Automating Penetration Testing: Efficiency and Accuracy
Penetration testing is a unique testing process wherein a simulated cyber attack is carried out by a tester in order to exploit vulnerabilities that may be utilized by the cyber attacker for gaining access or carrying out a data breach. To further elevate the process of penetration testing and make it streamlined and efficient, the platform of automation is leveraged.
There are automated penetration testing tools and frameworks that can provide a full-fledged pen testing assessment. In this article, you will get to know the strategic importance of automated penetration testing.
What is penetration testing?
It is a specific process of finding vulnerabilities within a security network or system and exploiting them so that the level of threat can be understood and the damage caused by an attack can also be ascertained.
Organization’s assets like subdomains, websites etc, are checked by the penetration testing method for security vulnerabilities. Not only vulnerabilities, but, the various ways to exploit them are identified by the penetration testing (also known as “pen testing”) method.
What is automated penetration testing?
Security risks in a system are assessed through automated security tools by the tactical use of an automated penetration testing platform. Security audits and penetration tests can be performed using automated methods and are considered to be much faster when compared to manual penetration testing. Results can be rendered by an automated pen test platform within just a few seconds or minutes.
The testing process is streamlined by quickly scanning for known software vulnerabilities such as unintended internet exposures, common password vulnerabilities or missing security patches.
A wide array of vulnerabilities can be detected by automated pen testing tools, thereby providing continuous protection against cyber threats.
Automated pen testing has a crucial role to play in cybersecurity validation. It is a structured approach through which corporations can constantly refine their security optimization strategies through process enhancement, response validation and controlled simulation.
Benefits of automated penetration testing:
1. The value of continuous security testing: As scans can run round the clock, constant monitoring of an organization’s systems can be provided by automated pen testing. Known vulnerabilities can be identified and thus security teams can be alerted in real-time. Through this activity, the organizations can be ahead of potential threats and can be quickly responded to.
2. The cost factor: Some organizations might be having budget constraints and thus cannot go for recruiting a full-time penetration tester or hire the services of a cybersecurity firm. In these scenarios, the cost-effective option for the team would be to learn an automated testing tool from a project implementation perspective. Through this option, regular security assessments can be conducted by businesses.
3. Improved scalability: As there is growth witnessed in organizations, systems and networks will also grow and thus it becomes quite challenging for professionals to keep up with the pace. Scalable solutions are offered by automated pen testing platforms that can be deployed across an organization’s growing infrastructure. This, in turn, makes sure that continuous security testing can be performed for known vulnerability patterns.
4. Increased efficiency: Security vulnerabilities can be quickly identified across a wide range of systems through the tactical use of automated security testing tools. Applications and networks can be rapidly scanned by these tools, thereby saving time and resources. The only criterion is the team should invest time in learning and understanding these tools from the inside out.
5. Immediate feedback can be expected: Immediate insights into potential vulnerabilities are provided through which the decisions can be made faster by the teams.
6. Periodic evaluations can be carried out optimally: It is ideally suited for routine, regular checks, thereby making sure that consistent security oversight is provided.
Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing automated penetration testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a leading software testing services in uk that will provide you with methodical testing solutions that are in line with your project specific requirements.
