Types of Security Testing
There are two basic types of security testing: risk assessment and penetration testing. Risk assessment involves stimulating cyberattacks in real time by a certified security expert, to find unknown security vulnerabilities in an application. Penetration testing, on the other hand, involves reviewing an application’s code against defined security standards. Security auditing involves assessing the security standards of the application, as well as user practices, operating system, and regulatory framework compliance.
When organizations need to protect their information, they need to make sure it is not stolen or misused by unauthorized users. Unauthorized access to information can result in the compromise of critical user data. Creating a robust security testing framework can help protect them from such a risk. In addition to assessing application vulnerabilities, network security testing also aims to detect any areas of weak security in a network. Network attacks can compromise customer and organizational sensitive data. Without security testing, potential hackers can change or delete sensitive information.
In addition to vulnerability assessment, security scanning can also uncover unknown vulnerabilities in web applications. This is a key first step in vulnerability management and software security. Using automated tools or manual tests, security scanning helps identify the risks and vulnerabilities present in systems. This type of vulnerability assessment is also called vulnerability analysis. It helps determine whether a security vulnerability can be exploited. Further, API security testing identifies vulnerabilities in APIs. Since APIs often provide access to sensitive data, attackers can use them to gain access to internal systems. This makes it critical to test APIs on a regular basis to avoid potential abuse.
What Are Types of Security Testing?
Vulnerability scanning analyzes vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. This kind of security assessment uses automated tools to scan software against known vulnerability signatures. Vulnerability scanning can also include manual methods that involve security researchers. These testers identify security vulnerabilities and identify updates required to close them. However, the objective of vulnerability scanning is to find weaknesses in systems and applications, which leads to the release of patches and fixes. When security testing is done properly, it protects the organization against hackers and protects its users from attacks.
Penetration testing involves imitating an attack to determine vulnerabilities. Application penetration testing, on the other hand, looks at specific systems for vulnerabilities. Security risk assessment involves reviewing systems internally and making recommendations for controls to reduce risk. Finally, security auditing and risk assessment combine to produce a comprehensive security assessment. These types of security testing are essential for any organization. A thorough assessment of your organization’s security risks will help you decide which controls to implement in your organization and prevent attacks.
Database security involves protecting data from unauthorized access. Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, and Oracle database servers all store sensitive information. Database security testing evaluates the security posture of key database elements, such as the hosting server, underlying DBMS, data stored within databases, and applications connected to the database. If the database server has any of these elements, it’s vital to secure it. These components can be accessed by unauthorized users and hackers.