Avoiding Catastrophes in Cyberspace through Smarter Testing: How to prevent Heartbleed-like disasters using readily available testing technologies

Published

October 16, 2014

Author(s)

Apostol T. Vassilev, Christopher Celi

Abstract

The recently discovered Heartbleed bug in OpenSSL’s implementation of Internet security protocols and the aftermath from dealing with its consequences highlights a critical problem in the software industry. Software is routinely, inadequately tested leading to devastating security holes with far reaching consequences for ordinary people and service providers on the Internet. We show that readily available testing technologies can be employed to improve the scope and depth of software testing. This, combined with government and industry emerging standards and recommendations, could change the incentives for technology companies to respond to the increasing societal demands for security on the Internet.

Citation

Computer (IEEE Computer)

Volume

47

Issue

10

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1109/MC.2014.273

Keywords

software testing

Citation

Vassilev, A. and Celi, C. (2014), Avoiding Catastrophes in Cyberspace through Smarter Testing: How to prevent Heartbleed-like disasters using readily available testing technologies, Computer (IEEE Computer), [online], https://doi.org/10.1109/MC.2014.273 (Accessed October 15, 2025)