Maintaining dependencies in a set of rules for security scanning in could-based web applications and api protection

Abstract

Systems and methods include receiving a copy of a template file of security rules where the template file includes a plurality of rule tags and one or more dependency tags that define relationships and dependencies between any rules associated with the plurality of rule tags; scanning the template file including, for each respective rule tag of the plurality of rule tags checking if an enabled flag is set for the respective rule tag, when the enable flag is set, looking up a respective rule in a rule database and replacing the respective rule tag with the respective rule, and when the enable flag is not set, removing the respective rule tag from the template file; and providing an output file including a plurality of rules having the relationships and dependencies, where the output file is used for security scanning.