Contrast Security
Runtime application self-protection (RASP) software
Dynamic application security testing (DAST) software
Interactive application security testing (IAST) software
Software composition analysis tools
Static application security testing (SAST) software
Vulnerability scanner software
Application security software
DevSecOps software
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What is Contrast Security
Contrast Security is an application security platform that instruments applications to detect vulnerabilities and attacks from within the running app and to support security testing during development. It is used by application security teams and DevSecOps teams to find and prioritize issues across code, open-source dependencies, and runtime behavior. The product is commonly deployed via language agents and integrates with CI/CD and issue-tracking workflows. It combines interactive testing and runtime protection capabilities with vulnerability management features to support remediation.
Instrumentation-based vulnerability discovery
The platform uses in-application instrumentation (agents) to observe execution paths and data flows, which supports IAST-style findings tied to real runtime behavior. This can reduce reliance on external scanning alone for certain classes of issues and can provide more contextual evidence for developers. Findings typically include request/trace context that helps reproduce issues. This approach can be useful for applications where traditional perimeter-only testing has limited visibility.
Runtime attack visibility and controls
Contrast includes runtime capabilities that can detect and respond to certain exploit attempts while the application is running. This supports use cases where teams want security telemetry aligned to application transactions rather than only infrastructure events. It can help correlate vulnerabilities with observed attack activity to prioritize remediation. Runtime deployment also enables coverage in environments where scanning windows are limited.
DevSecOps workflow integrations
Contrast is designed to integrate into CI/CD pipelines and common developer tools so findings can be routed to engineering backlogs. It supports policy and gating use cases where teams want to fail builds or enforce thresholds based on vulnerability severity. Centralized reporting helps application security teams track remediation progress across multiple services. These capabilities align with organizations standardizing security checks across distributed development teams.
Agent deployment and tuning effort
Because the product relies on language agents/instrumentation, teams must deploy and manage agents across application runtimes and environments. This can introduce operational overhead for versioning, rollout coordination, and troubleshooting. Some organizations require performance testing and tuning to ensure acceptable overhead in production. Coverage depends on supported languages and frameworks and on where the agent can be deployed.
Not a full replacement for scanners
Instrumentation-driven testing and runtime detection do not eliminate the need for other testing approaches in all cases. Certain vulnerability classes and coverage goals may still require dedicated SAST/DAST techniques, specialized API testing, or separate dependency governance processes. Teams often need to validate how results map to their existing risk models and compliance requirements. This can lead to a multi-tool program rather than consolidation into a single product.
Data volume and triage complexity
Continuous findings from development and runtime environments can generate substantial alert and vulnerability data. Organizations may need to invest in tuning policies, suppression rules, and ownership mapping to keep queues actionable. Without clear service ownership and SLAs, remediation tracking can become difficult at scale. Reporting and prioritization effectiveness depends on how well the product is integrated with engineering workflows.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contrast ADR (Application Detection and Response) | Priced by concurrent host — contact for quote | Protect applications and APIs from exploits and zero days; detailed alerts on attacks; stop malicious activity in real-time; continuously monitor production. (Official site: pricing labeled “Priced by concurrent host”). |
| Contrast AST (Application Security Testing) — includes Contrast Assess (IAST), Contrast SCA, Contrast Scan (SAST) | Priced by application — contact for quote | Monitor code as it runs and identify vulnerabilities instantly; actionable developer feedback across CI/CD; reduces developer idle time and operational overhead. (Official site: pricing labeled “Priced by application”). |
| Contrast One (Managed application & API security) | Pricing varies by package — contact for quote | Managed service that bundles ADR and/or AST, with dedicated AppSec experts, tailored remediation guidance, and managed services. (Official site: “Pricing varies by package”). |
| Try Contrast (sandbox & product tour) | Free (guided sandbox and product tour) | Interactive sandbox (guided ~15-minute hands-on) and product tour available at no cost and no commitment; not a production/free tier — intended for evaluation only. (Official site: “Try Contrast” FAQ). |
Seller details
Contrast Security, Inc.
Los Altos, CA, USA
2014
Private
https://www.contrastsecurity.com/
https://x.com/contrastsec
https://www.linkedin.com/company/contrast-security/
