Penetration Testing Methodologies and Standards

The online space continues to grow rapidly, creating more opportunities for cyberattacks to occur within computer systems, networks, or web applications. To mitigate and prepare for these risks, penetration testing is a necessary step to find security vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit.

What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing, or “pen testing,” is a security test run to simulate an actual cyber attack. Cyber ​​attacks may include phishing attempts or breaches of network security systems. There are different types of penetration testing available to organizations, depending on the security controls required. Tests can be run manually or using automated tools through specific workflows or penetration testing methodologies.

Why is penetration testing necessary and who is involved?

The terms “ethical hacking” and “penetration testing” are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are differences. Ethical hacking is a broader field of cybersecurity that involves the use of hacking techniques to improve network security. Penetration testing is just one of the methods used by ethical hackers. Ethical hackers may also provide malware analysis, risk assessments, and other hacking tools and techniques to discover and fix security weaknesses rather than causing harm.

According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of Data Breach report, the global average cost of a data breach in 2023 is $4.45 million, a 15% increase over the past three years. One way to mitigate these breaches is to conduct accurate and clear penetration tests.

Companies hire pen testers to run mock attacks against their apps, networks, and other assets. By preparing fake attacks, penetration testers help security teams uncover critical security vulnerabilities and improve their overall security posture. These attacks are often carried out by red teams or aggressive security teams. Red teams simulate the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of real attackers on an organization’s own systems as a way to assess security risks.

There are several penetration testing methods to consider when entering the pen testing process. The choice of organization depends on the target organization’s category, the goals of the penetration test, and the scope of the security test. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. To conduct a fair vulnerability analysis prior to the penetration testing process, your organization must understand its security issues and security policies.

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5 Key Penetration Testing Methodologies

One of the first steps in the pen testing process is deciding which methodology to follow.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at five of the most popular penetration testing frameworks and penetration testing methodologies to help guide stakeholders and organizations on which method best suits their specific needs and ensure it covers all the areas they need.

1. Open source security testing methodology manual

OSSTMM (Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual) is one of the most widely used penetration testing standards. This methodology has been peer-reviewed for security testing and was created by the Institute for Security and Open Methodologies (ISECOM).

The method is based on a scientific approach to pen testing with an accessible and adaptable guide for testers. OSSTMM includes key features such as operational focus, channel testing, metrics and trust analysis in its methodology.

OSSTMM provides a framework for network penetration testing and vulnerability assessment for penetration testing professionals. It is designed to be a framework for providers to find and remediate vulnerabilities, such as issues with sensitive data and authentication.

2. Web application security project opened

OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) is an open source organization dedicated to web application security.

The non-profit organization’s goal is to make all of its materials free and easily accessible to anyone who wants to improve web application security. OWASP has its own top 10 (link resides outside ibm.com). This is a well-curated report that outlines the biggest security issues and risks to web applications, including cross-site scripting, compromised authentication, and protection behind firewalls. OWASP uses the Top 10 list as the basis for the OWASP Test Guide.

This guide is organized into three parts: OWASP Testing Framework for Web Application Development, Web Application Testing Methodology, and Reporting. Web application methodologies can be used separately or as part of a web testing framework for web application penetration testing, mobile application penetration testing, API penetration testing, and IoT penetration testing.

3. Penetration test execution standards

Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) is a comprehensive penetration testing methodology.

PTES was designed by a team of information security experts and consists of seven main sections covering all aspects of pen testing. The purpose of PTES is to outline what organizations should expect from a penetration test and establish technical guidance to guide them throughout the process, starting at the pre-engagement stage.

PTES aims to become the benchmark for penetration testing and provide a standardized methodology for security professionals and organizations. This guide provides a variety of resources, including best practices for each step of the penetration testing process from start to finish. Some of the main functions of PTES are exploitation and post-exploitation. Exploitation refers to the process of gaining access to a system through intrusion techniques such as social engineering or password cracking. A post-mortem attack is when data is extracted from a compromised system and access is maintained.

4. Information system security assessment framework

The Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF) is a penetration testing framework supported by the Information Systems Security Group (OISSG).

This methodology is no longer maintained and is likely not the best source for up-to-date information. However, one of its main strengths is that it links individual pen testing steps to specific pen testing tools. This type of format can be a good basis for creating an individualized methodology.

5. National Institute of Standards and Technology

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a cybersecurity framework that provides a set of penetration testing standards for the federal government and external organizations to follow. NIST is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce and should be considered the minimum standard to follow.

NIST penetration testing follows guidelines sent by NIST. To comply with these guidelines, organizations must conduct penetration testing according to predetermined guidelines.

pen test steps

Set range

Before pen testing begins, the testing team and company establish the test scope. The scope outlines the systems to be tested, when to test them, and the methods the penetration tester can use. Scope also determines how much information the penetration tester will have up front.

Start testing

The next step is to test the scoping plan and evaluate vulnerabilities and capabilities. At this stage, you can perform network and vulnerability scanning to better understand your organization’s infrastructure. Depending on your organization’s needs, you can perform internal and external testing. There are various tests that a pen tester can perform, including black box testing, white box testing, and gray box testing. Each provides different levels of information about the target system.

Once the network overview is established, testers can begin analyzing the systems and applications within the given scope. At this stage, the penetration tester gathers as much information as possible to understand the misconfiguration.

Report on findings

The final step is debriefing and debriefing. At this stage, it is important to develop a penetration test report that includes all results of the penetration test outlining the vulnerabilities identified. The report should include a mitigation plan and the potential risks if remediation is not made.

Pen testing and IBM

Trying to test everything will waste your time, budget, and resources. A communication and collaboration platform with historical data allows you to centralize, manage, and prioritize high-risk networks, applications, devices, and other assets to optimize your security testing program. The X-Force® Red Portal allows everyone involved in troubleshooting to view test results immediately after a vulnerability is discovered and schedule security testing at a convenient time.

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