Penetration tests can deliver widely different results depending on which standards and methodologies they leverage. Updated penetration testing standards and methodologies provide a viable option for companies who need to secure their systems and fix their cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Here are 5 penetration testing methodologies and standards that will guarantee a return on your investment:
The OSSTMM framework, one of the most recognized standards in the industry, provides a scientific methodology for network penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. This framework contains a comprehensive guide for testers to identify security vulnerabilities within a network (and its components) from various potential angles of attack. This methodology relies on the tester’s in-depth knowledge and experience, as well as human intelligence to interpret the identified vulnerabilities and their potential impact within the network.
Unlike the majority of security manuals, this framework was also created to support network development teams. A majority of developers and IT teams base their firewalls and networks on this manual and the guidelines it provides. While this manual does not advocate for a particular network protocol or software, it highlights the best practices and the steps that should be taken to ensure the security of your networks.
As technological landscapes have become more complex with advancements like cloud computing, virtualization, and various infrastructure types, traditional simplistic tests for desktops or servers are no longer sufficient. OSSTMM version 3 addresses this complexity by encompassing tests across all channels, including Human, Physical, Wireless, Telecommunications, and Data Networks. This comprehensive scope makes it suitable for a wide array of environments, from cloud computing infrastructures to high-security locations.
The OSSTMM methodology (Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual) allows testers to customize their assessment to fit the specific needs or the technological context of your company. With this set of standards, you will obtain an accurate overview of your network’s cybersecurity, as well as reliable solutions adapted to your technological context to help your stakeholders make the right decisions to secure your networks.
For all matters of application security, the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) is the most recognized standard in the industry. This methodology, powered by a very well-versed community that stays on top of the latest technologies, has helped countless organizations to curb application vulnerabilities.
This framework provides a set of methodologies used for web application penetration testing, mobile application penetration testing, API penetration testing, and even IoT penetration testing. Using the OWASP as a testing methodology can not only help identify vulnerabilities commonly found within modern applications, but also complicated logic flaws that stem from unsafe development practices. The frequently updated guide provides comprehensive guidelines for each penetration testing method, including a series of steps and assessments to perform, allowing testers to identify vulnerabilities within a wide variety of functionalities found in modern applications today.
With the help of the OWASP methodology, organizations are better equipped to secure their applications – web and mobile alike – from common mistakes that can have a potentially critical impact on their business. Organizations looking to develop new web and mobile applications should also consider incorporating these standards during their development phase to avoid introducing common security flaws.
OWASP Top 10: The OWASP Web Top 10 serves as the go-to guide for web application security. This list encapsulates the most critical web application security risks such as Injection Flaws, Broken Authentication, Sensitive Data Exposure, and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).
OWASP Mobile Top 10: The OWASP Mobile Top 10 addresses the unique challenges in mobile application security, ensuring robust defense mechanisms against mobile-specific vulnerabilities.. It covers risks like Insecure Data Storage, Insecure Communication, and Insecure Authentication.
OWASP API Top 10: The OWASP API Top 10 targets the security of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), crucial for modern software communication. It highlights risks such as Broken Object Level Authorization, Excessive Data Exposure, and Injection.
OWASP IoT Top 10: The OWASP IoT Top 10 is tailored to the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, concentrating on vulnerabilities like Weak, Guessable, or Hardcoded Passwords, Insecure Ecosystem Interfaces, and Lack of Secure Update Mechanism.
OWASP LLM App Top 10: Securing Large Language Models The OWASP LLM App Top 10, a recent addition, focuses on security concerns specific to Large Language Models (LLMs) applications. It encompasses risks such as Data Poisoning, Inference Attacks, and Bias and Fairness issues.
The MITRE ATT&CK framework has become a cornerstone in understanding modern security threats, allowing security professionals to replicate attacker techniques. This framework assists organizations in identifying vulnerabilities and developing tailored counter-measures:
The MITRE ATT&CK framework has become a cornerstone in understanding modern security threats, allowing security professionals to replicate attacker techniques. This framework assists organizations in identifying vulnerabilities and developing tailored counter-measures.
