Are you trying to decide between Dast and Penetration Testing to protect your website? Dast (Dynamic Application Security Testing) and Penetration Testing are two approaches that are used worldwide to make sure websites are secure. They both have some similarities as well as some differences. In this article, you’ll learn more about Dast Vs Penetration Testing, allowing you to decide which approach is appropriate for your particular needs. With the right tools, Dast can offer a helpful way to detect potential vulnerabilities in web applications, while Penetration Testing tests the system for weaknesses to ensure there aren’t any security loopholes.
1. Compare and Contrast: Dast and Penetration Testing
Dast and Penetration Testing are two of the most effective tools to find security deficiencies in systems and networks. They play a crucial role in keeping our data safe online. While both methods are used to identify threats and vulnerabilities, there are some important differences between them.
Dast Testing involves testing the system from the outside, without Gaining access to the internals. It works by examining how the system reacts to malicious requests, inputs and traffic. It is used to evaluate the visibility and effectiveness of the external controls of the system, such as a web application firewall.
- Pro - Can quickly scan a large number of systems.
- Con - Cannot detect threats that require authentication, such as SQL injection.
Penetration Testing involves bypassing the perimeter defenses of a system and attempting to gain access to its internals. It works by simulating the same type of malicious attacks real-world attackers would use, such as phishing campaigns, malware injection and social engineering.
- Pro – Best for detecting internal threats such as misuse of credentials.
- Con – Requires significant time commitment and significant resources to carry out an effective test.
2. Benefits and Drawbacks of Dast and Penetration Testing
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Benefits:
- Dast and penetration testing are effective methods for improving the security of network-connected systems and data. They can identify weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors, helping businesses and organizations take proactive steps to protect their sensitive information.
- Testing can also help organizations meet industry or government-mandated compliance standards, such as those associated with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the General Data Protection Regulation.
- The tests can generally be performed quickly and inexpensively, with minimal disruption to the organization’s workflow and operations.
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Drawbacks:
- The tests can be time consuming and expensive, depending on the size and scope of the systems being assessed.
- The success of the tests depends largely on the expertise of the professionals performing them, and any errors can mean missed vulnerabilities and potential security problems.
- The tests may also produce false positives, which can lead to unnecessary or inefficient remediation efforts.
- Dast and penetration tests can create legal issues if the system owners haven’t given explicit permission for the tests to be performed.
3. Which One Should You Use: Dast or Penetration Testing?
When it comes to cyber security, two of the most common terms you’ll hear are DAST and Penetration Testing. But what’s the difference? When should you use one over the other? Let’s take a closer look!
DAST, or Dynamic Application Security Testing, is a type of automated technology used to test web applications and websites. It crawls websites, scans for vulnerabilities, and then provides solutions on how to fix those weaknesses. It does not provide information about the application itself, and gives more surface level insights into security. It is great for uncovering weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers without them having deep knowledge of the application. DAST is best used for regularly-scheduled web application scans, helping to identify newly-introduced vulnerabilities in today’s rapidly-changing internet landscape.
Penetration testing on the other hand, is a method of evaluating an organization’s security by simulating an attack in a controlled environment. The purpose of this type of test is to actively gain network access, gain access to processes, and escalate system privileges. Penetration testing is designed to identify the security vulnerabilities a malicious actor can exploit. Unlike DAST, a penetration test mimics an attack so organizations can know how they would fare if they were the target of a malicious attack. Penetration tests provide organizations with a more in-depth insight into their security landscape, and the results can be used to inform and improve security policies and procedures.
- DAST is best used for regularly-scheduled web application scans
- Penetration testing is designed to identify security vulnerabilities which can be exploited by a malicious actor
4. Technology Advancements Impacting Dast and Penetration Testing
With the fast-paced advancements of technology, digital security has become more and more important. As far as cyber security goes, dast (Dynamic Application Security Testing) and penetration testing are two major areas of focus that have seen major advancements and improvements based on technology innovations. Here are four such technology advancements that have had a major impact on dast and penetration testing:
- Cloud Computing: Cloud-based platforms for dast and penetration testing allow users to quickly and easily test applications in a cost-effective manner, without having to invest in in-house hardware.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Through AI-driven algorithms, security flaws can be identified a lot faster than before, allowing developers to fix issues quickly and stay ahead of malicious hackers.
- Containerization: With containers, it’s now possible to quickly deploy dast and penetration tests and monitor infrastructure in real-time by leveraging container technology.
- Automation: Automation in testing technologies allows dast and penetration testing to be done faster and more efficiently, while not compromising on quality.
These advancements not only improve security by quickly identifying vulnerabilities and thus preventing potential breaches, but also enable the process of testing to be completed in a shorter amount of time, as well as with less effort. Ultimately, these advancements in technology make it easier for security professionals to make sure any digital application is safe and secure to use.
Q&A
Q: What is Dast and Penetration Testing?
A: Dast and Penetration Testing are two types of computer security testing. Dast is Dynamic Application Security Testing which tests the server-side of applications for vulnerabilities. Penetration Testing is when someone tries to break into an application in order to find any weak points and security flaws.
Q: What are the benefits of using Dast and Penetration Testing?
A: Dast and Penetration Testing provide valuable insight into the security of an application, which can help keep data and information secure against attackers. Dast can quickly and accurately identify code-level vulnerabilities, while Penetration Testing tests for a more comprehensive view of the security environment.
Q: What is the difference between Dast and Penetration Testing?
A: The difference between Dast and Penetration Testing lies in the type of testing they do. Dast focuses more on software code-level vulnerabilities, while Penetration Testing is a more holistic testing approach that looks at entire networks to find weaknesses and security flaws. If you’re trying to decide between the two security testing types, DAST and Penetration Testing, both have their own advantages and disadvantages. The best solution is to create a free LogMeOnce account, which offers auto-login and Single Sign-On, and use both DAST and Penetration Testing in tandem in order to gain the full security benefits. LogMeOnce is constantly keeping their security up to date to help protect your logins, passwords and other sensitive information like credit cards and bank accounts. Visit LogMeOnce.com to get peace of mind when testing your security, and to prevent any unwelcome intrusions. Don’t wait any longer to get the full security DAST vs Penetration Testing services you need today!