In the realm of cyber security, two commonly used techniques to identify and address vulnerabilities are vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.
While both methods are essential for maintaining a secure digital environment, it’s crucial to understand the differences and when it’s appropriate to use each. In this communication, we’ll explore vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.
VULNERABILITY SCANNING
Vulnerability scanning is a proactive approach to identifying potential weaknesses in a system or network. It involves using automated tools to scan and analyse the environment for known vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. The vulnerability scanner compares the system or service against a database of known vulnerabilities and provides a report listing the potential risks.
The benefits of vulnerability scanning are that it is quick, cost-effective, and non-intrusive. It allows organisations to gain insight into the overall security posture of their systems, identify common vulnerabilities, and prioritise remediation efforts. Vulnerability scanning is particularly useful in maintaining compliance with regulations and standards that require regular vulnerability assessments.
However, it’s important to note that vulnerability scanning only identifies known vulnerabilities, lacks the ability to exploit them and can be prone to false positives. It does not provide a clear understanding of the potential impact or likelihood of exploitation by real-world attackers. That’s where penetration testing comes into play.
PENETRATION TESTING
Penetration testing, also known as pen testing or ethical hacking, is a simulated attack on a system or network to identify vulnerabilities and assess the security controls in place. Unlike vulnerability scanning, pen testing involves manual testing that goes beyond identifying weaknesses by attempting to exploit them, mimicking real-world attack scenarios.
During a penetration test, highly skilled security professionals simulate the actions of hackers. They manipulate vulnerabilities to determine the extent of potential damage and gain access to unauthorised areas of the system. The goal of a pen test is to evaluate the effectiveness of security controls, identify weaknesses often missed by automated scanning tools, and provide a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations to address the identified weaknesses.
While penetration testing yields more accurate and detailed results than vulnerability scanning, it is typically more time-consuming, resource-intensive, and expensive. It requires skilled professionals with deep knowledge of vari- ous attack techniques and the ability to think like an attacker.
HOW VULNERABILITY SCANNING & PENETRATION TESTING SHOULD BE USED
As a general rule of thumb:
- Vulnerability scanning is ideal for regular, automated assessments to keep track of known vulnerabilities and ensure compliance. It is cost-effective and efficient for identifying common weaknesses.
- Penetration testing is recommended for organisations seeking a comprehensive evaluation of their security posture, identifying unknown vulnerabilities and weaknesses, and simulating real-world attack scenarios.
In most cases, a combination of both vulnerability scanning and penetration testing is recommended, creating a robust cyber security testing strategy. Vulnerability scanning can be regularly performed to detect known vulnerabilities, while periodic pen tests provide a more in-depth assessment to discover hidden vulnerabilities and validate the effectiveness of security measures.