The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the security of software. This section will cover the history of OWASP, its mission, and its impact on web application security.

• 2001: OWASP was founded by Mark Curphey. The initial goal was to create a community-driven platform for sharing knowledge and tools related to web application security.
• 2002: The first OWASP project, the OWASP Guide, was released. This guide provided comprehensive information on securing web applications.

• 2003: The OWASP Top Ten project was launched, identifying the most critical web application security risks. This project quickly became one of OWASP's most recognized contributions.
• 2004-2006: OWASP expanded its reach globally, establishing local chapters and organizing conferences to promote web application security awareness.
• 2007: The OWASP Foundation was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization, solidifying its commitment to improving software security.

• 2010s: OWASP continued to release influential projects such as the OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS) and the OWASP Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP).
• 2020s: OWASP remains a leading authority in web application security, continuously updating its projects and guidelines to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

• Awareness: Raise awareness about the importance of web application security among developers, organizations, and the general public.
• Education: Provide educational resources, training, and tools to help individuals and organizations improve their security practices.
• Collaboration: Foster a collaborative community where security professionals, developers, and researchers can share knowledge and work together to solve security challenges.
• Innovation: Encourage the development of new security tools, techniques, and methodologies to address evolving threats.

• OWASP Top Ten: A regularly updated list of the most critical web application security risks, providing a baseline for security practices.
• OWASP ASVS: A framework for specifying and verifying the security controls in web applications.
• OWASP SAMM: A model for assessing and improving the maturity of software security practices within an organization.
• OWASP ZAP: An open-source tool for finding vulnerabilities in web applications.

• Standards and Compliance: Many industry standards and regulations, such as PCI DSS, reference OWASP guidelines and projects.
• Best Practices: OWASP's resources are widely adopted by organizations to establish and improve their security practices.

• Global Reach: OWASP has a global presence with local chapters in numerous countries, facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• Conferences and Events: OWASP organizes conferences, workshops, and meetups to bring together security professionals and enthusiasts.

OWASP has played a pivotal role in advancing web application security since its inception. By understanding its history and mission, professionals can appreciate the importance of OWASP's contributions and leverage its resources to enhance their security practices.

• History: Founded in 2001, OWASP has grown into a global leader in web application security.
• Mission: Raise awareness, provide education, foster collaboration, and encourage innovation in web application security.
• Impact: Influences industry standards, promotes best practices, and supports a global community of security professionals.

This foundational understanding of OWASP sets the stage for exploring its key projects and guidelines in the subsequent modules.