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VAPT in cyber security

Difference between WAPT and VAPT
VAPT Services

What is the Difference between WAPT and VAPT?

Cybersecurity is important for all organizations as cyber threats are relentlessly evolving and becoming more sophisticated. Different businesses cover up digital assets, for instance, they perform Web Application Penetration Testing (WAPT) and Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT). Both methodologies try to find and eliminate security vulnerabilities with different aims, scopes, and executions. Qualysec Technologies is here to discuss what are the differences between WAPT and VAPT, their methods, benefits, and what is the role of VAPT and WAPT in a secure cyber system. What is WAPT and VAPT? VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing) is a Cyber security process that is used to evaluate the level of security of an organization’s entire IT infrastructure. Vulnerability scanning and pen testing are part of it to identify and eliminate threats on the networks, applications, and systems. VAPT in turn includes WAPT (Web Application Penetration Testing) for web applications to spot vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, XSS, and CSRF. VAPT does a wider security analysis that only WAPT is tailored for web security. WAPT (Web Application Penetration Testing) Web Application Penetration Testing (WAPT) is a specialty in the security assessment area to find the vulnerabilities in web applications. Web Applications are almost prime targets for hackers and WAPT seeks to find flaws that would allow the hacker to get sensitive data, disrupt services, or access data without authorization. Important Points for WAPT (Web Application Penetration Testing) Web Application Penetration Testing (WAPT) is a security testing methodology which is used to evaluate the vulnerabilities in a web application. Since web applications are being pursued as a priority target by cyber criminals, WAPT envisages the position of utmost crucial tool in conception of security and data privacy. Below are the main items from WAPT: Scope WAPT has a singular focus on web applications, which are websites, web portals, web API, and virtual web services. While wider security evaluation, WAPT does not evaluate networks, servers, or mobile apps. This tool is primarily designed to locate security vulnerabilities in web-based systems that hackers could breach even when they are applied on your business. Testing Methodology WAPT utilizes structured methodology which covers automated & manual web application security testing techniques to identify web vulnerabilities. The testing methodology typically includes: Common Vulnerabilities Identified WAPT can automatically discover most known security vulnerabilities such as: Tools Used for WAPT Several specialized tools assist the security practitioner in successfully conducting WAPT. Some of the frequently used WAPT tools are: Compliance and Regulatory Requirements Why Businesses Need Both WAPT and VAPT The digital world is scary for several reasons – among them are more sophisticated cybersecurity threats. Many security assessments are needed by businesses, two among which are Web Application Penetration Testing (WAPT) and Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT). The two approaches differ in their purpose of identifying security weaknesses, and yet both of these approaches target to identify security weaknesses. Combined use of WAPT and VAPT will keep a company’s security posture strong, provide for compliance requirements and will prevent financial losses resulting from cyber threats. Comprehensive Security Coverage WAPT is focused on web applications providing us with a way to find security flaws like SQL injection, Cross Site Scripting (XSS), Cross Site Request Forgery (CSRF), etc, and also misconfigurations. However, cyber threats are not limited to cyber threats related to web applications. Network vulnerabilities, system misconfiguration, open ports, weak authentication mechanisms, and unpatched software are all used by attackers to gain unauthorized access into the network. Whereas VAPT broadens the security assessment compared to web application security, it also includes assessing security in the networks, mobile applications, servers, cloud infrastructure, among other things. Running both WAPT and VAPT combined helps businesses to assess all possible attack vectors and reduce the security risks to the maximum, and assure the business. Strengthened Compliance and Regulatory Adherence In industries like finance, healthcare, e-commerce, SaaS, the businesses must obey strict security regulations such as PCI DSS, GDPR, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and SOC 2. Companies are made to test for regular security testing such as vulnerability assessments and penetration testing under regulatory frameworks. However, WAPT is required in order to meet compliance for web application security (e.g. OWASP Top 10). It is essential to comply with broader network, server and system security standards, VAPT has passed thorough levels for industry regulations. So businesses can better implement compliance requirements without penalties, legal issues and damage to their reputation by implementing both WAPT and VAPT. Enhanced Threat Detection and Prevention Attacks involve advanced techniques as cybercriminals are prone to find, exploit and cause losses for businesses, which is why businesses must actively detect and eliminate vulnerabilities before attackers recognize them. VAPT on the other hand detects system-wide risks such as – By combining both of them, the chance of data breaches and service disruptions is also minimized as even the most hidden security flaws are identified and mitigated. Improved Incident Response and Risk Mitigation It is no longer an option for a reactive cybersecurity approach – how it takes place if an attack occurs. To prevent and advise how to act in case of an incident, businesses have to be proactive. WAPT assists security teams to patch web app security testing before they are exploited. With VAPT, an organization gets a complete picture of its security posture and knows what the high risk vulnerabilities are and can prioritize to address them. Once both assessments are put in place in most businesses, they can now develop effective risk mitigation plans that help minimize the financial and operational impact of cyberattacks. Maintaining Brand Reputation and Trust of the Customer Losing a customer’s trust, or one significant loss may cause big losses in terms of money, future of the business, and the reputation. It is frustrating when businesses fail to protect customers’ data, as they expect businesses to keep their data secure and failing to protect their data will bring erosion to their brand and loss of business opportunities. Businesses integrating both WAPT and VAPT into their cybersecurity

