An application security program assessment is a structured review of how an organization builds, tests, and governs software security. It scores program capabilities against a defined framework and produces a gap analysis, recommendations, and a roadmap. Unlike a penetration test, it evaluates the program, not a single target.
Services / MAPS Assessment
Merito's Application Program for Security (MAPS)
A comprehensive approach to strengthening your Application Security Program
Merito's Application Program for Security (MAPS) offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing your organization's Application Security Program (ASP) amidst ever-evolving cyber threats. Our MAPS service helps you build stronger, smarter and more secure ASPs with comprehensive 360° assessments, data-driven insights and actionable recommendations. The program is aimed at aligning your ASP with global security standards while fostering a culture of proactive defense.
- Framework domains: 6 focus areas
- Structured approach: 5 phases
- Primary deliverables: 4 outputs
Why Choose Merito
Why Choose Merito
Merito is a Value-Added Partner for industry-leading tools and frameworks in AI, AppSec, Quality, DevSecOps & Analytics across the software development lifecycle. With MAPS, our experts combine global best practices in security, compliance, and threat mitigation specific to your business and domain. We commit to innovating and delivering impactful solutions that solve real-world problems and create lasting value.
Assessment Overview
A structured assessment for teams that need more than a point-in-time review
The MAPS engagement is designed to evaluate your current security posture, reduce uncertainty across your Application Security Program, and define clear next steps for improvement.
Core objectives:
Evaluate the current state of your Application Security Program (ASP).
Develop tailored recommendations to strengthen each area of the program.
Provide a practical roadmap to help teams move from assessment to implementation.
MAPS pairs naturally with the broader Application Security solution, which covers how the recommendations from the assessment become a running program across your delivery pipelines.
MAPS Framework
Six assessment domains shape the program review
Each domain is assessed independently so recommendations can be prioritized with the right level of depth across training, engineering practice, testing, response, and governance.
Framework domain
Security Training
Build a shared security baseline and reinforce the role-specific behaviors needed to keep the program effective.
- Basic security awareness training
- Role-specific security training
- Secure coding practices training
- Security tools training
- Incident response training
- Security policy training
Framework domain
Threat Modeling
Improve visibility into application assets, data flows, and the threats that matter most to your environment.
- Identify and document assets
- Create and update data flow diagrams
- Identify and prioritize threats
- Document security requirements
- Review and update threat models
- Integrate threat modeling into the SDLC
Framework domain
Secure Development
Embed security controls into engineering workflows so security becomes part of how software is built, reviewed, and maintained.
- Use of secure coding standards
- Security review of code
- Use of static code analysis tools
- Use of dynamic analysis tools
- Regular codebase audits
- Integration of security in development
Framework domain
Security Testing
Expand testing depth with techniques that help teams uncover exploitable weaknesses before they reach production.
- Regular penetration testing
- Automated security scanning
- Fuzz testing
- Security regression testing
- Security performance testing
- Third-party component testing
Framework domain
Incident Response
Strengthen your response capabilities with defined plans, drills, reporting paths, and continuous review loops.
- Incident response plan creation
- Regular incident response drills
- Incident reporting mechanism
- Post-incident review and analysis
- Update incident response plan
- Incident response team training
Framework domain
Risk Management
Clarify how risks are identified, prioritized, mitigated, and communicated so decisions remain tied to business impact.
- Risk identification
- Risk assessment
- Risk prioritization
- Risk mitigation strategy development
- Regular risk reviews
- Risk communication and reporting
Start your assessment
Ready to implement the MAPS framework for your organization?
Merito provides MAPS services across North America, United Kingdom and India for organizations of all sizes. Our mission is to deliver secure, efficient, and impactful solutions that accelerate growth and drive customer success.
MAPS Deliverables
Deliverables your team can act on immediately
Assessment Report
A detailed view of your current application security posture, including the maturity of existing practices across the program.
Recommendations Report
Tailored recommendations that focus on reducing risk, improving program coverage, and strengthening day-to-day security execution.
Implementation Roadmap
A step-by-step plan for addressing incomplete practices and sequencing the next actions needed for measurable improvement.
Progress Metrics
Suggested measures and checkpoints to help your team track progress and report on security improvements over time.
Technical Approach
Evidence-based assessment inputs
- Tools Review: the assessment can incorporate static and dynamic analysis tooling, penetration testing tooling, and security scanning tooling.
- Assessment Techniques: Merito combines stakeholder interviews, code reviews, threat modeling exercises, and risk assessments to build a complete view of program maturity.
- Assessment accuracy depends on the completeness and accuracy of the information provided by stakeholders.
- Estimated timelines and effort can shift based on scope, project specifics, and unforeseen challenges.
Readiness
What the engagement needs from both sides
Industries
- Access to key stakeholders for interviews
- Availability of current ASP documentation
- Commitment to participate in follow-up projects if needed
Prerequisites
A smooth assessment depends on the right access, the right documents, and the right stakeholders being available early.
Client Responsibilities
The strongest outcomes come from active participation and timely access to the teams, systems, and artifacts behind the program. Facilitate the scheduling of interviews and meetings. Provide documentation and access to relevant systems. Actively participate in the assessment and implementation process.
Supported vendor coverage
Tooling coverage across the Application Security ecosystem
MAPS is tool-agnostic. The assessment reviews whichever tools your teams rely on today, including static analysis, software composition analysis, dynamic testing, penetration testing, and security scanning platforms.
When MAPS recommendations include tooling changes or additions, Merito partners with the leading AppSec vendors so the roadmap can hand off into implementation, enablement, or ongoing support through adjacent Merito services.
Application security and code-quality ecosystems
Static analysis, software composition analysis, application security testing, secure-code enablement, and supply-chain governance tooling most commonly reviewed during MAPS engagements.
Related services
Related services and solutions
MAPS is most valuable when the recommendations route directly into the services that turn the roadmap into a running program. These adjacent Merito services pick up where the assessment lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact form
Ready to implement the MAPS framework for your organization?
Merito provides MAPS services across North America, United Kingdom and India for organizations of all sizes. Our mission is to deliver secure, efficient, and impactful solutions that accelerate growth and drive customer success.
Scope
Share the current Application Security Program scope, tooling in use, target timeline, and any regulatory or compliance drivers for the assessment.
Response path
Merito routes this request through the consultation workflow and will follow up with a MAPS specialist for your program and delivery context.