?? Penetration Testing Methodologies: A Comprehensive Guide

Penetration testing (pentesting) is a crucial aspect of cybersecurity, helping organizations identify vulnerabilities before attackers do. But how do we conduct a structured pentest? That’s where standardized methodologies come in! ??

Let’s break down some of the most recognized penetration testing frameworks and methodologies, answering what, why, when, and how for each.

1?? NIST Cybersecurity Framework ???

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a cybersecurity framework that includes five core functions:

?? Identify – Understand risks, assets, and vulnerabilities.

?? Protect – Implement safeguards (firewalls, encryption, IAM, etc.).

?? Detect – Monitor systems for potential threats.

?? Respond – Plan for incident response.

?? Recover – Restore operations after an attack.

Why NIST?

? Provides a well-structured approach for risk management.

? Used by organizations of all sizes.

? Helps align cybersecurity with business objectives.

How is NIST Used in Pentesting?

Pentesters follow NIST guidelines to assess security controls, test response plans, and provide risk-based reports.

2?? OSSTMM 3: Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual ??

OSSTMM focuses on scientific security testing based on measurable results.

Key Components

?? Security Operations Testing (Information, Physical, and Human Security)

?? Risk Assessment & Metrics (Trust, Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)

?? Testing across multiple layers: Physical, Wireless, Internet, and Compliance

Why OSSTMM?

? Provides quantifiable security metrics.

? Focuses on operational security rather than just vulnerabilities.

? Covers multiple domains, including human and physical security.

How is OSSTMM Used in Pentesting?

OSSTMM provides structured methodologies for testing how secure a system is rather than just whether it is vulnerable.

3?? CREST – Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers ??

CREST is a globally recognized accreditation body that certifies penetration testers and organizations.

Why CREST?

? Ensures standardized testing methodologies.

? Used by governments and enterprises globally.

? Provides professional certifications for pentesters.

How is CREST Used in Pentesting?

CREST-approved pentesting follows strict methodologies for testing network, web, and application security while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

4?? PTES – Penetration Testing Execution Standard ??

PTES provides a step-by-step approach for conducting penetration tests.

Phases of PTES:

?? Pre-engagement Interactions

?? Intelligence Gathering

?? Threat Modeling

?? Vulnerability Analysis

?? Exploitation

?? Post Exploitation

?? Reporting

Why PTES?

? Covers the entire pentesting lifecycle.

? Helps in developing a structured pentesting approach.

? Widely accepted across industries.

How is PTES Used in Pentesting?

Security teams use PTES to define engagement scope, test systematically, and document findings.

5?? MITRE ATT&CK ??

MITRE ATT&CK is a knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world attack scenarios.

Why MITRE ATT&CK?

? Helps simulate real-world attack scenarios.

? Maps attacker behaviors to specific tactics (objectives) and techniques (methods).

? Used in Red Teaming and threat hunting.

How is MITRE ATT&CK Used in Pentesting?

Pentesters use ATT&CK to align testing strategies with real-world threats and provide better threat emulation.

6?? OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) ??

OWASP focuses on securing web applications.

Key Projects:

?? OWASP Top 10 – The most critical web security risks.

?? OWASP ASVS – Application Security Verification Standard.

?? OWASP Testing Guide – A guide for structured web pentesting.

OWASP Top 10 (2021)

?? A01:2021 - Broken Access Control

?? A02:2021 - Cryptographic Failures

?? A03:2021 - Injection ?? A04:2021 - Insecure Design

?? A05:2021 - Security Misconfiguration

?? A06:2021 - Vulnerable and Outdated Components

?? A07:2021 - Identification and Authentication Failures

?? A08:2021 - Software and Data Integrity Failures

?? A09:2021 - Security Logging and Monitoring Failures

?? A10:2021 - Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

Why OWASP?

? Essential for web security testing.

? Recognized across the industry.

? Provides community-driven security standards.

How is OWASP Used in Pentesting?

Pentesters use OWASP guidelines to test web applications for security flaws like SQL Injection, XSS, and authentication bypasses.

7?? Purdue Model for ICS Security ??

The Purdue Model is used for Industrial Control System (ICS) Security, breaking down an organization’s network into layers.

Levels of Purdue Model:

?? Level 0 – Physical Process

?? Level 1 – Control Systems (PLCs, RTUs)

?? Level 2 – Supervisory Controls (HMI, SCADA)

?? Level 3 – Operations Management (Historian, Engineering)

?? Level 4 & 5 – Enterprise & Business IT Networks

Why Purdue Model?

? Helps secure critical infrastructure (power plants, factories, etc.).

? Ensures segmentation of IT and OT networks.

? Prevents attacks on industrial systems.

How is the Purdue Model Used in Pentesting?

Pentesters use Purdue Model to assess ICS/SCADA environments and identify network segmentation vulnerabilities.

8?? OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) ??

OSCP is one of the most respected penetration testing certifications, focused on hands-on offensive security skills.

What Does OSCP Cover?

?? Exploitation techniques (Buffer Overflows, Web Exploits, Privilege Escalation)

?? Manual Testing – No automated scanners allowed.

?? Report Writing – Documenting findings effectively.

Why OSCP?

? Recognized worldwide in cybersecurity.

? Tests real-world penetration testing skills.

? Requires practical hands-on hacking abilities.

How is OSCP Used in Pentesting?

OSCP-certified testers apply manual and creative attack strategies to conduct thorough security assessments.

Conclusion

Choosing the right penetration testing methodology depends on your goals, environment, and security needs. Whether you’re testing web apps (OWASP), networks (PTES, NIST, CREST), or industrial systems (Purdue Model), these frameworks help ensure structured and effective pentesting. ???

?? Which methodology do you use in your pentests? Let’s discuss in the comments! ????