Network VAPT The Ultimate Guide to Benefits and Process
Network VAPT

Network VAPT: The Ultimate Guide to Benefits and Process

Network VAPT is a security evaluation process where experts test user networks to find vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. The main goal of network VAPT (vulnerability assessment and penetration testing) is to find security flaws in networks, systems, hosts, and network devices that hackers can use for unauthorized access and data breaches. As per research by GlobeNewswire, cybercrime costs will reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Around 43% of these cyberattacks happen on the organization’s network. With roughly 2,200 attacks every day, it is inevitable to secure the main component of the IT infrastructure – the network. Therefore, in this blog, we are going to discuss how network VAPT is the best solution to prevent attacks on the network and its components. Additionally, we will offer tips to help you choose the best network VAPT provider. What is Network VAPT? Network VAPT is conducted to identify exploitable vulnerabilities in networks and systems to help reduce or mitigate security risks. Network components like firewalls and access points are thoroughly tested to reduce the potential attack surface and prevent unauthorized access. Once the base layer of the network is protected and proper security measures are implemented, the risk of the top layers is also automatically reduced. Since every digital asset (applications and APIs) is connected to the network, a breach in its infrastructure can make everything vulnerable. Network penetration testing involves using specialized tools and techniques to discover security vulnerabilities in the network that can lead to cyberattacks. After identifying all vulnerabilities, the testing team then recommends possible solutions. As a result, organizations can quickly address them and secure their network perimeter.   Benefits of Network VAPT in Cyber Security VAPT Network provides enough details on security issues for developers or security officers to address them before they cause big problems. However, this is not the only benefit. Here are a few reasons why VAPT in cyber security is important for businesses:   1. Identify Network Configuration Issues By conducting network VAPT, you can detect misconfigurations in the network architecture that could be exploited by attackers. For example, incorrect firewall measures might allow unauthorized access, or sometimes default network settings might leave it open for attacks. VAPT in networking helps identify such issues and helps strengthen the overall network security posture. 2. Detect Unauthorized Devices VAPT scans the entire network and identifies any unauthorized devices connected. This prevents malicious devices from accessing sensitive data. For example, attackers might connect an unauthorized device to the network port, which will give them access to the internal systems. 3. Check Firewall Protocols The job of a firewall is to block unauthorized access and allow legitimate traffic. Network VAPT tests the firewall’s configuration and optimizes its performance and security. VAPT includes simulating various attacks on the firewall to check if it can block them. 4. Identify Vulnerable Network Services VAPT pinpoints vulnerable services running on network devices. As a result, it helps organizations to update or disable these services to enhance network security. This is because an outdated version of a network service might have known vulnerabilities that attackers can take advantage of. 5. Strengthen Remote Access Security With the rise of remote working conditions after the pandemic, it is more essential now to test network security. VAPT also tests the security of VPNs and other remote access solutions to secure remote access. It identifies weaknesses in VPN configurations or outdated encryption protocols to ensure remote connections cannot be easily intercepted by attackers. 6. Protection Against DoS Attacks A Denial of Service (DoS) attack is when the attacker disrupts the business by flooding the network of an organization with traffic. Network VAPT in cyber security helps identify those vulnerabilities that could be exploited for DoS attacks. These vulnerabilities may include inadequate bandwidth or unoptimized network configurations. 7. Ensure Compliance Many industries make it mandatory for organizations to test the security of the networks that store sensitive user data, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, etc. Non-compliance with these rules would result in fines and legal problems. Network VAPT helps companies comply with these regulations by thoroughly testing the network and its components. 8. Enhance Network Monitoring The VAPT report can be used to improve network monitoring and logging. Better monitoring helps in detecting and responding to security incidents early. By identifying gaps in the current monitoring measures, VAPT recommends implementing more comprehensive monitoring solutions. As a result, this ensures any unusual or suspicious activities are effectively detected and addressed. 9. Build Customer trust A secure network builds trust among the users/customers. When the users feel confident that their data is safe, it enhances their loyalty. VAPT finds those security flaws that may lead to data breaches. By showing the world you prioritize customer data safety, you are not only securing your business but attracting more customers. What are the Steps Involved in VAPT Network VAPT mostly has 3 phases – pre-assessment, assessment, and post-assessment. Here is the brief network VAPT process: 1. Information Gathering The 1st step involves the testing team collecting relevant information about the target systems, such as domain names, network architecture, IP addresses, and technologies in use. This information helps them understand the potential attack surface and entry points. 2. Planning/Scoping The next step involves defining the goals and identifying the scope of the test. Here the testing team outlines which tools and techniques will be used and which vulnerabilities they are going to target. This gives a brief idea to the client of what to expect from the test. 3. Automated Vulnerability Scanning This step includes using automated tools to scan and analyze the target network and systems for known vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit. For example, weak configurations, outdated software, and other common vulnerabilities. 4. Manual Penetration Testing In the 4th step, expert pen testers or “ethical hackers” perform manual penetration testing. They use manual techniques to detect vulnerabilities missed by the tools and exploit the found vulnerabilities. The goal is to simulate real cyberattacks to understand the resilience

