Definition
What is VAPT?
Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) is a term used to describe security testing that is designed to identify and help address cyber security vulnerabilities. The meaning of VAPT can vary from one geographical region to another, either as a bracket for multiple distinct services, or a single, combined offering. VAPT as a whole could include anything from automated vulnerability assessments to human-led penetration testing and red team operations.
Overview
The value of VAPT
VAPT describes a broad range of security assessment services designed to identify and help address cyber security exposures across an organisation’s IT estate.
To ensure that you choose the right type of assessment for your company’s needs, it’s important to understand the various types of VAPT services and the differences between them. The diverse nature of VAPT assessments means that they can vary significantly in depth, breadth, scope and price, so this understanding is critical to ensure tests deliver the best value for money.
About
Why do you need VAPT?
The evolving tools, tactics and procedures used by cybercriminals to breach networks means that it’s important to regularly test your organisation’s cyber security.
VAPT helps to protect your organisation by providing visibility of security weaknesses and guidance to address them. VAPT is increasingly important for organisations wanting to achieve compliance with standards including the GDPR, ISO 27001 and PCI DSS.
Services
VAPT Services
The broad definition of VAPT means the various services it describes are often confused and used interchangeably. Before commissioning any form of VAPT security testing, organisations should be aware of the services an assessment could include:
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Penetration testing, or pen testing for short, is a multi-layered security assessment that uses a combination of machine and human-led techniques to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in infrastructure, systems and applications.
A pen test conducted by a professional ethical hacker will include a post-assessment report detailing any vulnerabilities discovered and remediation guidance to help address them.
Types of penetration testing:
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A vulnerability assessment, often encompassing vulnerability scanning, is designed to help identify, classify and address security risks. Vulnerability assessment services also provide the ongoing support and advice needed to best mitigate any risks identified.
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A red team operation is the most in-depth security assessment available. By utilising modern adversarial techniques and intelligence, red teaming simulates the approach of real-life adversaries to test an organisation’s ability to detect and respond to persistent threats.
VAPT providers
Choosing a VAPT provider
When selecting a VAPT provider, it’s essential to look for an organisation with the necessary accreditations, expertise and experience to not only identify risks, but also provide the support needed to address them.
As an award-winning and CREST-accredited provider of offensive security services, Redscan can be trusted to meet your VAPT requirements. Our security consultants are among the highest qualified in the industry, so you can be confident that a Redscan VAPT engagement will provide the outcomes and complete post-test care needed to level up your organisation’s cyber security.
Expertise
Our security qualifications
Types of penetration test
Network infrastructure testing
Redscan rigorously investigates your network to identify and exploit a wide range of security vulnerabilities. This enables us to establish if assets such as data can be compromised, classify the risks posed to your overall cyber security, prioritise vulnerabilities to be addressed, and recommend actions to mitigate risks identified.
Wireless testing
Unsecured wireless networks can enable attackers to enter your network and steal valuable data. Wireless penetration testing identifies vulnerabilities, quantifies the damage these could cause and determines how they should be remediated.
Application and API security review
Vulnerabilities contained within software are commonly exploited by cybercriminals and are easily introduced by under-pressure programmers. Redscan’s ethical hackers conduct automated and manual penetration tests to assess backend application logic and software and API source code.
Remote working assessment
If your organisation is embracing mass remote working for the first time, it’s important to ensure that it is doing so securely. Ensure your networks, applications and devices are protected and fully secured with a custom remote working security assessment.
Web application security testing
Web applications play a vital role in business success and are an attractive target for cybercriminals. Redscan’s ethical hacking services include website and web app penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities including SQL injection and cross-site scripting problems plus flaws in application logic and session management flows.
Social engineering
People continue to be one of the weakest links in an organisation’s cyber security. Redscan’s social engineering pen test service includes a range of email phishing engagements designed to assess the ability of your systems and personnel to detect and respond to a simulated attack exercise.
Mobile security testing
Mobile app usage is on the rise, with more and more companies enabling customers to conveniently access their services via tablets and smartphones. Redscan carries out in-depth mobile application assessments based on the latest development frameworks and security testing tools.
Firewall configuration review
Firewall rule sets can quickly become outdated. Redscan’s penetration testers can detect unsafe configurations and recommend changes to optimise security and throughput.
Meet some of our team
Why choose Redscan?
A trusted partner for pen testing
- One of the highest accredited UK pentesting companies
- A deep understanding of how hackers operate
- In-depth threat analysis and advice you can trust
- Complete post-test care for effective risk remediation
- Multi award-winning offensive security services
- Avg. 9/10 customer satisfaction, 95% retention rate
Get a Pen Test quote now
Keep your business safe by protecting your networks, systems and apps with our penetration testing services.
- One of the highest accredited UK pentesting companies
- A deep understanding of how hackers operate
- In-depth threat analysis and advice you can trust
- Complete post-test care for effective risk remediation
- Multi award-winning offensive security services
- Avg. >9/10 customer satisfaction, 95% retention rate
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