass:

specialized spyware targeting encrypted messaging apps
exploitation of critical device security vulnerabilities by criminals
mobile malware capable of executing various attacks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), SMS spam, and data theft

Enhanced Focus on Mobile Security

Standing among the latest cybersecurity technology trends, mobile cybersecurity covers a wide array of components, including back-end, cloud security, network security, and the expanding network of interconnected devices, known as the Internet of Things (IoT), such as wearables and automotive devices. That’s why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to safeguarding apps in insecure environments; rather, it involves implementing multiple layers of security to boost overall protection. Some security experts are even integrating mobile software security with hardware-based solutions to strengthen data storage security.

To address mobile security concerns fully, businesses can leverage LQA’s premium secure mobile application testing services. Our rigorous testing not only takes place before app releases but also on a continuous basis, assuring compliance with functional, performance, and security standards to elevate your overall software quality and user satisfaction.

Blockchain and Cybersecurity

Blockchain technology is gaining increasing recognition for its potential to greatly enhance cybersecurity practices. Essentially, blockchain is a decentralized ledger system known for its built-in security features such as immutability, transparency, and resistance to tampering. These attributes make it an attractive solution for safeguarding digital transactions and shielding data from emerging cyber threats.

One significant way blockchain is bolstering cybersecurity is by preventing data tampering. Once data is recorded on a blockchain, it becomes practically impossible to alter without network consensus, thus preventing hackers’ attempts at manipulation. This feature proves particularly valuable for securing sensitive information like personal identities, financial transactions, and critical infrastructure data.

Blockchain can also be leveraged to develop more secure and decentralized identity management systems. By storing identity data on a blockchain, individuals and organizations gain greater control over information access, thereby minimizing the risks of identity theft and fraud.

Furthermore, blockchain is poised to play a more pivotal role in securing IoT devices. Integration of blockchain into IoT networks enables each device to function as a secure, independent node, strengthening the entire network against attacks that exploit centralized security vulnerabilities.

The adoption of blockchain-based smart contracts is also anticipated to rise, facilitating automation and security in digital agreements. These self-executing contracts offer enhanced security in various online transactions, guaranteeing compliance and reducing breach risks.

The Evolution of Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is a form of malicious software (malware) that threatens to block access to data or computer systems, usually by encrypting them, until a ransom fee is paid to the attacker.

The Evolution of Ransomware Attacks

According to a US government report, there are over 4,000 ransomware attacks daily. Cybercrime Magazine even reported that in 2021, a targeted ransomware attack occurred approximately every 11 seconds, excluding attacks on individuals. It’s projected that ransomware attacks on businesses, consumers, governments, and devices will happen every two seconds by 2031.

And these losses exceeded $1 billion in 2023, as reported by the Professional Insurance Agents Western Alliance, underscoring the urgent need for adaptation in cybersecurity technologies.

However, a huge roadblock is that ransomware tactics have rapidly evolved over the past decade, transitioning from locker malware that blocked system access to current methods involving data encryption and exfiltration. These techniques are successful because decrypting data without the hackers’ decryption key is extremely challenging, if not impossible. Even when the ransom is paid, nearly a quarter of companies, as per the 2023 Ransomware Trends report, still don’t regain access to their data; and around 34% of encrypted data remains unrecoverable.

On top of that, ransomware attackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their phishing tactics, leveraging machine learning and dark web collaboration, while often demanding payment in cryptocurrencies, making tracing particularly difficult.

In the near future, we expect more ransomware attacks targeting organizations that lack robust security testing measures, including a concerning trend known as Ransomware as a Service (RaaS).

In this model, cybercriminals provide ransomware tools and infrastructure to other malicious actors, who then execute attacks.

The emergence of RaaS demands comprehensive and proactive cybersecurity testing measures, along with close collaboration between public and private sectors.

Regulatory Compliance as a Discipline

Last but not least, an important cybersecurity future trend to watch is the rising significance of regulatory compliance.

Generally, regulations related to cybersecurity can be categorized into two main types: data protection regulations and cybersecurity regulations. While these requirements may overlap, they each have distinct focuses. One crucial aspect to differentiate between them is that the theft or accidental release of consumer data often leads to administrative penalties and other financial repercussions.

Regarding cybersecurity regulations, they outline the most basic security standards for products, software, and networks. A few examples of such regulations are:

The EU’s NIS2 cybersecurity law
New York’s NYDFS cybersecurity regulations
The UK Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure regime
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

As for data privacy, as it impacts nearly all aspects of an organization, non-compliance with regulations can lead to fines, negative publicity, and erosion of consumer trust.

As a consequence, businesses are increasingly focusing on hiring data privacy officers and implementing measures like role-based access control, multi-factor authentication, encryption of data in transit and at rest, network segmentation, and external assessments to identify areas for improvement.

FAQs about Top Trends in Cybersecurity in 2024

What are the most common cybersecurity threats today?

Among the most prevalent cybersecurity threats are phishing attacks, ransomware, different types of malware like Trojans and viruses, insider threats, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

How can individuals and businesses enhance their protection?

Individuals and businesses can bolster their cybersecurity by regularly updating their software, using strong and unique passwords, implementing multi-factor authentication, educating themselves on cybersecurity practices, and investing in reliable antivirus and anti-malware software.

What are the impacts of emerging technologies on future cybersecurity?

Emerging technologies like AI and IoT offer promising opportunities but also pose significant challenges for the future of cybersecurity. While AI can strengthen threat detection and response, it also introduces new risks exploited by cybercriminals. Similarly, IoT devices bring in vulnerabilities that malicious actors can exploit. To effectively combat the latest cybersecurity threats, future cybersecurity strategies must adapt to incorporate these technologies into comprehensive defense mechanisms.

Final Thoughts about Cybersecurity Industry Trends

As we’ve discussed the top 2024 emerging trends in cybersecurity above, it’s evident that our digital world is rapidly changing, from the rise of cloud-based services to the emergence of new IoT devices. This evolution brings fresh challenges and underscores the need for robust defenses.

To stay secure amidst growing threats, 2024 calls for a modern cyber-defense approach that remains adaptable to ever-changing trends of cybersecurity. Both individuals and organizations should assess their current digital footprint and strategize ways to reduce the risk of attacks – both now and in the future.

Website: https://www.lotus-qa.com/
Tel: (+84) 24-6660-7474
Mail: [email protected]
Fanpage: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lqa/