Vulnerability Assessment Types
A vulnerability assessment is a process used to identify and assess vulnerabilities in networks, systems, and applications. There are several different types of vulnerability assessments, each with its own unique focus and purpose.
Black Box Assessment
One type of vulnerability assessment is a black box assessment, also known as an external assessment, which simulates an attack from outside the organization. This type of assessment is done from the perspective of an attacker who has no knowledge of the organization's internal systems or network infrastructure. It is useful in identifying vulnerabilities that are exposed to the Internet.
White Box Assessment
Another type of vulnerability assessment is a white box assessment, also known as an internal assessment, which simulates an attack from inside the organization. This type of assessment is done from the perspective of an attacker who has knowledge of the organization's internal systems or network infrastructure. It is useful in identifying vulnerabilities that are only exposed internally.
Gray Box Assessment
A third type of vulnerability assessment is a gray box assessment, which is a combination of the black box and white box assessments. It simulates an attack from an outsider who has some knowledge of the organization's internal systems or network infrastructure.
Penetration Testing
While usually considered a separate kind of service service, a penetration test is technically another type of vulnerability assessment. This assessment is a simulated cyber-attack on a computer system, network, or web application to evaluate the security of the system. The purpose of the test is to identify vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit.
Compliance-based Assessment
Finally, a compliance-based assessment is done to ensure that an organization's systems and networks comply with industry standards and regulations such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and SOC2.
Each type of vulnerability assessment has its own strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right type for your organization will depend on your specific security needs and goals.