When code moves from commit to production in hours or even minutes, you need application security platforms that integrate directly into CI/CD pipelines and are designed to keep up with that pace by running security testing automatically as part of everyday development workflows. The best platforms do this without creating friction for developers or slowing delivery, while still giving security teams the accuracy, visibility, and control they need.

This guide looks at what CI/CD-integrated application security really means, why it matters for DevSecOps teams, and which platforms stand out today – with Invicti leading the list for organizations that need scalable, validated security testing across web applications and APIs.

Key takeaways

• CI/CD pipelines require automated, continuous application security testing.
• Accuracy and validation are critical to avoid pipeline noise and friction.
• Modern AppSec platforms must cover web applications and APIs.
• Invicti leads for enterprise-scale, CI/CD-integrated application security.
• Acunetix is a strong option for smaller or less complex environments.

Why do modern CI/CD pipelines require built-in application security?

CI/CD pipelines are built to optimize speed and repeatability. Manual security reviews and late-stage testing do not fit well into this model, especially when teams are deploying multiple times per day. When security is treated as a separate phase, it often becomes a bottleneck or is bypassed altogether.

Built-in application security addresses this by shifting testing earlier and distributing it across the pipeline. Instead of acting as a single gate at the end, security becomes a continuous validation process that runs alongside builds, tests, and deployments. This approach allows teams to detect exploitable vulnerabilities as soon as they are introduced, when fixes are cheaper and easier to apply.

In practical terms, CI/CD-integrated AppSec enables security testing to run automatically without slowing delivery, aligning security outcomes with the realities of modern software development.

What does CI/CD-integrated application security actually mean?

CI/CD-integrated application security refers to tools that can run automatically inside development pipelines, triggered by events such as code commits, pull requests, or deployments to staging environments. These tools are designed to be invoked programmatically, either through native integrations or APIs, rather than requiring manual intervention.

Effective AppSec integration into CI/CD also includes fast and actionable feedback loops. Scan results need to be delivered in a form developers can act on immediately, such as build logs, pull request checks, or tickets in existing issue trackers. Over time, this automation allows security testing to become a routine part of development rather than a special event.

What features should the best CI/CD-integrated AppSec platforms include?

Choosing an application security platform for CI/CD pipelines requires looking beyond a simple checklist of supported tools. The following capabilities form a practical evaluation framework for teams running high-velocity DevSecOps workflows.

Can the platform run automatically inside CI/CD pipelines?

At a minimum, the platform should support native integrations with common CI/CD systems such as GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps, and Jenkins. An API-first design is equally important, allowing teams to script scans, manage results, and integrate security testing into custom workflows.

Automation should be reliable and repeatable, with clear configuration options for triggering scans, setting thresholds, and handling failures without manual tuning on every run.

Does it provide accurate, low-noise vulnerability detection?

In CI/CD environments, accuracy matters more than volume. Large numbers of false positives quickly erode trust and lead teams to ignore results or disable scans altogether. The best platforms validate findings wherever possible and focus on delivering actionable issues that represent real risk.

Low-noise results are especially important when scans are wired into build pipelines, where a single false failure can block releases and frustrate developers.

Can it keep pace with frequent releases?

CI/CD-integrated security testing must be fast enough to run regularly. Platforms should support incremental or optimized scanning approaches that fit within typical build times, as well as automated retesting to confirm fixes without requiring full rescans every time.

Support for continuous delivery depends on this balance between coverage and speed.

Does it support modern application architectures?

Organizations are no longer securing monolithic web applications but more commonly distributed, API-heavy environments. Effective platforms need to support web applications, APIs, and microservices, including authenticated and stateful workflows. Without this coverage, significant portions of the attack surface remain untested.

Does it support enterprise governance and compliance?

Especially for larger organizations, CI/CD integration must coexist with governance requirements. Features such as role-based access control, audit-ready reporting, and alignment with standards like PCI DSS, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and DORA are critical for operating at scale without sacrificing oversight.

How we evaluated application security platforms for CI/CD integration

To identify the best platforms, the evaluation focused on how well each tool integrates into real-world CI/CD pipelines rather than on isolated feature claims. Key criteria included the depth of native integrations, the quality of automation and API support, the accuracy and validation of findings, and the ability to scale across multiple teams and pipelines.

Developer experience also played an important role, particularly how results are surfaced and how easily teams can remediate issues without leaving their existing workflows.

What are the best application security platforms with CI/CD integration today?

A range of vendors offer CI/CD integrations, but they differ significantly in focus, maturity, and suitability for different environments. The platforms below represent common choices for organizations evaluating CI/CD-integrated application security, with Invicti standing out for enterprise-scale, DAST-first automation.

