What is the primary objective of Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)?

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) focuses on conducting live testing of applications while they are running in a production environment. This type of testing simulates real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities that may be exploited by an attacker when the application is operational. The primary objective is to assess the application's behavior and security posture in real time, as well as to uncover issues related to runtime interactions, input validation, and session management, which might not be visible through static analysis methods.

This approach allows security teams to discover vulnerabilities that might only appear during specific interactions or states of the application, hence providing a more accurate reflection of the potential security risks present in a live environment. DAST is crucial for ensuring that applications maintain security throughout their lifecycle, especially when they are frequently being updated or modified.

Other options like examining source code pertain to Static Application Security Testing (SAST), which happens before deployment, so they do not align with the live testing emphasis of DAST. Reviewing compliance documentation and performing network security scans tackle different security domains and are not specific to the function and goal of DAST.