What is a key drawback to relying solely on automated tools for code analysis?

Relying solely on automated tools for code analysis can lead to significant issues, primarily because these tools often struggle with understanding context or the nuances of complex business logic within the code. Automated tools are effective at identifying straightforward vulnerabilities, such as syntax errors or commonly known security issues. However, codebases often contain intricate business logic that requires a deep understanding of the application’s purpose, user interactions, and overall architecture. This complexity means that automated tools may fail to recognize issues that could arise from how different components of the application interact or how business processes are implemented.

In contrast, manual analysis by experienced developers or security professionals is required to interpret these nuanced aspects and identify potential vulnerabilities that are not easily detectable by automated systems. This insight into context and intent is crucial for comprehensive code security assessments, underscoring the importance of a blended approach that combines both automated and manual tools.