The RASP Procurement Cycle

The RASP procurement cycle starts when a system’s security is not a theory but a pressing need. You have an application to protect, production deadlines looming, and an exploit window that does not forgive delay. Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) must be acquired, integrated, and deployed without slowing development velocity. This is where precision in procurement matters.

A complete RASP procurement cycle moves in distinct stages. First: requirement definition. You identify the threats your stack faces—SQL injection, cross-site scripting, zero-day payloads—and map them against operational constraints. Align RASP features with your architecture. Consider real-time attack detection, in-process blocking, language support, and compatibility with existing CI/CD pipelines.

Second: vendor selection. Review RASP products for demonstrable performance under load. The cycle demands benchmarks from real traffic and synthetic attack simulations. Do not rely on marketing claims. Demand proofs: latency impact measurements, false positive rates, and integration reports with your actual framework.

Third: evaluation and testing. Deploy shortlisted RASP options in a staging environment. Simulate attacks in controlled conditions. Log every detection event. Compare responses to baseline expectations. This phase in the procurement cycle validates claims before production commitments.

Fourth: negotiation and purchase. Harden contracts with clear SLAs on patch delivery, compatibility updates, and escalation timelines. The cycle here is not just about cost—it is about securing enforceable guarantees.

Fifth: integration and deployment. A RASP procurement cycle ends only after the solution is live, actively defending without degrading performance. Automation in rollout minimizes human error. Close the loop with post-deployment audits to confirm coverage.

Each stage in the RASP procurement cycle must be executed with accuracy. Weakness at any point invites risk back into the system. The cycle is a tool—use it with discipline.

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