What is pentest as a service?

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What is pentest as a service

Penetration testing, often abbreviated as pentesting, is the practice of testing a computer system, network, or web application to find security vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit. Pentest as a service (PTaaS) provides penetration testing on demand through cloud-based services.

Some key questions about pentest as a service include:

What are the benefits of pentest as a service?

There are several advantages to using pentest as a service instead of conducting penetration tests internally:

  • Cost savings – No need to purchase penetration testing tools and maintain labs. PTaaS is paid on demand.
  • Expertise – Access to skilled security professionals and latest methodologies.
  • Flexibility – Scale testing up or down as needed.
  • Speed – Get started quickly without procurement delays.
  • Reporting – Professional reports with remediation advice.

How does pentest as a service work?

PTaaS uses the following general process:

  1. The client engages the PTaaS provider and specifies the scope – applications, networks, etc. to be tested.
  2. The provider sets up the testing environment that emulates the client infrastructure.
  3. Ethical hackers conduct tests using tools and techniques to find vulnerabilities.
  4. The client is given access to monitor testing in real-time.
  5. A comprehensive report is provided detailing findings and how to remediate them.
  6. The client can schedule regular testing to validate security defences.

Key components of PTaaS

PTaaS platforms have several key components:

  • Cloud infrastructure – Scalable testing labs are hosted in the cloud.
  • Testing tools – Latest commercial, open source, and custom tools.
  • Automation – Workflows automate setup, execution, and reporting.
  • Talent pool – In-house or crowdsourced security professionals.
  • Dashboards – Provide visibility into testing activity.
  • APIs – Allow integrating with other systems.

What are the different types of pentests?

There are several specialized penetration testing types conducted in PTaaS engagements:

Network pentest

Probes internal and external networks for risks like:

  • Open ports allowing unauthorized access
  • Vulnerable network services
  • Weak firewall rules
  • Lack of encryption

Web app pentest

Assesses web applications and APIs for flaws like:

  • Injection attacks
  • Broken authentication
  • Security misconfigurations
  • Cross-site scripting (XSS)

Mobile app pentest

Evaluates mobile apps for vulnerabilities including:

  • Data leakage
  • Broken cryptography
  • Authentication issues
  • Logical flaws

Social engineering

Tests staff responses to phishing, vishing, smishing, and other social engineering attacks.

Physical pentest

Attempts intrusion into facilities to identify weaknesses in physical security controls.

Red teaming

Simulates attacker behaviors over an extended period to comprehensively test detection and response capabilities.

What are the steps in a pentest?

A standard pentest process includes these key phases:

Planning

The scope, timing, rules of engagement are established between the client and pentest provider.

Reconnaissance

The target systems and environments are examined to map out the attack surface.

Vulnerability scanning

Automated scans are used to quickly identify known security issues.

Exploitation

Attempted intrusion and privilege escalation using manual hacking techniques.

Post-exploitation

Actions taken after gaining access such as data exfiltration or privilege escalation.

Reporting

Documenting all findings, analysis, and remediation guidance for the client.

What regulations apply to pentesting?

Penetration testing must comply with relevant laws and regulations including:

  • Authorization – Only conducted with formal approval from the system owner.
  • Privacy – Personally identifiable data cannot be accessed without permission.
  • Data protection – Sensitive data must be handled as per regulations like GDPR.
  • Electronic communications – Intercepting traffic may require legal permission.
  • Jurisdiction – Crossing country borders with testing tools may violate import/export laws.

Ethical pentesters only operate within the agreed scope and rules of engagement.

How should pentest results be handled?

Proper handling of pentest results is critical for security:

  • Labeling – Clearly identify test data and accounts.
  • Isolation – Keep test data separate from production data.
  • Secured access – Strictly control access to pentest reports and tools.
  • Remediation – Devise a plan to address findings and fix vulnerabilities.
  • Retesting – Conduct phased testing to verify fixes.
  • Destruction – Completely purge temporary test data.

