Penetration testing (pen testing) is the practice of evaluating a computer system, network, or application to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could be exploited by an attacker. Many industries are required by law to conduct regular penetration testing, including healthcare, finance and government. As the number of cyber security threats has exploded in the last three years, some truly innovative forms of pen testing have come to market and are surprisingly affordable. So many companies are electing to use pen testing on a regular basis to minimize vulnerabilities and ensure optimal performance.
Penetration testing can be classified into three types based on the level of knowledge the tester has about the target system: Blackbox, Graybox, and Whitebox.
Blackbox
Blackbox penetration testing is when the tester has no prior knowledge about the system, and they approach the target system as an external attacker. The goal of blackbox testing is to simulate a real-world attack scenario, where the attacker has no inside information about the system. It includes application testing, third party vendor security and testing security controls.
Graybox
Graybox testing is when the tester has partial knowledge of the target system, such as access credentials or some knowledge of the system’s architecture. It is often conducted after a security incident has occurred to identify vulnerabilities including application and security controls testing.
Whitebox
Whitebox testing is when the tester has complete knowledge of the target system, including access to the source code, architecture diagrams, and internal documentation. Like the Blackbox and Graybox, it examines application and security controls testing.
Deciding Factors
The choice of which method to use depends on the goals of the testing and the level of knowledge the tester has about the system being tested. Blackbox testing is useful for identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker with no prior knowledge of the system. Graybox testing is useful for identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker who has some level of knowledge of the system. Whitebox testing is useful for identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker with a deep understanding of the system’s internal workings.
Not all pen testing providers can meet your compliance requirements. It is important to work with a seasoned technology consultant who can help you identify your compliance and security needs and who has access to a wide range of top-tier pen testing providers.
