Penetration testing is a great step towards enhancing the security of your computer systems. But the question is whether to go for manual penetration testing or automated penetration testing. This blog helps you understand the key differences so you can decide what works best for your needs.
What is Automated Penetration Testing?
Automated pen testing is a type of pen testing where one uses sophisticated software solutions to carry out various tasks involved in the process, such as scanning the systems for weaknesses, simulating cyber-attacks, etc. The automated procedure provides more accuracy and efficiency in pen testing. There are specialized tools available today to perform automated pen testing on networks, apps, and local systems.
Advantages of Automated Penetration Testing
More value for money
Compared to manual pen testing, automated pen testing is much more cost-effective. It requires very little financial investment. .
Periodical testing possibility
Automated pen testing tools can be scheduled to run tests periodically. If you require continuous monitoring of security, this approach helps.
Less manual intervention needed
Automated pen testing demands minimum human testers for routine checks. You don’t have to wait for the convenience of skilled professionals.
Feasible to process large volumes of data
Automated tools are designed to handle a large volume of data and multiple systems simultaneously and ensure comprehensive coverage.
Quickly executable
Businesses can execute pen testing with automated tools quickly. Even for scanning entire systems, it takes only a fraction of the time.
Immediate identification of loopholes
With an automated pen testing approach, quick detection of vulnerabilities is possible. The tools scan the systems and provide instant feedback.
Easy to integrate into security evaluation
These tools can easily fit into existing security frameworks and improve your overall security assessment efficiency.
Gradual improvement is possible
Organizations can use automated pen testing results to make incremental security enhancements and thus build a stronger defense against threats.
What is Manual Penetration Testing?
Manual penetration testing involves skilled professionals manually performing the penetration testing. They scan each system or data piece manually and individually to identify loopholes and give you feedback about your IT infrastructure’s security posture.
Advantages of Manual Penetration Testing
Uses different methods and tools
In manual pen testing, the testers use a variety of techniques and tools to adapt their approach after evaluating specific systems and the potential vulnerabilities these systems might be susceptible to.
Incorporates pivot attack methods
Manual pen testing involves testers performing pivot attacks to exploit one system to identify vulnerabilities in other systems. In this process, they simulate multiple real-world attack scenarios for accurate security assessment.
Effective for strong security assessment
Since there is a detailed evaluation of potential security challenges, manual pen testing is said to be more effective in identifying complex vulnerabilities, which automated tools might often fail to scan.
Thorough testing of all security layers
Cybersecurity is often assessed by the degree of security visible in seven different layers. In the manual approach, all these levels are examined in detail. Therefore, you can be assured that no vulnerabilities are missed.
Finds even the most elusive weaknesses
Automated scans are known to miss extremely elusive vulnerability cases. Human testers, being aware of this risk, can give special attention to them with their creativity and intuition and uncover them
Effectively reduces false alarms
In most instances, manual testing is proved to be more effective in minimizing false positives, as in this approach, vulnerability verification happens before reporting them. This means only genuine threats are flagged for remediation.
Gives an overview of security health
Manual pen testing promises to offer a more comprehensive overview of an organization’s security status. This way, organizations can get a precise view of their existing vulnerabilities and how effective their current defenses are.
| Mode | Automated Penetration Testing | Manual Penetration Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | The scope is limited to scanning and identifying known vulnerabilities only. | The scope is high and limitless to the extent of exploring the latest, intricate vulnerabilities. |
| Methodology | Specially designed software programs are launched to scan the system to detect loopholes. | Experienced IT experts scan the systems relying on their creativity, intuition, and trained techniques. |
| Appropriateness | Recommended for running basic or initial-level scans or general pen testing for a huge number of systems for common vulnerabilities. | Recommended for conducting thorough and detailed vulnerability assessments, especially when there is the risk of the latest or emerging threat cases. |
| Process Pace | The process runs at a rapid speed and covers a large volume of data, networks, and systems in a fraction of the time. | Much slower compared to the automated method. Testers manually assess each system or dataset. |
| Expertise Required | Low level of technical proficiency required. Once the tools are launched, they run without human intervention till the process is completed. | Demands well-trained and experienced experts in cybersecurity, especially those familiar with manual penetration testing tools. |
| Cost | Since limited manpower is involved and several open-source automated penetration testing tools are available, it is much cheaper. | Multiple numbers of experienced and skilled professionals are needed, which makes it an expensive procedure. |
| Cost | Since limited manpower is involved and several open-source automated penetration testing tools are available, it is much cheaper. | Multiple numbers of experienced and skilled professionals are needed, which makes it an expensive procedure. |
| Progress Update | Reports are generated automatically on the test cases with insights into the nature of the vulnerabilities that have been identified. | Reports are manually created by the tester detailing how they carried out the exploitation steps. Usually includes remediation procedures. |
| Precision | Susceptible to multiple instances of false alarms. Frequently miss the latest and intricate security loopholes. | No intricate issues are overlooked since experts known to such issues carefully scan them. Also, less likelihood of false alarms. |
Conclusion
Both manual and automated penetration testing have their upsides and downsides. The effectiveness of using either of them depends on the nature of your IT infrastructure. So, rather than choosing one approach, it is recommended to use both concurrently so you are able to enjoy the advantages of both in improving your security posture.
Frequently Asked Questions
A penetration tester relies on manual methods and techniques to assess vulnerabilities and conduct threat simulations, whereas an automation tester uses automation tools for scanning and threat evaluation and, in some cases, simulations.
Automated penetration testing is accurate in scanning, detecting, and doing vulnerability tests against known threat cases. However, they don’t promise precision when it comes to the latest threats.
No. Automated penetration testing tools lack efficiency in working around intricate and evolving threat scenarios. However, they are proven to be good at dealing with existing threat cases. Ideally, automation tools need to be programmed by human experts.
Yes. Manual penetration testing is recommended for every business model, irrespective of which industry they belong to. Cyberattacks are not limited to any specific industry these days. They are reported from almost all industries.
In manual unit testing, human testers actively check codes, whereas automated unit testing uses scripts to run tests quickly without relying on human intervention.
