Vulnerability Scanning vs. Penetration Testing

When deciding between a vulnerability assessment vs. a penetration test, it helps to first know how each works. 

Vulnerability scanning uses a computer program to identify weaknesses in the security or performance of your systems, including networks, computers, applications, and mobile devices. A vulnerability assessment will not involve active attempts to penetrate a device, application, or network, while a penetration test will invariably include an attempt to get past your digital defenses.

Vulnerability scanning generates quantifiable numbers that assess the risks your data and systems face should a breach attempt materialize. A vulnerability scan can also help you figure out which assets are in trouble if malicious code is introduced to the system. 

Using the information the scan provides, you can take steps to bolster the security around particularly sensitive or valuable assets, such as customer payment data. Protecting customer data is necessary to stay in compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).  

Vulnerability testing follows a series of steps to identify flaws in your system and how to prevent attacks in the future. In addition to strengthening the security of your system, the testing process can improve your reputation with competitors, customers, and third-party vendors that may be considering doing business with you.

Here are a few challenges to keep in mind when considering getting a vulnerability scan vs. a penetration test:

Many companies do not systematically keep track of their digital assets, making it a challenge to perform the right assortment of vulnerability tests to adequately protect their systems. This is particularly true for organizations that do not keep an asset list or a flowchart illustrating how different assets are protected. 

Before getting a vulnerability scan, take an accurate, comprehensive inventory of all your digital assets, focusing on those that malicious attackers may want to target.

The purpose of vulnerability scanning is to identify system weaknesses so you can fix them and create a safer operating environment. However, improving operational safety may involve interrupting work in some business units or departments, which may not sit well with one or more areas of your organization. As such, get all departments on board before developing a vulnerability testing strategy. 

A vulnerability scan becomes instantly out of date the moment it is finished. This is because new threats emerge on the landscape all the time. For this reason, some organizations perform regular, frequent tests to minimize the chances of missing a vulnerability.

Penetration testing and vulnerability scanning are similar in several ways, including:

1. Both can identify vulnerabilities in your system.
2. Both are done in part using automation.
3. Both can reveal connections between various network components, application elements, and specific sensitive data you want to protect.

While similar, vulnerability scanning and penetration testing are vastly different:

1. Although penetration testing involves some automation, much of it is done manually by the pen tester.
2. A vulnerability scan only uncovers weaknesses in your system, but a penetration test discovers weaknesses and attempts to exploit them.
3. Often, a penetration test costs more than a vulnerability scan. This is because a pen test requires more human hours, while a vulnerability scan can be done solely using automated tools.

In certain situations, a vulnerability scan may be the best option. For example, if you are developing an application and want to know if a specific component has vulnerabilities, it makes sense to perform a vulnerability scan.

On the other hand, a penetration test provides all the benefits of a vulnerability scan, plus insights into what happens when a hacker takes advantage of the application's weaknesses. As long as the tester is thorough, a pen test is the better option.