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At many enterprises, day-to-day operations rely heavily on cloud infrastructure. The market for Amazon Web Services and other IaaS platforms has nearly doubled in only a few years. Countless businesses use cloud-based SaaS applications, which generate almost $400 billion in annual revenue. With increasing cyber threats, how can your business effectively identify and address data vulnerabilities? Is penetration testing or vulnerability scanning a more effective solution?
Penetration testing and vulnerability scanning are similar concepts in cybersecurity, but they’re not the same thing. Vulnerability scanning is a broadly focused defensive technique. In comparison, penetration testing is an offensive program. It’s more targeted and intensive.
True, both processes have the same objective: to identify weaknesses in your organization’s data security and help you take corrective action. The main difference between vulnerability scanning and penetration testing is how they locate risks and cybersecurity failures.
It’s easier to understand the difference if you think of a doctor’s visit. Vulnerability assessments are like your regular appointments, with the doctor providing a thorough but general checkup. Penetration tests are more like EKG stress tests for the heart. The doctor observes your vitals while you huff and puff on a stationary bike.
A vulnerability scan is a diagnostic process that analyzes your organization’s network, computer systems, and data assets, looking for weaknesses and creating a list of potential vulnerabilities. Automated cybersecurity tools perform the scanning process and create a detailed report. Third-party cybersecurity organizations outline the findings as part of the vulnerability assessment.
In some ways, vulnerability scans are like antivirus tools, but instead of checking for malicious files, the program seeks out cybersecurity red flags. Outdated app versions, incorrectly configured firewalls, weak passwords, unsecured admin-level controls, and potentially dangerous file systems are a few examples of vulnerabilities that may be identified in the report.
Vulnerability assessments typically focus on five areas:
The finalized vulnerability assessment usually organizes detected issues into risk categories based on severity. This helps your company prioritize critical threats ASAP, correct high-severity risks, and take steps to mitigate other issues. For scans to be comprehensive, third-party consultants should customize the scope of the assessment to your unique operational and network environment.
Penetration testing is also known as ethical hacking. During a pen test, a team of cybersecurity professionals attempts to find and exploit network vulnerabilities to hack into your system and gain access to data. The purpose of this process is to test your defenses, plug vulnerabilities, and strengthen your organization’s cybersecurity posture.
Pen tests are simulated cyberattacks. They don’t damage your network or steal your data, but they do carefully test potential attack vectors and access points. The process can change depending on the size of your organization, but it usually involves these steps:
One of the most valuable aspects of regular pen testing is its real-world focus. They show which vulnerabilities are most likely to lead to a data breach or ransomware attack. That way, you can target your IT budget squarely where it does the most good to enhance your defense strategy.
One of the biggest differences between pen testing and vulnerability assessments is that one method is active and the other is passive.
| Vulnerability Scan | Penetration Test | |
| Objective | Detect vulnerabilities and organize risks by threat level | Look for critical vulnerabilities, exploit them, and determine the impact on company data |
| Process | Automated scanning and evalutation | Detailed system analysis, attack planning, hack execution, and follow-up report |
| Scope | Wide | Targeted |
| Method | AI and software-driven | Human-driven ethical hacking, including phishing, privilege escalation, etc. |
| Frequency | Very frequent (weekly to quarterly) | Periodic(annually) |
Many enterprises integrate vulnerability scanning tools into ongoing cybersecurity programs. Platforms like Compyl support continuous compliance, allowing for real-time threat assessments, system evaluations, logging, and other vulnerability checks. This passive defense helps you stay ahead of evolving dangers.
Major cyberattacks happen every month of the year, and they don’t discriminate by industry or organization size. Ransomware attacks have crippled hospitals and healthcare organizations. System vulnerabilities have damaged airlines, SaaS supply chains, and financial organizations.
Regular vulnerability scans and pen tests are a vital part of cybersecurity hygiene. Mapping data inventory and safeguarding network assets correctly is especially important for enterprise-level organizations and companies with multiple locations, hybrid cloud computing, remote workers, or strict compliance requirements.
Many cybersecurity frameworks require ongoing vulnerability scans and penetration tests. To be PCI DSS compliant, all merchants must have an Approved Scanning Vendor conduct a vulnerability scan every three months. According to PCI DSS Requirement 11.3, annual penetration testing is also mandatory.
Other frameworks that require penetration testing and vulnerability scans include HITRUST (HIPAA requires scanning), ISO 27001, NIST 800-171, and CMMC Level 2 and above.
If you want to follow cybersecurity best practices, deciding between penetration testing vs. vulnerability scanning is not the right approach. Both processes are essential to keep your network infrastructure safe. Want to enhance your cybersecurity strategy? Discover how Compyl’s powerful automated tools can strengthen your risk and compliance framework today.
