Security managers may work for midsize or large organizations; they may operate from anywhere on the globe. But inevitably, they share a common goal: to better manage the risks associated with their business infrastructure. Increasingly, Web application security plays a significant role in achieving that goal.

More and more, organizations rely on Web applications as a primary means of doing business. Applications may incorporate the use of forms to interact with personal information (such as credit card, bank account and medical history information), as well as classified/confidential organizational information, e-mail and user satisfaction feedback.

Unfortunately, the increased use of Web applications makes them very attractive to hackers. As the number and complexity of Web applications grows, so do the number of vulnerabilities introduced into your Web environment. As Gartner points out, "Highly damaging attacks continue to focus on application vulnerabilities." In fact, the number of vulnerabilities affecting Web applications is one of the fastest growing security problems.