Irrespective of their size, domain or purpose, every business is prone to cyber threats. Here’s a startling but important fact- The cost of data breaches reached an amount of $4.35 million in the year 2022. You must be wondering what the root cause of this is. The reality is that an ineffective security landscape and a reactive approach to risk management has led to a sharp increase in cyber incidents across the globe.
It may sound like we are stating the obvious, but protecting organizational data and infrastructure is of utmost importance – they are your most valuable assets. Considering the fact that no organization is immune, businesses need to include Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) as a part of their security activities.
VAPT refers to a variety of security assessment services that are aimed at identifying and mitigating cyber security risks.
VAPT assessments vary in terms of their scope and price. It's critical to understand the different types of VAPT services and the variations between them. To ensure that VAPT provides the best value for money, this knowledge is critical.
This blog will help you understand what VAPT is, along with its tools and techniques.
What is VAPT: A Brief Introduction
VAPT is a security test that examines an application, network, endpoint, or cloud for vulnerabilities. While they are separate activities, Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing have distinct advantages. However, they're typically used together.
Although Vulnerability Assessment (VA) and Penetration Testing (PT) are both security techniques used for detecting flaws in systems, networks, or online applications, there are some distinctions.
Vulnerability Assessment (VA) - Known Vulnerabilities:
- Examines
- Discovers
- Discloses
Deliverable: Generates a report with details of the vulnerabilities by priority and with proper categorization.
On the other hand, a Penetration Test (PT) seeks to exploit vulnerabilities to identify the points of entry and the attack surface. VA is like approaching a door and examining its flaws. Another difference is that a VA is usually automated, however PT is done by a security expert.
While vulnerability assessment is a security measure in itself, it is an equally important step while undergoing penetration testing. The process includes an active analysis of the systems for deficiencies and technical shortcomings. It is conducted from the attacker’s perspective and includes exploitation of every possible security vulnerability. After this activity, all the security issues discovered during this phase are analyzed and a risk reduction plan is proposed.
The purpose behind the measure: Why do VAPT anyway?
In the modern world, all businesses are global and thus it is imperative to comply with standards such as the GDPR, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS. It’s no longer a choice but a regulatory requirement. Data breaches and cyber incidents can invite penalties and cause irreparable damage to the brand. On the other hand, the tools, strategies and processes hackers use for breaching networks are constantly evolving. This is why it's critical to assess an organization's cyber security frequently. That’s where VAPT comes in – a powerful tool for accessing organizational security that offers insights into security flaws and their remediation.
What are the benefits of performing VAPT?
VAPT does a thorough assessment of your applications, servers and systems. It identifies faults and flaws in your security that might lead to a cyber-attack. VAPT provides a complete picture of the dangers posed to your network or application. Compliance standards necessitate the use of VAPT. It defends your company against data loss and unwanted access. It also assists in safeguarding your organizational data both externally and internally. In terms of organizational security, VAPT offers multiple benefits. Here are a few of them:
- Risk management
- Protection against malicious attacks
- Secure business from loss of reputation and money
- Recognize programming and configuration errors
- Identify potential threats
| Vulnerability Assessment Steps | Types of Penetration Testing |
|---|---|
| Set up | Network penetration testing |
| Tool Setup | Web application penetration testing |
| Vulnerability Analysis | Mobile app penetration testing |
| Reporting | API Penetration Testing |
| Remediation | Cloud Penetration testing |
Why Businesses Need VAPT
Cyber-attacks can no longer be taken lightly. Networks and websites are being compromised every day. It’s imperative that businesses step up their security posture. Towards that end, VAPT provides a powerful tool to strengthen organizational security. Here are a few more reasons why you should carry out VAPT:
Customer assurance: When your organization has a robust security system in place, you can assure your customers that their data is safe with your organization.
Stay compliant: A majority of industry standards and regulations have made VAPT a mandate. To stay compliant your organization needs to undertake VAPT.
Secure data: It is a best practice to carry out security audits. It protects organizational data and systems from potential attacks and breaches.
Validate security: Validate your security controls with Penetration testing and measure your security against real attacks.
Conclusion
Keeping your assets secure can be challenging. Don’t invest in security just because everyone else is. Make sure your data is safe. Keep your security robust and reliable to prevent attacks and recover from them quickly. VAPT testing raises the security level and protects you from cyber-attacks. Keep your assets and organization safe. Get in touch with us and get started today!