Security Testing
As part of theICEway ecosystem of companies along with ICE and CRIBB Cyber Security, eTestware’s team of software testing experts work with clients in cruise, travel and healthcare. Together, we adopt a security by design approach and a full collaborative spirit to deliver right sourced security testing services alongside your IT teams.
What is it?
Security testing is deployed to find threats, risks and vulnerabilities in an application. It is used to prevent malicious attacks from occurring. The main objective is to uncover all possible weaknesses that might lead to information being lost. This could either be through internal or external incidents.
It is a very important form of testing. By identifying potential vulnerabilities, threats to the application can be countered. This means that it is not prone to being exploited or to losses in functionality. It is also very useful to developers, who can address any problems detected via coding.
Top Tip: What are some of the best practices?
- Carry our security testing before implementation or deployment to save on cost
- Start by producing a test plan that includes security-related test scenarios
- The plan should also include the testing tools to be used, such as WireShark; it is highly advisable to conduct several tests using different tools
What are the different types?
Vulnerability Scanning – This sees the test subject scanned for vulnerabilities using automated software
Penetration testing – The subject endures a simulated attack from a tester posing as a hacker
Ethical hacking – Similar to penetration testing, although this sees the test subject exploited with the owner’s permission
Risk Assessment – This type of testing sees an organisation’s security risks analysed and classified (low, medium, high) with recommendations then made on how best to tackle them
Security Scanning – This is deployed to uncover weaknesses in networks and systems, with solutions provided
Posture Assessment – Combining ethical hacking, risk assessment and security scanning, this is used to evaluate an organisation’s overall security posture
Security Auditing – This involves an internal inspection of all operating systems and applications to identify any security flaws
Security testing is viewed as being the most important type of testing because it determines whether or not confidential data will remain that way. The tester acts as an attacker and sets out to uncover security-related bugs before offering fixes which are ultimately designed to protect data. To find out more, speak with one of our software testing experts today!
Next week: Blockchain Testing
Read about Functional or performance testing.