Vulnerability Assessments Versus Penetration Tests: The Contrast
Vulnerability Assessments vs. Penetration Tests: The contrast between Vulnerability Assessments & Penetration Tests Vulnerability Assessments & penetration tests are closely related, but separate activities within the security testing field. A vulnerability assessment (VA) is a periodic sweep of an organization’s IT infrastructure to detect software flaws, weak passwords, and any areas where security is easily compromised (Mishra, 2021). In contrast, penetration testing (PT) is a hands-on exploration of an organization’s system and applications to identify security flaws and exploit them (Gurumurthy, 2015). VA is performed periodically, whereas PT tests are often done one-off. VA relies on scanning the network and applications for information. It is better suited for networks with large configuration requirements. PT requires specialised personnel, and can be more costly and take longer scans (Gurumurthy 2015). PT specialists are able to focus their efforts on particular targets. They must simulate realistic scenarios in order to determine the best path and minimize damage. This makes PT an indispensable tool to understand how certain scenarios can lead to harm. VA and PT differ in terms of their intended purpose, costs, and capabilities. VA suits larger organizations better, while PT can be used for a more detailed understanding of particular attack scenarios. Cont…
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