RE: What is being a pen tester really like?

From: Richard Feist (richard@bluesec.net)
Date: Wed Aug 02 2006 - 14:58:45 EDT


The question is ...

Do you then continue to check all the doors , windows and any other outlets,
the parking lot, etc, etc... Once finished, report it all back including how
/ what was checked, when and why.

And then a pen test goes from just a pen test to security assessment :-)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Weber [mailto:mweber@alliednational.com]
> Sent: 03 August 2006 00:34
> To: arian.evans@anachronic.com; pen-test@securityfocus.com
> Subject: RE: What is being a pen tester really like?
>
> Greetings, all!
>
> I don't want to wade into the issue of charlatans, but I do
> have a pretty easy to understand analogy I use to compare pen
> tests and VA's.
>
> Let's say I am a security guard at a shopping mall. My job
> is to make sure all the doors are locked as I make my rounds.
> If I walk up to a door that is unlocked and turn the handle
> but I don't enter, that's a VA. If I walk in, make sure no
> other alarms go off, and leave a note on a desk that tells
> the owner that they left their door unlocked, that's a pen test.
>
> My customers usually understand it when I move it to a
> physical security scenerio.
>
> As always, YMMV!
>
> -Michael
>
> >>>> arian.evans@anachronic.com 8/1/2006 2:57:57 PM >>>
> <snip>
> >
> >I struggle regularly to explain the difference between a
> "vulnerability
> >assessment" and a pen test, due to the fact that too many folks pimp
> >pen test offerings that are just automated VA with a personal touch,
> >like Paul described. That, however, is the problem, not the answer.
> >
> >It is not pen-testing if there is no penetration.
> >
>
>
>
>
>
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