Purpose |
Identifies and catalogs vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications. |
Simulates real-world attacks to exploit vulnerabilities and assess the security of the system. |
Continuously emulates advanced attack scenarios to evaluate and improve security defenses in real-time. |
Methodology |
Automated scanning tools to identify known vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. |
Manual and automated methods used by ethical hackers to exploit vulnerabilities. |
Automated simulation of attacks using tools like Caldera to mimic real-world adversary tactics. |
Frequency |
Typically performed regularly, such as quarterly or annually, as part of routine security maintenance. |
Performed periodically, usually annually or bi-annually, or after significant system changes. |
Continuous or on-demand, offering real-time assessments and improvements. |
Coverage |
Broad coverage of systems, identifying all known vulnerabilities. |
Focused on specific systems or components to exploit vulnerabilities and test defenses. |
Focuses on critical assets and realistic attack paths to validate the effectiveness of security controls. |
Risk Assessment |
Identifies potential risks but does not exploit vulnerabilities, so risk impact is hypothetical. |
Provides a detailed risk assessment by showing the impact of successfully exploited vulnerabilities. |
Assesses risk based on the effectiveness of security controls against simulated attacks. |
Reporting |
Generates a report of identified vulnerabilities, categorized by severity and risk. |
Detailed report with vulnerabilities exploited, how they were exploited, and recommendations for remediation. |
Provides comprehensive reports with attack paths, exploited vulnerabilities, and actionable remediation guidance. |
Expertise Required |
Moderate - Can be performed by security teams with experience using VA tools. |
High - Requires skilled ethical hackers with deep knowledge of attack methods and security systems. |
Moderate to High - Requires understanding of attack scenarios and how to interpret BAS results for continuous improvement. |
Remediation |
Provides a list of vulnerabilities to fix but does not offer direct remediation support. |
Offers detailed guidance on how to remediate specific vulnerabilities that were exploited. |
Includes remediation guidance and ongoing improvement suggestions based on continuous testing. |
Cost |
Generally lower cost due to the automated nature of the assessment. |
Higher cost due to the manual effort and expertise required. |
Varies based on the scope and frequency, typically more cost-effective in the long term for continuous assessment. |
Best For |
Organizations looking for a regular overview of vulnerabilities without needing to exploit them. |
Organizations needing to test the effectiveness of their defenses and understand the real-world impact of vulnerabilities. |
Organizations seeking ongoing, real-time assessment of their security posture and continuous improvement. |