Mend Tool - Tips & Tricks to Maximize Security Testing Efficiency

​In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, it’s crucial to use tools that can streamline your workflow and provide accurate vulnerability assessments. One such tool that has gained popularity in the security testing community is Mend. Known for its vulnerability management capabilities, Mend is designed to help testers detect, manage, and resolve security issues in a variety of environments.

In this blog, we will go over a few tips and tricks to get the most out of Mend, whether you are a beginner or an experienced user looking to optimize your testing process.
What is Mend?
Mend is a security testing tool that focuses on detecting vulnerabilities in software and infrastructure. It can be used for various purposes, such as scanning open-source libraries for known vulnerabilities, managing security issues in continuous integration (CI) pipelines, and integrating seamlessly with tools like JIRA for easy issue tracking.
Mend’s ability to automate vulnerability management makes it indispensable in today’s fast-paced DevSecOps environments.
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Comparison Table

Why Choose Mend?
Mend is a perfect choice if you’re looking for:

1. Ease of Use: Simplifies security for developers without compromising on depth.
2. Automation: Saves time by automating scans, defect creation, and policy enforcement.
3. Accuracy: Reduces false positives, resulting in less time spent sifting through noise.
4. Comprehensive Coverage: Handles OSS vulnerabilities and license compliance in one platform.
5. DevOps-Friendly: Integrates seamlessly into modern DevOps workflows

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​Top Tips & Tricks to Optimize Your Use of Mend Tool
1. Add Mend to Your CI/CD Pipeline – Because Time is Money
One of the most powerful features of Mend is its ability to integrate with your CI/CD pipelines. By integrating Mend into your build and deployment process, you can ensure that vulnerabilities are detected early in the development cycle, preventing them from making it to production.
How to do it:

• Integrate Mend with your Jenkins, GitLab.
• Add steps to your CI/CD pipeline to trigger Mend scans whenever new code is committed or pushed.
• Configure Mend to automatically fail the build if critical vulnerabilities are detected.

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​2. Leverage Mend for SBOM (Software Bill of Materials)

• Generate SBOM Reports: Mend can automatically create SBOM reports, providing a detailed inventory of all open-source components, versions, and licenses used in your software.
• Comply with Regulations: Use SBOMs to meet regulatory requirements like Executive Order 14028 (U.S. Cybersecurity Requirements).

Tip: Share SBOMs with stakeholders to demonstrate transparency and ensure supply chain security.
3. Due Diligence Reports for Security and Compliance

• Automated Reports: Mend generates comprehensive Due Diligence Reports that identify vulnerabilities, outdated dependencies, and license risks.
• Audit Readiness: Use these reports during audits, mergers, or acquisitions to provide clear visibility into open-source components and associated risks.
• Actionable Insights: Prioritize mitigation efforts based on the findings in due diligence reports.

Tip: Regularly review due diligence reports to maintain a clean open-source inventory.
4. Use Mend’s Dependency Scanning for Open-Source Libraries
Many modern applications rely on open-source libraries, and these libraries can often contain hidden security risks. Mend excels at scanning open-source dependencies, identifying known vulnerabilities, and offering remediation suggestions.
How to do it:

• Integrate Mend with your dependency management tools (e.g., Maven, npm, Gradle).
• Regularly scan for known vulnerabilities in open-source components.
• Mend provides detailed reports with vulnerability descriptions, CVE identifiers, and suggested patches or updates.

5. Let Mend Do the Paperwork – Automatic JIRA Tickets
One of the most effective ways to streamline your security testing process is to automate defect creation. Mend can be configured to create JIRA tickets automatically for any detected vulnerabilities, ensuring your team can quickly address the issues.
How to do it:

• Connect Mend with JIRA using the integration settings.
• Configure Mend to automatically create defects for vulnerabilities based on severity or type.
• Use custom field mappings in JIRA to track the status of vulnerabilities through the testing lifecycle.

6. Leverage Mend’s Real-Time Reporting Features
Real-time reporting is crucial for teams that need to stay updated on the latest vulnerabilities. Mend provides detailed vulnerability reports that can be shared with team members and stakeholders to keep everyone informed about security risks.
How to do it:

• Use the Mend dashboard to monitor the real-time status of your scans.
• Set up automated email notifications for your team when a high-severity vulnerability is detected.
• Generate comprehensive security reports that can be shared with non-technical stakeholders for compliance purposes.

7. Scan Like a Pro – No Junk Alerts, Please

• Real-Time Alerts: Set up alerts for critical vulnerabilities and license violations.
• Integrate with Slack/Teams: Receive instant updates on new vulnerabilities or compliance issues.

Tip: Filter notifications to focus only on high-priority vulnerabilities to avoid alert fatigue.
 
 8. Optimize Mend Scans

• Target Active Branches: Configure Mend to focus scans on main or active development branches.
• Exclude Unnecessary Files: Use .mendignore or tool configurations to skip directories like node_modules or test folders.

Example: Prioritize scans for production-ready code while excluding temporary or redundant files.
9. Best Practices
Adopting best practices can make a significant difference in your productivity:

• Regular Updates: Keep your tool updated to benefit from the latest features and fixes.
• Backup Your Work: Regularly back up your projects to avoid data loss.

10. Community and Resources
Join the community of Mend users to share tips, ask questions, and stay updated:

• Forums and Groups: Participate in online forums and social media groups.
• Tutorials and Webinars: Take advantage of tutorials and webinars offered by experts.

 


Conclusion
Mend is a powerful ally in your security testing process. By following the above tips and tricks, you can enhance your use of the tool, reduce vulnerabilities, and automate the entire vulnerability management process. Whether you are dealing with open-source libraries or integrating security tests into your CI/CD pipeline, Mend offers a wide range of features that make vulnerability management easier and more effective.
Remember, security is an ongoing process, and tools like Mend will help you stay ahead of potential threats. By continuously improving how you use Mend, you will ensure a more secure application development lifecycle.
By following these tips and tricks, you'll be well on your way to mastering it. Happy mending!

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Navyasri Kamisetty  is a Consultant at HCL, specializing in Security Testing for the Workload Automation product at the Bangalore team. Since 2022, she has been ensuring software security and efficiency with a sharp eye for detail. Navya holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from JNTU University, Kakinada