Types Of Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing

Types Of Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing

In an earlier article, we talked about the importance of Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing in protecting your organisation from cyberattacks.

This article takes a deep dive into the subject.

Types of Vulnerability Assessments

Organizations have access to a broad range of vulnerability assessments they can perform on their systems. The following are among the most highly recommended options:

1. Network Vulnerability Assessment: Network Vulnerability Assessment Identifies vulnerabilities in the network security system. It also involves the assessment of both public and private networks and internal and external networks for keeping network-accessible resources such as web servers and their operating systems in check and preventing network security breaches.
2. Web Application Vulnerability Assessment: Web Application Vulnerability Assessment Identifies vulnerabilities through deep static and dynamic examination of the codes of the applications. It helps identify misconfigurations and, if performed in the development stage, can help address the vulnerabilities before the code is put to use.
3. Database Vulnerability Assessment: This assessment focuses on examining and finding out the vulnerabilities in database management systems such as Oracle, SQL, and Microsoft, among others. This can help prevent misconfigurations such as public leaks of confidential, sensitive information, and hackers attack. This is a most critical assessment.
4. Wireless Network Vulnerability Assessment: Focuses on inspecting the wireless network systems, including wireless security controls, authentication points, access management, and encryption mechanism. Identifies vulnerabilities in the wireless configurations.

TYPES OF PENETRATION TESTING

1. Network Penetration Testing: Identifies potential vulnerabilities in network systems such as firewalls and servers and can help protect businesses from misconfigurations and server attacks.
2. Web Application Penetration Testing: This involves a three-step process. One: Gathering information about web servers, web applications, services, and operating systems. Two: Identifying vulnerabilities in these applications by creating attack simulations. Three: Planning an attack on the system according to an attacker's mindset to understand the rate and scale of risk associated with the vulnerability.
3. Wireless Penetration Testing: Wireless networks are at massive risk of unauthorized use as they allow data to flow from the internal network system to the external network system and vice versa. Wireless Penetration Testing identifies risks and evaluates weaknesses associated with wireless systems to prevent cyber-attacks.
4. Physical Penetration Testing: This aims at keeping an organization's physical controls, such as cameras, security locks, and sensors in check to ensure that potential risks are identified, and remedial actions are taken to avoid incidences of tailgating, badge duplication, etc.
5. Social Engineering Penetration Testing: Aims at protecting system users from potential attacks like phishing and spoofing. This form of testing identifies vulnerable groups and processes to mitigate such risks and improve user alertness.

penetration testing methodologies

1. OSSTMM: Open-Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM) is one of the most popularly used penetration testing standards, presenting an adaptable guide for the pentesters (penetration testers) based on a scientific approach, helping them in conducting an accurate assessment.
2. OWASP: The Open Worldwide Application Security Project is an online community that generates a wide range of resources, such as freely-available articles, methodologies, documentation, tools, and technologies in web application security. These resources are made accessible to all interested parties.
3. NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a US Department of Commerce agency. Its cybersecurity framework helps businesses understand and mitigate their cybersecurity risks.
4. PTES: Penetration Testing Execution Standards is an exhaustive guide developed by a team of information security professionals. Its goal is to create a deeply rooted modern standard for pentesters and create awareness among businesses about what to expect from such tests.

As experts in IT security and data protection, TÜV SÜD can carry out Vulnerability Scans and Penetration Testing to the very highest standards. Our teams of cyber security penetration test stay up to date with all the latest cybersecurity breaches and hacking techniques and can therefore help you keep your systems future-proof.

For more information, please visit our webpages on Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing.

Conclusion

Digitization and technological advancements have created vast opportunities in the network and data world, demonstrating the immense possibilities available. However, these developments have also created opportunities for their misuse. This is where Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing (VAPT) play a crucial role in protecting users of digital systems. In the current scenario, VAPT and its testing mechanisms must become an essential aspect of every organization's network and security systems as a fundamental step towards cybersecurity and enhanced protection of digital systems.