Difference Between Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing
Cyber Crime, VAPT

Difference Between Vulnerability Assessment (VA) & Penetration Testing (PT)

Keeping the user’s data safe from cyber attackers is important. There are two ways to check for vulnerabilities. These assessments are known as vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. The difference between VA and PT (vulnerability assessment and penetration testing ) is that vulnerability assessment only identifies potential vulnerabilities. In contrast, penetration testing identifies vulnerabilities and provides insight into how these vulnerabilities might affect the network. Conducting these assessments is necessary, as these provide insight into threats and vulnerabilities. Vulnerability assessments help the company to find areas that need to be fixed or strengthened. Penetration testing shows the firm how serious those vulnerabilities are and what could happen if they are not addressed. This blog provides a comprehensive guide on the differences between vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. What is Vulnerability Assessment? Vulnerability assessment involves cybersecurity experts using automated tools to find potential vulnerabilities. Thereby providing an analysis of the current security strengths and suggesting methods to improve them. Vulnerability scanners like Burp Suite and Nmap have a fixed script, which is used to find known vulnerabilities. Despite being a quick method to find security vulnerabilities, this assessment doesn’t go deep into the application and may generate false positives. What is Penetration Testing? Penetration testing is a comprehensive testing process that involves ethical hackers, who manually try to find vulnerabilities that can be a potential threat to the application or network. Cybersecurity experts or ethical hackers use their hacking skills to test the system for each vulnerability. They also check how its security responds. if the experts successfully penetrate, then it’s a security flaw. These security issues are then documented and given to the company to rectify. Penetration testing is important for businesses, as they are prone to cyber-attacks if their security system is weak or not strong enough. With a cyberattack, the entire operation of the business can be affected. This can also affect the sensitive information stored on the business computer systems. Do you want to see a penetration testing report? Click the link below and check how the details of a pentest report can help with your business’s success! Latest Penetration Testing Report Download Vulnerability Assessment Vs Penetration Testing (VA/PT) Aspect Vulnerability Assessment (VA) Penetration Testing (PT) Purpose Identifies potential weaknesses and vulnerabilities in systems and networks Actively attempts to find and exploit vulnerabilities in the given system Approach Uses automated scanning tools to detect vulnerabilities Employs ethical hackers to simulate real-world attacks to find vulnerabilities Main Goal Find vulnerabilities for remediation Find vulnerabilities, assess their impact level, and provide remediation methods Frequency Typically done more frequently More comprehensive but resource-intensive. Done less frequently Result Provides a list of vulnerabilities to be addressed Provides a realistic assessment of the security posture and potential security issues of the given system Different Types of Penetration Testing   Different Modes of Penetration Testing Mode Description Knowledge Level Blackbox The tester has no prior knowledge of the target system’s internal workings, design, or infrastructure. They approach it as an external attacker would, with no information. Zero knowledge of the system Whitebox The tester has complete