Best Practices

How Often Should You Run a Security Scan?

The right scanning frequency depends on your app, development speed, and risk tolerance. Here's how to build a scanning schedule that works.

See where your security stands today.

The Short Answer

At minimum: Before every production deployment and monthly as a baseline. For vibe-coded apps, scan after each significant coding session with AI tools. The more frequently your code changes, the more frequently you should scan.

Before DeployAfter Major ChangesMonthly Baseline

When to Trigger a Security Scan

Before Production Deploymentcritical

Every deployment to production should be preceded by a security scan

Why: Catches vulnerabilities before they reach users

After Major Code Changescritical

New features, refactors, or significant updates warrant a scan

Why: AI-generated code often introduces new vulnerabilities

After Adding Dependencieshigh

New packages or library updates can introduce vulnerabilities

Why: Third-party code is a common attack vector

Monthly Baseline Scanhigh

Regular scheduled scans catch issues that slip through

Why: New vulnerabilities are discovered regularly in existing code

After Security Incidentscritical

Any security event should trigger a comprehensive rescan

Why: Validates fixes and ensures no other issues exist

Before Major Launches/Fundinghigh

Critical business milestones deserve extra scrutiny

Why: High visibility increases attack likelihood

Recommended Schedule by App Type

Vibe-Coded MVP/Side Project
AI-generated code introduces vulnerabilities with each session. Frequent scans catch issues early when they're easy to fix.
Before every deploy + weekly
Production SaaS Application
Continuous scanning ensures no vulnerabilities reach production. Weekly scans catch issues from dependency updates.
CI/CD integration + weekly + before releases
E-commerce/Payment Apps
Financial data requires highest security. PCI compliance may mandate specific scanning frequency.
Daily automated + before any payment-related changes
Healthcare/Regulated Apps
HIPAA and other regulations require regular security assessments. Documentation is as important as scanning.
Continuous + documented quarterly audits
Internal Tools
Lower external risk but still handles sensitive data. Balance security with development velocity.
Before deploy + monthly

Automate Scanning in CI/CD

How to Set Up

  • 1Add security scan step to your CI/CD pipeline
  • 2Configure to run on pull requests and before merges to main
  • 3Set up alerts for critical/high severity findings
  • 4Block deployments if critical issues are found
  • 5Generate reports for compliance documentation

Benefits

  • Catches issues before code review
  • Provides consistent security coverage
  • Creates audit trail automatically
  • Prevents insecure code from reaching production

Special Note for Vibe Coders

AI-generated code introduces vulnerabilities more frequently than traditional development. Each prompt-to-code session can add new security issues that weren't there before.

Recommended for vibe-coded apps:
  • Scan after each significant AI coding session
  • Always scan before sharing or deploying
  • Scan again after AI makes changes to existing code

Start Your Scanning Routine Today

The best time to start regular security scanning was when you started building. The second best time is now. Get your first scan free.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I run a security scan?

At minimum: before every production deployment and monthly as a baseline. For vibe-coded apps, scan after each significant AI-assisted coding session. For regulated industries, daily or continuous scanning may be required. The key is consistency—regular scans are more valuable than occasional deep scans.

Is scanning once before launch enough?

No. A single scan only captures vulnerabilities at one point in time. New vulnerabilities are discovered daily, dependencies get updated, and code changes introduce new issues. Security is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Plan for regular recurring scans.

Can I scan too frequently?

Technically no, but there are diminishing returns. Scanning unchanged code daily provides little value. Focus scans on: after code changes, after dependency updates, and on a regular schedule (weekly/monthly). Automated CI/CD integration makes frequent scanning practical.

Should I scan production or staging?

Both, but for different purposes. Scan staging/preview environments before deployment to catch issues early. Scan production to verify deployed code and catch any environment-specific issues. Production scanning should be less aggressive to avoid impacting users.

How do I balance scanning with development speed?

Automate scans in CI/CD so they run without manual intervention. Use fast scans for pull requests and more thorough scans for releases. Only block deployments for critical issues. This provides security coverage without significantly slowing development.

What's the minimum scanning frequency for compliance?

It varies by standard: PCI-DSS requires quarterly scans by approved vendors, HIPAA requires regular risk assessments, SOC 2 requires continuous monitoring. Check your specific compliance requirements, but internal scanning should exceed these minimums.

Last updated: January 16, 2026