How can organizations select a pentest provider?

Key selection criteria for a pentest vendor:

  • Experience – Years of practicing latest pentesting techniques.
  • Reputation – Respectable clients and industry recognition.
  • Methodology – Structured, comprehensive, and compliant processes.
  • Reporting – Clear documentation of issues found and how to resolve them.
  • Talent – Skilled security professionals, ideally with relevant certifications.
  • Services – Capability to conduct all necessary pentest types.
  • Tools – Extensive toolbox leveraging commercial, open source, and custom tools.
  • Scalability – Ability to provision large testing environments rapidly.
  • Communication – Responsiveness to questions and progress updates.
  • Pricing – Flexible options aligned with scope and frequency of testing.

How often should pentesting be performed?

Recommended pentest frequency depends on factors like:

  • Change rate – Faster release cycles demand more frequent testing.
  • Criticality – High-impact systems should be tested more often.
  • Capability – Mature programs can test at scale efficiently.
  • Compliance – Industry standards may prescribe testing schedules.
  • Threat profile – High-risk environments merit increased testing.

Typical testing cadences are:

  • Annual pentesting for stable legacy environments.
  • Quarterly or monthly for rapidly evolving systems.
  • After every major release, infrastructure change, or application rewrite.

How can organizations maximize the value of pentesting?

Best practices to optimize penetration testing results:

  • Integrate into SDLC – Conduct earlier in development to fix issues faster.
  • Test comprehensively – Expand scope beyond compliance minimums.
  • Establish priorities – Focus higher effort on high-value targets.
  • Include source code reviews – Identify coding flaws and backdoors.
  • Verify remediation – Retest to confirm vulnerabilities are addressed.
  • Share knowledge – Educate staff about common issues identified.
  • Build in-house expertise – Develop internal capabilities alongside external testing.

What tools are used for pentesting?

Pen testers leverage diverse tools including:

Vulnerability scanners

  • Nessus
  • OpenVAS
  • Nexpose

Web app analyzers

  • Burp Suite
  • OWASP ZAP
  • PortSwigger

Network sniffers

  • Wireshark
  • tcpdump
  • NetworkMiner

Exploitation frameworks

  • Metasploit
  • Core Impact
  • Armitage

Password crackers

  • John the Ripper
  • Hashcat
  • Hydra

Penetration testers chain together results from multiple tools to find potential access paths attackers could leverage.

What skills are required for pentesting?

Essential skills for penetration testers include:

  • Programming – Scripting to automate testing tasks.
  • Networking – Assessing network infrastructure weaknesses.
  • OS internals – In-depth knowledge of operating system security.
  • Web technologies – Finding flaws in web apps and APIs.
  • Mobile expertise – Testing mobile platforms and devices.
  • Tool mastery – Ability to effectively utilize testing tools.
  • Creativity – Devising unexpected attack methods.
  • Communication – Conveying technical issues and mitigation guidance.
  • Precision – Attention to detail avoiding collateral damage.
  • Legal knowledge – Understanding laws and regulations applicable to testing.

What certifications are available for pentesters?

Leading professional certifications for pen testers include:

Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Hands-on penetration testing certification requiring finding vulnerabilities and compromising hosts.

GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester (GXPN)

Advanced certification demonstrating skills in discovering zero-day exploits.

CREST Registered Tester

Rigorous UK certification scheme commonly required for pen testers in Europe.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Foundational penetration testing certification from EC-Council.

Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT)

Dutch government-approved certification for pen testing consultants in the Netherlands.

Several certifications like OSCP and CREST require hands-on exams to demonstrate applied pentesting ability.

Conclusion

Penetration testing as a service provides tremendous value for organizations by identifying security vulnerabilities using proven tactics and tools reflective of the ever-evolving threat landscape. PTaaS solutions enable frequent, cost-effective testing by experienced professionals leveraging cloud infrastructure. Wise companies utilize continuous pentesting as a key element of a layered security strategy focused on proactively reducing risk.