Application pen testing: Main methods and tools to use
If you’re an organization with a digital presence, you’re almost immediately vulnerable to a host of malicious entities who
If you’re an organization with a digital presence, you’re almost immediately vulnerable to a host of malicious entities who can gain access to you in a myriad of ways. Fending these actors requires the implementation of security measures that help enhance your existing protection, like firewalls and application pen testing, which ImmuniWeb identifies as crucial solutions.
This test, interestingly enough, can be carried out in several ways, each of which depends on a host of factors. Let’s look at pen testing as a whole and delve into its types and which one is suitable for your situation.
Tests: key areas of focus
Application penetration testing is a simulated attack on one’s applications or digital systems in an attempt to see how effective any security measures will be in the real world. While this idea of a certified or ethical hack has existed for decades now, what this test does in the modern world is much more expansive. This is because of the threat of cybersecurity attacks, which, based on some statistics, can cause major damage to businesses, for example.
The threats posed to digital spaces and assets are numerous and include everything from malware to phishing and internal threats. These can then be accessed through multiple avenues across an organization’s entire digital domain and these include:
- Websites and applications
- Mobile apps
- HTTP-centric IoT devices
- The cloud presence of the organization
How the tests function
The idea behind the tests in question is that after the scope of the entire process is identified and all tools assembled, these major areas of concern are then intentionally attacked. From this app pen testing, vital information can be brought about, including:
- The vulnerable spots
- How they were exploited
- For how long they were exploited
Only after the process is seen through can any vulnerabilities be addressed. In addressing these, the risks of future cyber issues are reduced while also being beneficial from a compliance standpoint, as such testing is often mandatory and required frequently.
Methodologies used
Now, application pen testing comes in several forms that vary depending on what you want to be done, as well as elements out of your control, such as pricing and available resources. Testing methodologies you may find include:
All-round tests
By all-around, we mean testing that is both internal and external. With the former, the simulated attacks occur behind the firewall and, therefore, mimic the actions of an insider with malicious intent. The latter’s main focus is on threats that exist outside an organization, but whose main point of access is whatever internet presence that exists.
Blind tests
When testing is blind, the tester is essentially left in the dark about all things except the name of the entity whose security they are looking to breach. The benefit of this type of test is that it gives security enactors a realistic perspective of things, as it allows them to see how things would go.
The idea of a blind test is only further expanded upon with double-blind tests. With the standard blind test, there is at least some forewarning given to security personnel. This, however, isn’t given in a double-blind test. As such, the realism is only heightened since, in real life, no organization is ever warned of breaches.
Targeted tests
Another type of application pen testing is the targeted test, which sees input from both the tester and the personnel asking to stop future events. The basic idea is that both parties are in the know of what the other is doing at all times, which gives the security personnel an edge because they know exactly what the tester can see and is doing.
White box tests
This type of test, if anything, can be considered the complete opposite of either of the blind tests, specifically the double-blind variety. This is because it pretty much gives the tester just about everything they need to ensure that the attack is as successful as it can be.
This means providing them with all the source code, uninterrupted access to systems and all documentation. This type of test will give you a look into your systems that’s more comprehensive than others and is, as a result, on the pricier end.
Tools used
For the goal of boosting digital security to be reached, all of the above tests will need for there to be tools available. These tools have to span the entire digital scope of the organization or at least, what is prioritized. For the most part, the tools offered will typically focus on the major vulnerabilities that are encountered, such as the many internet-centric tools that are out there.
With these, one could test out the security of their WiFi and other networks with the tools that are specific to it. There are also specific tools that can help with testing the security of the organization’s online presence. This includes all websites related to it, as well as mobile applications.
This idea of specific tools built to deal with specific areas allows for a range of aids that can be used. As such, we see everything from the aforementioned tools to others that deal with the cloud, emails and SQL, just to name a few. Interestingly enough, some vendors offering application pen testing services will offer these tools for free, but if extra features such as AI implementation are to be brought in, more has to be spent.
Final thoughts
Protecting the digital assets of any organization is an important undertaking, especially in this day and age. Application pen testing is a process that helps one go through with this, as it gives them insight into what needs to be fixed. However, depending on the resources you have, as well as what you may have to prioritize, you may need to pick and choose between the myriad of test types listed above for greater convenience.
Said convenience, irrespective of testing type, is facilitated by the myriad of tools that pen testing requires regardless of type. If these tools are used with the right professional wielding them, the cyber attacks of the future will be less of a threat to your organization.
