Scan for Straightforward known Vulnerabilities (non invasive)

What is Automated Penetration Testing?

Automated penetration testing, often shortened to pen testing, is a methodology that identifies weaknesses in a system's security setup by using advanced pen testing tools. It's the outcome of continual progress in the field of machine learning, standing a cut above vulnerability scanning, which surveys computer networks to pinpoint security gaps that could potentially leave businesses open to cyber threats.

Automated penetration testing quickly identifies known software vulnerabilities, like a server missing security patches or a gadget unintentionally exposed to the internet. This approach leverages tools also used by pen testers during manual pen tests, sometimes referred to as automated pen testing tools.

Automated pen testing holds a significant role in cybersecurity validation—a systematic process where businesses continually redefine their security optimization priorities using controlled simulation, response validation, and process improvement.

Automated Pen Testing vs Manual Pen Testing

While automated penetration testing uses tool power to rapidly discover flaws, manual penetration testing requires planning, implementation, and scrutiny by a qualified and certified professional. That's why automated pen testing is quicker and often considerably cheaper than manual pen testing. Automated pen testing is highly efficient, letting companies glean important insights at a comparatively low cost. However, manual pen testing offers a more in-depth investigation of a firm’s security infrastructure, carried out by seasoned security experts. It also detects sophisticated vulnerabilities and attacks that automated tests might overlook, such as security problems occurring due to errors in business logic.

Manual pen testing allows for more creativity since it is human-run. This means that testers can react to their findings and use their judgment to test in a specific direction. This kind of penetration test typically ends with a personalized report and debrief from the testers, offering a high level of insight into the vulnerabilities, their predicted impact, and mitigation strategies. Human-run pen testing methods are crucial in red teaming, a strategy where ethical hackers emulate a cyberattack's conditions by utilizing the same tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) typically employed by threat actors. This ensures the engagements closely mimic real-life situations to thoroughly evaluate the effectiveness of a business’s security stance against different attack formats and threat actor groups.