1. Invicti: Best application security platform for CI/CD integration

Invicti is best suited for large enterprises and high-velocity DevSecOps teams running complex CI/CD pipelines across many applications and teams.

Invicti ranks first because it was designed to embed security directly into CI/CD workflows rather than treating automation as an add-on. The platform integrates natively with major CI/CD tools and exposes comprehensive APIs for orchestrating scans, managing results, and automating retesting on every build.

A key differentiator is Invicti’s proof-based DAST, which validates vulnerabilities by safely confirming exploitability. This approach dramatically reduces false positives, making it practical to enforce security testing inside pipelines without introducing noise or unnecessary failures. Invicti supports both web applications and APIs by default, including authenticated and stateful testing, and scales across large, multi-team environments with strong governance and reporting capabilities.

The result is continuous, validated security testing that aligns with rapid delivery rather than slowing it down.

2. Acunetix: Best CI/CD-integrated AppSec option for smaller teams

Acunetix is a strong fit for small to mid-sized teams that want CI/CD-integrated security without the complexity of a full enterprise platform.

It offers cloud-based deployment, straightforward CI/CD integrations, and proof-based vulnerability detection that helps keep false positives manageable. For teams with simpler pipelines and fewer governance requirements, Acunetix can be quick to set up and easy to operate.

Compared to Invicti, Acunetix is less suited to large-scale, multi-team environments that require advanced governance, reporting, and cross-pipeline visibility. Its positioning is strongest where ease of use and reliable automation are more important than enterprise breadth.

3. Checkmarx One: Broad AppSec platform with CI/CD integrations

Checkmarx One is commonly evaluated by organizations looking for a broad application security platform that can integrate into CI/CD workflows.

The platform provides documented integrations and automation options for common CI/CD systems, allowing security scans to be triggered as part of builds and pull requests. Its strength lies in offering a centralized platform that supports multiple testing approaches under a single umbrella.

In CI/CD-heavy environments, teams should evaluate how scan speed, result noise, and remediation workflows fit their delivery cadence, particularly when compared to DAST-first platforms optimized for continuous validation.

4. Veracode: Governance-focused AppSec with pipeline integration

Veracode is often chosen by organizations with strong compliance and reporting requirements that still want to integrate security into CI/CD pipelines.

The platform supports CI/CD integrations and policy-driven workflows that allow teams to enforce security standards during builds. Its governance and reporting capabilities are a key draw for regulated environments.

For fast-moving pipelines, teams need to assess how well Veracode’s scanning approaches align with frequent releases and how much tuning is required to avoid pipeline friction.

5. Rapid7 Application Security (InsightAppSec): CI/CD-friendly DAST option

Rapid7’s InsightAppSec is a DAST-focused offering with documented CI/CD automation, including support for build gating and integration into common pipeline tools.

It is often evaluated by teams that want to automate dynamic testing as part of their pipelines and surface findings back to developers through existing workflows. As with other DAST tools, the practical impact on pipeline speed and result accuracy is a key consideration when comparing it to platforms like Invicti.

6. OpenText Fortify: Enterprise AppSec suite with CI/CD support

OpenText Fortify represents a more traditional enterprise AppSec suite with CI/CD integration options.

The platform provides integrations for common development and pipeline tools and is typically deployed in larger organizations with established security programs. Its breadth and enterprise orientation can be an advantage in complex environments, though teams should carefully evaluate operational overhead and how easily Fortify fits into highly automated CI/CD pipelines.

How should organizations choose an AppSec platform for CI/CD pipelines?

Selecting the right platform starts with an honest assessment of pipeline complexity and delivery velocity. Tools that work well for small teams may struggle at enterprise scale, while highly configurable platforms can be excessive for simpler environments.

Organizations should validate accuracy using real builds, prioritize automation and developer feedback, and be cautious of tools that introduce friction through slow scans or excessive noise. CI/CD-integrated security only delivers value when it supports, rather than hinders, continuous delivery.

Why Invicti stands out for CI/CD-integrated application security

Invicti stands out because it was built around DevSecOps workflows rather than retrofitted for them, with DAST integration into CI/CD being a fundamental design feature. Its proof-based scanning model eliminates much of the noise that can otherwise make CI/CD security impractical, while its automation and API support allow security testing to scale across cloud-native pipelines.

By supporting web applications and APIs out of the box and providing strong governance features, Invicti enables organizations to run continuous, validated, DAST-first security testing that aligns with both development speed and compliance needs.

Conclusion: Making CI/CD-integrated security the foundation of software delivery

CI/CD-integrated application security is no longer optional for organizations building and deploying software at speed. The right platform makes it possible to automate security testing, deliver actionable feedback to developers, and maintain governance without slowing delivery.

To see why Invicti is the leading application security platform for CI/CD-driven teams building and deploying at scale, request a demo to see it working in your environment.

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