Penetration testing is a crucial process for assessing the security posture of a system, network, or application. However, it can also be time-consuming, costly, and complex. How can you speed up penetration testing without sacrificing quality? Here are some tips and tools that can help you optimize your workflow and deliver faster and better results.
One of the most effective ways to speed up penetration testing is to automate the tasks that are tedious, routine, or prone to human error. For example, you can use tools like Nmap, Metasploit, or Burp Suite to scan for vulnerabilities, exploit them, or perform web application testing. Automation can also help you generate reports, document findings, and manage your projects. However, automation is not a substitute for manual testing, as it may miss some nuances, logic flaws, or contextual issues. You still need to use your skills, creativity, and judgment to verify, validate, and prioritize your findings.
Speeding up penetration testing without sacrificing quality is all about looking for inefficiencies in your workflow. One of the biggest time sinks actually has nothing to do with scanning, exploitation, etc. It's actually reporting. If you want to dramatically increase the speed at which you can complete a penetration test, first look at how you can remove redundant work in the reporting process. One great idea is to use a reporting platform that has templated findings. Something that makes it easy to point and click, add your evidence and boom you're done.
In order to accelerate penetration testing, it is important to choose the tools that are most appropriate for your objectives, scope, and environment. Depending on the type of testing you are doing, such as network, web, mobile, or cloud penetration testing, the tools you use may vary. Additionally, you must consider the compatibility, performance, reliability, and usability of the tools. When selecting the right tool for the job, you should take into account features and functions of the tool, its level of customization and configuration, its support and updates, feedback and reviews from users, as well as its cost and licensing.
To speed up penetration testing, it is essential to plan and scope your testing before you begin. This allows you to define your goals, expectations, and deliverables, as well as identify the resources, time, and budget required. Planning and scoping can also help you avoid unnecessary or out-of-scope testing, minimize the risk of errors or incidents, and ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards. To do this, you should conduct a pre-engagement meeting with the client or stakeholder, establish the rules of engagement and scope of testing, perform a reconnaissance and information gathering phase, develop a testing strategy and methodology, prepare a testing checklist and timeline.
Another way to speed up penetration testing is to leverage the existing knowledge and resources that are available to you. For example, you can use online platforms, forums, blogs, podcasts, or courses to learn new skills, techniques, or tools. You can also use online repositories, libraries, or databases to access or share useful information, scripts, or templates. You can also network with other professionals, experts, or peers to exchange tips, advice, or feedback. Leveraging existing knowledge and resources can help you improve your efficiency, quality, and creativity.
After each penetration testing project, you can review and improve your process to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as measure your performance, results, and impact. This can help you learn from your mistakes, successes, or challenges, and implement best practices. Some steps that can help you review and improve your process include conducting a post-engagement meeting with the client or stakeholder, analyzing the data and feedback collected during testing, evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of your testing, identifying areas for improvement or development, and creating an action plan with follow-up.
I am curious if using DAST within the engineering pipeline before the change goes to penetration testing can speed up the process. I think that if we surface vulnerabilities to engineers early to be empowered to fix some common problems before the change goes to pen testing can make the process overall faster. Keen to hear other opinions