Vulnerability Scanning vs. Penetration Testing

Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing are two very different ways to test your system for any vulnerabilities. Despite this, they are often confused as the same service, which leads to business owners purchasing one service when they need the other.

A vulnerability scan is an automated, high-level test that looks for and reports potential vulnerabilities in your system. On the other hand, a penetration test is a detailed hands-on examination by a cybersecurity professional that tries to detect and exploit weaknesses in your system. Now, let’s look a little deeper at the two services.

What is a Vulnerability Scan?

Vulnerability scans can also be known as vulnerability assessments and are a scan performed by cybersecurity professionals that assess your systems, networks, and computers for any cybersecurity weaknesses or vulnerabilities. 

Once they have been set up, vulnerability scans are typically automated and are used to give a beginning look at any weaknesses in your system that could be exploited. High-quality vulnerability scans can search for over 50,000 vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability scans can be started manually or can be run on a regularly scheduled basis. In addition, vulnerability scans can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

Vulnerability scans are a passive approach to cybersecurity and only report on any vulnerabilities that are detected. It is then up to the business owner to arrange to take care of those vulnerabilities.

Benefits of a Vulnerability Scan

• A very affordable cybersecurity solution
• Quick to complete and provide a complete look at possible vulnerabilities
• Scans can be run automatically on a schedule that accommodates business operations

Limitations of a Vulnerability Scan

• They can provide false positives
• After the scan is complete, you must manually check each vulnerability
• Vulnerability scans don’t tell you if a weakness is exploitable

What is a Penetration Test?

Penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, is when a cybersecurity professional simulates a hacker attempting to get into your system through a hands-on attempt to exploit any vulnerabilities in your system. Penetration testers will search for vulnerabilities and then try to prove that the vulnerability can be exploited. Penetration testing makes use of testing methods like buffer overflow, password cracking, and SQL injection in an attempt to compromise and extract data from your network in a way that doesn’t damage it.

Penetration tests are an extremely detailed and practical approach to finding any vulnerabilities in your applications and networks. Penetration testing is the best method for determining the actual security state of your applications. And, if you modify your systems and software over time, a regular penetration test is a great way to ensure continued security.

The central aspect that differentiates penetration testing from vulnerability scanning is the live human element. There is no such thing as an automated penetration test. All penetration tests are conducted by very experienced, very technical cybersecurity professionals.

 Benefits of a Penetration Test

• Manual testing by a cybersecurity professional means that the results are more accurate
• Retesting after remediation is often included as standard
• Rules out any false positives

 Limitations of a Penetration Test

• Can take far longer to complete (ranging from 1 day up to 3 weeks)
• Are far more expensive than vulnerability scans, which can be an issue for smaller businesses

 Which is Better? A Vulnerability Scan Or A Penetration Test?

Vulnerability scans are a quick and easy way to gain insight into your network security with weekly, monthly, or quarterly scans. However, penetration tests are far more thorough and deeply examine your network security. They are also far more expensive. But, you are getting a cybersecurity professional to explore every part of your business in the same way a real-world attacker would.

Companies should utilize both tests to protect their networks and ensure security. As the more affordable option, vulnerability scanning is a tool that can easily be automated and used more frequently. In comparison, the more expensive penetration tests are comprehensive and can be used less frequently. Effective cybersecurity is vital for businesses, regardless of size.

For further advice on vulnerability scans and penetration testing or to arrange a test for your network, contact Harbor Technology Group.