The Generator Hub, The Gallery, Kings Wharf, Exeter, EX2 4AN
01392 703 303
[email protected]

Penetration testing vs vulnerability scanning

Penetration testing (pen testing) and vulnerability scanning are both essential for a robust cybersecurity strategy. However, despite serving different purposes and involving different methodologies, there is often confusion between the two. Read on to discover the differences and understand why a vulnerability scan is not a penetration test.

In short, a vulnerability scan is an automated, high-level test that searches for and reports on weaknesses and security issues. A penetration test is a detailed investigation by a real person to detect and exploit weaknesses. It’s a belt and braces approach to cyber security.

Let’s explore further.

Vulnerability scanning

Purpose: Vulnerability scanning involves the automated process of identifying potential vulnerabilities in a system, network, or application. It aims to discover known security weaknesses such as outdated software versions, misconfigurations, or missing patches.

Methodology: Vulnerability scanners use predefined databases of known vulnerabilities and attempt to detect issues by scanning the target environment. They typically produce reports detailing the identified vulnerabilities and their severity levels.

Timing: Depending on the infrastructure, a vulnerability scan can be completed within a few hours, and as it’s an automated process, it doesn’t require manual input. 

Benefits: Vulnerability scanning is relatively quick, efficient and can be automated. It provides organisations with a snapshot of their security posture and helps prioritise remediation efforts.

Penetration testing

Purpose: Penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, involves simulating real-world cyber attacks to evaluate the security of an organisation’s systems, networks, or applications. The aim is to identify vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit and assess the effectiveness of existing security controls.

Methodology: Penetration testers, often skilled cybersecurity professionals, employ various techniques to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in the target environment. The process may involve manual testing, automated tools, and social engineering. Unlike vulnerability scanning, penetration testing goes beyond identifying vulnerabilities and demonstrates how someone could exploit them in a real attack scenario.

Timing: A penetration test is an in-depth analysis requiring manual and automated input, so it takes more time than a vulnerability scan. 

Benefits: Penetration testing provides a more in-depth analysis of an organisation’s security posture than vulnerability scanning. It helps uncover complex or subtle vulnerabilities that automated tools may miss and offers valuable insights into potential security risks. The penetration report includes recommendations on remediation measures to fix the vulnerabilities.

In summary, vulnerability scanning is a cyber security practice that provides insight into an organisation’s network security. However, it should be used in conjunction with penetration testing as part of a defence-in-depth strategy.

For further guidance, you might find the following resources from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) helpful: