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The purpose of this image is to show how important cyber security is. Think about red teaming vs penetration testing vs culnerability scanning
Feb132024

Red teaming vs penetration testing vs vulnerability scanning.

Red teaming vs penetration testing vs vulnerability scanning

A vulnerability scan, penetration test (pentest) and Red Teaming are different ways to test cybersecurity. The terms are often confused or misused. Do you know which test best fits your needs? In this blog post, we will cover the difference between red teaming vs penetration testing vs vulnerability scanning.

Red teaming vs penetration testing vs vulnerability scanning in brief

Vulnerability Scanning

In a vulnerability scan, we examine an IT system or network for vulnerabilities. In this way we make possible targets visible, for example software that has not been updated on time or settings that are not secure. The results of a vulnerability scan provide an overview of the weaknesses in your organisation’s IT system.

At Securance, we scan with Nessus, Tenable’s vulnerability scanner. You can choose to have your external or internal network scanned. After the scan, one of our ethical hackers reviews whether the vulnerabilities found are false positives. With a false positive, the scan indicates that a vulnerability has been found, while this is not the case. At the end you get a scan report or you can see the results in a dashboard. We help you interpret and resolve the scan results. We do the scanning for free for our customers who have a pentest subscription.

Penetration Testing (pentest)

In a pentest, we also examine your IT system or network for vulnerabilities. But a pentest goes a step further than a vulnerability scan by testing the vulnerabilities found. We break into your IT environment, giving you a better picture of the vulnerabilities and risks in your applications, systems and networks.

Before we begin a pentest, we agree on what you want tested, for example, the systems directly connected to the Internet, the internal infrastructure, the Windows domain, a website, or web application. We also discuss how long the test will take and what access we will have.

In a comprehensive pentest (ransomware vulnerability analysis), we perform at least the following tests:

  • Phishing test 
  • External infrastructure test
  • Internal network test
  • Windows domain test
  • Cloud configuration review
  • Workstation test
  • Wi-Fi test

Upon completion of the pentest, we will write a report on the findings and discuss the results. This allows you to take targeted measures to reduce your risks and improve your security.

Red Teaming

During red teaming, our hackers behave as much as possible like real attackers. The purpose of red teaming is to test an organisation’s defenses against a targeted attack and to see how the organisation responds. While performing the test, the red team tries to remain undetected. Your organisation’s defensive group is called the blue team. This team monitors all systems and responds to incidents.

A red team tests not only the technical security of your system, but also the response of the organisation’s personnel and one defends against an attack. The team tries to circumvent security measures by exploiting weaknesses in the company’s systems, processes and personnel.

Before we begin, we discuss the scope, duration and purpose of the assignment. Upon completion of the test, we discuss whether and how the goal was met and what attacks we used to do so. We compare these actions with the attacks noticed by the blue team. In a comprehensive report, we share our findings and recommendations for improving security.

What do I choose?

Now you have a broad understanding of red teaming vs penetration testing vs vulnerability scanning, but what do you choose within your organization?

The best test depends on your organisation’s purpose and situation. Do you want a broad understanding of the vulnerabilities within your IT system? Then a vulnerability scan is a good choice. It gives a first impression and can help you resolve the most notable vulnerabilities immediately.

Where a vulnerability scan ends, a pentest continues. During pentesting, an ethical hacker goes to see if vulnerabilities are attackable. A pentest is especially suitable when you want to have a specific system or network tested in detail. This allows you to know exactly where the most risks lie.

If you want to know how well your organisation responds to a cyberattack (identify, detect, protect, recover), then you should opt for red teaming. This is the next step if you have already had multiple pentests performed and no high risks or vulnerabilities come out of them.

Want to have your organisation tested?

Would you like to have a vulnerability scan, pentest or red team assignment performed? Or do you have any questions? Call the experts at Securance HackDefense at phone number (+31) 71 204 0101 or send an email to [email protected]. We would be happy to help you!

Aug152021

SOC 2 or ISO 27001: Which is better suited for my organization?

SOC 2 or ISO 27001: Which is better suited for my organization?

If your organization provides business-to-business IT or financial services, it’s likely that your clients will request SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification or attestation. This process can demand significant resources and time from your organization. This article explains the similarities and differences between these two certifications. A SOC 2 report and an ISO 27001 certificate can be compared to close relatives, and there are opportunities for efficiency, as achieving one certification can significantly reduce the time required to obtain the other.

1. Scope

Both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 are similarly designed to provide clients with confidence that their data is protected. The clients have commonalities, as both frameworks address critical aspects of information security, such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Both are widely recognized certifications that demonstrate to clients your company’s commitment to security.

A key difference is that the SOC 2 certification primarily focuses on demonstrating the effective implementation of security measures that protect client data. ISO 27001, on the other hand, solely requires an organization to have an Information Security Management System (ISMS), a prescribed set of security measures.

2. Market applicability

A significant similarity is that both certifications are well-known information security standards widely accepted as proof that an organization has appropriate security measures in place. Particularly in the United States, these certifications are accepted by organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large corporations. Both are fully accepted across most industries and position an organization as a reliable vendor with robust information security practices.

3. External party

Both certifications are assessed by third parties, either ISO 27001 auditors or (registered) accountants. The key difference is that a firm recognized by the Netherlands Institute of Chartered Accountants (NBA) issues a SOC 2 report, while an accredited ISO 27001 auditor certifies ISO 27001 compliance. Risklane employs both recognized accountants and accredited ISO 27001 auditors who can advise on the audit process.

4. Costs

Both certifications have comparable operational costs, which include the internal costs for the team implementing the control measures and gathering the evidence required to demonstrate compliance with SOC 2 or ISO 27001.

The pricing for the two types of certifications can vary significantly. Generally, the costs of a SOC 2 certification are higher than those of an ISO 27001 certification. This is primarily due to the extensive documentation requirements for auditors conducting a SOC 2 audit.

5. Timeframe

The project approach for both certifications is similar and consists of roughly corresponding phases. Since SOC 2 and ISO 27001 share many of the same control measures, the implementation phases also have a comparable timeframe. However, a SOC 2 audit may require more internal and external (auditor) time due to the aforementioned documentation requirements.

After the audit period, both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications must be periodically renewed to remain valid for user organizations. ISO 27001 typically involves a three-year cycle, with an audit in the first year and annual renewals thereafter.

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Nov292019

The ISO 9001 stakeholders

The ISO 9001 stakeholders

The first step is to identify the ISO 9001 stakeholders referenced in the standard, here it refers to people or organizations that will influence your ability to deliver products and services that reliably address your customers’ problems and legal issues. addressing issues necessities. List all things that affect your organization, such as customers, government organizations, non-governmental agencies, representatives, shareholders, suppliers, and so on.

When you have this list, a list of those you think could impact your ability to deliver your products and services, you can figure out which parties you think are most important to your company. 

ISO 9001 implementation can be challenging. The most important challenges are; limited time, budget constraints and experience with implementing a professional quality management system. A quality management system and certification in accordance with ISO 9001 plays a pivotal role in the operation of organizations.

In the current global market place the need to achieve ISO 9001 is increasing as a consequence of higher requirements from corporates and supervisory authorities. Requirements and needs vary from quality management (ISO 9001), to information security (ISO 27001 / ISAE 3000 | SOC 2)and assurance over outsourced processes (ISAE 3402 | SOC 1).

Example of ISO 9001 Stakeholders

  • Customers
  • People in an organization
  • Banks
  • Labor unions
  • Society
  • Pressure groups
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Providers
  • Government
  • Partners
  • Competitors
Nov82019

ISO 27001 and SOC 2 – The Comparisons

ISO 27001 and SOC 2 -The Comparisons

ISO 27001 is an international standard outlining the requirements for managing the security of assets such as financial information, intellectual property, employee and customer data, and third-party entrusted information. Created by the International Standards Organization, ISO 27001 also provides a guideline for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), focusing on long-term data protection. An ISO 27001 certification signifies a significant investment in time and resources in security and provides a robust foundational building block for any organization’s security compliance program.

SOC (Service Organization Controls) is a set of standards developed by the AICPA for assessing and evaluating an organization’s control competencies. SOC for service organizations: Trust Services Criteria (also known as SOC 2 reports) are intended to meet the needs of a wide range of users who require detailed information and assurance about the controls relevant to the security, availability, and processing integrity of the systems used to process users’ data, and the confidentiality and privacy of the information processed by these systems. These reports can play a crucial role in organizational oversight, vendor management programs, internal corporate governance, risk management processes, and regulatory oversight.

There are two types of SOC 2 reports: Type 1 and Type 2.

A SOC 2 Type 1 audit provides a snapshot of the data protection measures present in an organization. The design of the controls is assessed and the implementation is confirmed, but consistent performance is not evaluated in a Type 1 report. If an organization is new to SOC 2, obtaining a SOC 2 Type 1 report is the first step.

A SOC 2 Type 2 audit addresses the operational effectiveness of controls over a specified period, such as six to twelve months. A SOC 2 Type 2 report sets a higher bar than a Type 1 report, as it not only assesses the design and implementation of control processes but also evaluates whether the controls were consistently performed during the specified period. This provides customers and business partners with greater confidence in the effectiveness of control processes.

These two security management frameworks have many similarities. Both are voluntary and designed to prove a company’s reliability in processing customer data while protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information. The frameworks share an equally respected and revered reputation, and customers view both as viable proof of your company’s ability to protect data. In short, having a SOC 2 Type 2 report or ISO 27001 certification will enhance your brand’s reputation and help attract new customers.

You don’t have to look hard to find logistical and operational similarities between SOC 2 and ISO 27001. The frameworks share many similar security requirements, making functional implementation and evidence collection time comparable. Both frameworks also require certified third-party validation assessments and periodic reassessments.