knowledge and access to the target system’s source code, architecture, and internal details. They approach it from an insider’s perspective. Full knowledge and access to the system Grey box The tester has partial knowledge and access to the target system’s internal details, such as network diagrams, software versions, or specific documentation. They combine elements of both black-box and white-box testing. Partial or limited knowledge of the system VA/PT Compliance Regulations Regulation/Standard Industry/Purpose Role of VAPT PCI DSS Payment Card Industry, handling payment card data Identify and resolve vulnerabilities to comply with PCI DSS rules. Thus, ensuring secure transactions and protecting data. HIPAA Healthcare sector, protecting patient information Identify and address vulnerabilities that could affect patient information, ensuring confidentiality. GDPR Processing personal data of EU citizens Identify and mitigate security risks, and also ensure compliance with GDPR’s data protection and privacy requirements. ISO 27001 Information Security Management Systems Identify vulnerabilities and implement security controls to achieve and maintain ISO 27001 certification for information security best practices. Why should someone conduct VA/PT services? VAPT Services Description Identify Security Weaknesses VA and PT help identify vulnerabilities in systems, networks, apps, and infrastructure that could be exploited by attackers, allowing organizations to address these weaknesses proactively. Evaluate Security Defenses PT simulates real-world attacks to evaluate the effectiveness of an organization’s security defenses and how well they can withstand and respond to cyber threats. Compliance and Regulatory Requirements Many industries and regulations like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR mandate regular VA and PT as part of their security and compliance requirements. Risk Management VA and PT services help organizations understand their actual risk level and the potential impact of successful cyber attacks. It is crucial for effective risk management and prioritizing security investments. Secure New Systems and Applications When implementing new systems, apps, or infrastructure, VA and PT can identify vulnerabilities and security gaps before production deployment, ensuring a secure implementation. Stay Ahead of Emerging Threats VA and PT services help organizations stay ahead of new attack vectors and vulnerabilities, ensuring their security measures remain effective against evolving cyber threats. Improve Security Posture Regular VA and PT help organizations continuously improve their overall security posture, reducing the risk of data breaches, system compromises, and other cyber incidents. Conclusion In today’s cyber threat landscape, the question isn’t whether to do vulnerability assessments and penetration testing (VAPT). It is about which VAPT option best suits your needs. A comprehensive VAPT program with continuous scanning not only fortifies security but also fosters a security-first mindset. Also, it maintains compliance and builds customer trust. When choosing a VAPT provider, look beyond the basics. Evaluate their scanning capabilities, industry-specific experience, methodologies, and team expertise. While VAPT requires investment, the return on investment in protecting against cyber attacks and breaches makes it worthwhile. Qualysec has a good history of helping clients and giving cybersecurity services in many industries like IT. Their skills have helped clients find and fix

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Pabitra Kumar Sahoo

Pabitra Kumar Sahoo

COO & Cybersecurity Expert

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Pabitra Kumar Sahoo

Pabitra Kumar Sahoo

COO & Cybersecurity Expert