In today’s digital world, it is crucial for businesses of all sizes to conduct regular security audits. Two of the most preferred security audit methods are Vulnerability Scanning (Vulnerability Assessment) and Penetration Testing. But how do you choose the right one for your business?
Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, the most effective way to protect your systems from potential threats is by using these methods correctly. However, these two terms are often confused with each other. In this article, we will explain the differences between Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing and help you determine which one is more suitable for your needs.
What is Vulnerability Scanning?
Vulnerability Scanning is an automated analysis method used to identify potential security vulnerabilities in systems. Through this scan, security holes in systems are identified, analyzed, and categorized based on their severity using various software tools. This process helps detect vulnerabilities before potential attacks, allowing businesses to address them and reduce their risk.
Vulnerability scans offer quick results in detecting and reporting security flaws by utilizing automated tools. However, they do not provide in-depth information on how critical the discovered vulnerabilities are or how they can be exploited.
Advantages of Vulnerability Scanning:
- Fast and Cost-effective: It can be automated and is relatively inexpensive.
- Automated Reporting: Provides detailed reports on security vulnerabilities.
- Wide Coverage: Can detect over 50,000 potential vulnerabilities.
Disadvantages of Vulnerability Scanning:
- False Positives: The scan might identify issues that are not real threats.
- Does Not Conduct Exploit Testing: It identifies vulnerabilities but does not test how they could be exploited.
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration Testing (Pentesting) is a security test where the discovered vulnerabilities are manually tested to see if they can be exploited. Penetration testing simulates a real-world attack by ethical hackers to evaluate how dangerous the vulnerabilities are. During this test, the ethical hackers attempt to infiltrate the systems using various techniques that a real attacker might employ.
Unlike vulnerability scanning, penetration tests are performed manually, with each vulnerability being thoroughly tested for exploitability.
For more details on Penetration Testing, check out our blog post ‘What is Penetration Testing?’.
Advantages of Penetration Testing:
- Real Attack Simulation: Manual tests simulate real attack scenarios.
- In-depth Analysis: Tests whether vulnerabilities can be exploited.
- No False Positives: Every identified vulnerability is manually verified, eliminating false positives.
Disadvantages of Penetration Testing:
- Higher Cost: It is more expensive than vulnerability scanning.
- Time-consuming: A full penetration test can take anywhere from several days to weeks.
How Do Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing Work?
Penetration tests are manual and include both costly and resource-intensive operations, potentially placing stress on systems/networks. Because of this, they are not continuous and need to be repeated when infrastructure changes occur. In contrast, vulnerability scanning is performed regularly to ensure systems are protected against newly discovered vulnerabilities. It is an ongoing service that verifies whether systems remain exposed to threats and enables businesses to respond to potential risks quickly.
Many companies use regular vulnerability scans to identify potential threats, unpatched systems, or ports that may pose risks. These scans prepare businesses for penetration tests, which seek to evaluate how far an attacker could go even after vulnerabilities have been patched.
Why Use Both Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing?
While some regulations mandate penetration testing, vulnerability scanning services are complementary, allowing businesses to act on vulnerabilities immediately without waiting for a penetration test. They support each other, with vulnerability scans providing real-time risk assessments and penetration tests offering a deeper dive into potential exploits.
Key Differences Between Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing:
The main difference between vulnerability scanning and penetration testing is their methodology. Vulnerability scanning is done automatically using tools, providing quick results, while penetration testing is done manually and offers a more comprehensive analysis of how critical and exploitable the identified vulnerabilities are.
The Key Differences:
- Vulnerability Scanning: Automated, fast, and surface-level testing.
- Penetration Testing: Manual, in-depth, and comprehensive testing.
When used together, vulnerability scanning and penetration testing can maximize your company’s security. Vulnerability scanning provides an economical solution with weekly, monthly, or quarterly scans, while penetration testing should be used for deeper examination of your systems. If budget is not a concern, penetration testing is always a more reliable option regardless of your company’s size.
At Invento, we offer tailored Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing services to meet your company’s security needs. Our team consists of experienced ethical hackers, and all of our tests are carefully conducted to enhance your security. Get in touch with us to determine the most suitable security audit for your systems and protect your business.