As organizations move towards DevOps and embrace the philosophy of continuous delivery, it has become increasingly important to ensure that the security of applications and systems is not compromised in the pursuit of faster development and deployment.
There are multiple types of tests that exist in the realm of information security in order to discover any potential weak points. Penetration testing, or pentest for short, is one of the most important forms of testing.
A pentest is a process where an attacker attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in order to gain access to systems and data. There are many different ways to perform a pentest, but one of the most popular methods is known as continuous penetration testing.
Continuous penetration testing is one way to ensure that security is maintained as an organization moves towards a more agile way of working.
In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of continuous penetration testing and how it can help your business move from DevOps to DevSecOps.
What Are The Benefits Of Continuous Penetration Testing- Elucidate?
One of the benefits of continuous penetration testing is that it provides a more comprehensive view of an organization’s security posture.
Traditional pentests are typically conducted on an annual or bi-annual basis, and as such, they can only provide a snapshot in time of an organization’s security.
In contrast, continuous penetration testing provides a constant stream of data that can be used to identify trends and weaknesses over time.
This allows organizations to not only fix current vulnerabilities but also proactively address future risks.
Another benefit of continuous penetration testing is that it can help to speed up development cycles.
By identifying and fixing vulnerabilities early in the development process, organizations can avoid the need for rework later on.
This can help you save time and money while also resulting in a more secure product.
What Are The Steps In Continuous Penetration Testing- Explain?
There are four steps in continuous penetration testing:
- The first step is to select the target systems. This includes both applications and infrastructure that will be tested.
- The next step is to establish how many tests should be conducted. This step is important in order to ensure that only relevant systems are tested, and that no sensitive data is compromised.
- Once you have your target audience and objectives in mind, you can begin testing.
- The findings from the tests must be analyzed and remedied as necessary.
- It is important to note that continuous penetration testing is not a one-time event, but rather an ongoing process.
As such, it is important to have a plan in place for regularly conducting tests and addressing any vulnerabilities that are found.
What Are The Best Tools For Continuous Penetration Testing?
Some of the most popular include Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Astra Pentest.
Some of the most popular tools include:
- Astra Pentest: This is a popular VAPT tool with a comprehensive scanning facility. They provide continuous and periodic continuous penetration testing with the help of their state-of-the-art vulnerability scanner.
- Burp Suite: Burp Suite is a collection of tools for web application security testing. It includes a proxy server, scanner, and intruder among other things.
- Nessus: Nessus is a vulnerability detection tool that may be used to find flaws in computer systems and applications.
- Metasploit: Metasploit is a tool that helps you build and execute exploit code.
The best tool for continuous penetration testing will vary depending on the specific needs of an organization.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Continuous Penetration Testing?
Some of the pros include:
- A more comprehensive view of security posture
- Can help to speed up development cycles
- Allows for proactive addressing of future risks
- On the other hand, some of the cons include:
- Can be time-consuming and resource intensive
- Requires skilled personnel to conduct tests and interpret results
- It May require investment in tools and infrastructure
What Are The Alternative Options To Continuous Penetration Testing?
If continuous penetration testing is not right for your organization, there are a number of alternative options that can be considered.
These include:
- Vulnerability scanning: Vulnerability scanning is a process of identifying weaknesses in systems and applications. This can be done manually or with the use of automated tools.
- Security audits: Security audits are periodic evaluations of an organization’s security posture. They typically involve manual testing and review of security controls.
- Threat modeling: The purpose of threat modeling is to proactively identify potential threats to a system so that they can be addressed. This can be used to guide the development of security controls.
What Are The Benefits Of Continuous Penetration Testing: Explained
Continuous penetration testing is a process of repeatedly testing for vulnerabilities in systems and applications.
It can be used to provide feedback about the security posture of systems during the development process.
In addition, continuous penetration testing can help to identify weaknesses in processes and tools that can be addressed to further improve security.
Overall, continuous penetration testing can help to improve the security of an organization by providing insights into risks and vulnerabilities.
How Does Continuous Penetration Testing Help Move From DevOps To DevSecOps?
Continuous penetration testing can help to move from DevOps to DevSecOps by providing feedback about the security posture of systems during the development process.
Feedback from customers may be used to make necessary adjustments and enhance security before a product is deployed.
In addition, continuous penetration testing can help to identify weaknesses in processes and tools that can be addressed to further improve security.
By providing insights into risks and vulnerabilities, continuous penetration testing can help organizations move from DevOps to DevSecOps.
Conclusion
Continuous penetration testing is a process of repeatedly testing for vulnerabilities in systems and applications.
It can be used to provide feedback about the security posture of systems during the development process.
In addition, continuous penetration testing can help to identify weaknesses in processes and tools that can be addressed to further improve security.
Overall, continuous penetration testing can help to improve the security of an organization by providing insights into risks and vulnerabilities.
While there are some potential drawbacks, such as the need for specialized skills and knowledge, the benefits of continuous penetration testing far outweigh the costs.
Continuous penetration testing is an effective technique for businesses seeking to strengthen their security posture.
Information security specialist, currently working as risk infrastructure specialist & investigator.
15 years of experience in risk and control process, security audit support, business continuity design and support, workgroup management and information security standards.
