Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing are essential for strengthening an organization’s IT infrastructure against potential threats. While both processes aim to improve security measures, the approaches and techniques vary significantly. This blog provides insights into these differences so that you can tailor and effectively deploy these processes to safeguard your organization’s IT assets.
Comparing key attributes of vulnerability scanning and penetration testing
Vulnerability scanning sends probes and requests into the IT infrastructure and analyzes the responses to identify known vulnerabilities. Penetration testing mimics the same tactics and techniques malicious hackers use to simulate a real-world cyberattack to find and exploit vulnerabilities in the organization’s IT infrastructure.
Table 1 compares the attributes of vulnerability scanning with those of penetration testing. When analyzing this table, it becomes evident that these are two fundamentally distinct processes that require different tools and cybersecurity expertise.
| Attribute | Vulnerability | Penetration |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Uses a defensive approach to protect against and mitigate potential threats | Uses an offensive attack to find weaknesses and demonstrate how they can be exploited |
| External data sources | Uses a regularly updated database of known vulnerabilities | Leverages public security websites to learn about the latest attack techniques and vulnerabilities being exploited by hackers |
| Scope | May be conducted against all parts of the IT infrastructure, such as the network, servers, and the cloud | Defines the objectives and scope for the penetration test, such as testing the effectiveness of the wireless LAN security controls |
| Prioritization | Prioritizes scanning for vulnerabilities based on perceived risk | Prioritizes simulating attacks on higher-risk IT assets |
| Automation | Typically, scans are automated | Relies on human expertise and ingenuity to find vulnerabilities that are not detected by automated tool |
| Frequency | Conducted periodically and continuously | Conducted iteratively, where each iteration improves based on the lessons learned in the previous tests |
| Location | The scan location is based on where the perceived vulnerability exists, such as remote locations, data centers, or the cloud | The penetration test location is based on the objectives and scope, for example, an external attack from outside the organization’s perimeter or an internal attack from the employee LAN |
| Findings | The scanning tool generates reports showing the identified vulnerabilities and suggested remediating actions Vulnerabilities should be prioritized based on impact severity | The penetration test team generates reports describing their findings and recommendations to mitigate potential cyber threats. Vulnerabilities should be prioritized based on their exploitability |
| Regulatory Compliance | Helps organizations achieve regulatory compliance | Helps organizations achieve regulatory compliance |
Contrasting the expertise of blue and red team members
Security assessments often involve two separate teams. The defensive blue team attempts to mitigate attacks using techniques such as vulnerability scanning and security controls. The offensive red team uses penetration testing and social engineering techniques to stimulate real-world attacks.
Table 2 contrasts the expertise required by members of the blue and red teams. Historically, blue and red teams have operated independently. Recently, the concept of a purple team has emerged, focusing on bringing together the defensive blue team and the offensive red team to create a more collaborative and efficient approach to mitigating threats.
| Blue Team | Red Team |
|---|---|
| Familiar with security systems, including firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) | Familiar with penetration tools such as Kali Linux and Metasploit |
| Knowledgeable in security policies, industry cybersecurity best practices, and compliance requirements | Knowledgeable in the methodologies, tactics, and techniques used by malicious hackers |
| Capable of running network scanners and analyzing network traffic | Capable of running penetration tests to find vulnerabilities |
| Know how to identify and remediate vulnerabilities | Know how to develop exploits, particularly in software |
| Skilled in monitoring and responding to security alerts and incidents | Skilled in social engineering techniques such as phishing |
| Gathers vulnerability intelligence | Gathers attack intelligence |
Distinguishing between vulnerability scanning and penetration testing security policies
Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing are distinct but complementary processes that enhance an organization’s protection against potential threats. Vulnerability scanning identifies potential weaknesses, while penetration testing attempts to exploit those weaknesses. Together, they are proven approaches for finding vulnerabilities and assessing the impact of those vulnerabilities on the organization’s IT infrastructure.
Ideally, the organization’s security policy should include sections dedicated to vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. Table 3 highlights the content typically found in these security policies. While both are essential for the organization’s security awareness, the goals, scope, and procedures differ significantly.
| Vulnerability Scanning Policy | Penetration Testing Policy | |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Proactively identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities | Evaluate the organization’s security controls and procedures and identify gaps |
| Scope | The IT infrastructure to be scanned (systems, applications, networks, and data) Scan frequency Scanning tools or services | IT assets to be included or excluded Types of tests allowed or restricted (e.g., internal, external) Penetration tools and techniques allowed or restricted |
| Responsibilities | Individuals or blue teams run vulnerability scans, analyze the results, and implement remediation measures | Individuals or red teams stimulate adversarial attacks, identify security gaps, and implement remediation measures |
| Procedures | Defining scope Scheduling scans Executing scans Storing scan results Reporting findings Prioritizing vulnerabilities Defining scope Scheduling scans Executing scans Storing scan results Reporting findings Prioritizing vulnerabilities Taking remediation actions | Obtaining authorization Defining the scope, limitations, and boundaries Executing attacks Documenting findings Prioritizing vulnerabilities and threats Reporting findings Defining scope Scheduling scans Executing scans Storing scan results Reporting findings Prioritizing vulnerabilities Taking remediation actions |
| Disclosures | Confidentiality requirements Identified stakeholders | Confidentiality requirements Identified stakeholders (may include third-party product vendors and customers) |
| Compliance Requirements | For example, GDPR, PCI DSS, or HIPAA | For example, GDPR, PCI DSS, or HIPAA |
What to do after reading this blog
Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing are essential for any organization committed to protecting its IT assets and demonstrating due diligence. Both should be performed regularly to keep up with evolving threats.
If you are excited about becoming more involved in vulnerability testing or penetration testing, I recommend the following next steps:
- Identify your organization’s high-risk assets.
- Check the frequency at which your organization does vulnerability and penetration testing.
- Find out if your organization has blue, red, or purple teams.
- Identify the vulnerability scanning and penetration testing tools these teams use.
- Consider whether you want to join the blue or red team.
- Create a plan to develop the knowledge and skills you need to be successful on your preferred team.
If you want to be on the blue team, you may wish to check out NetAlly’s network analyzer CyberScope. Within minutes, you can connect CyberScope to a wireless or wired network, run comprehensive network scans, and detect weaknesses. Remember, you must always get approval before you conduct any vulnerability scan or penetration test on any network.
