September 18, 2024 3 Minute Read

An offensive security program is an excellent component of a mature cybersecurity program, but kicking off that process can be overwhelming for some organizations. 

After all, offensive security has several components, such as Penetration Testing, Red Team exercises, incorporating threat intelligence, etc., so it can be hard to decide where to start.

The answer to this dilemma starts with Managed Vulnerability Scanning (MVS).

Managed vulnerability scanning is a very affordable entry point into the realm of offensive security. In many cases, it's only slightly more expensive than the license cost, but cost-effectiveness is just one of its many benefits. Additionally, MVS is a streamlined service that allows experts to review your vulnerabilities, which is simpler and faster than hiring and training your team; you get the expertise of global professionals, such as the Trustwave SpiderLabs team.

Experience Required

An organization's first benefit from an MVS program is identifying and addressing any current vulnerabilities in their system. This knowledge is crucial for any security program. After all, you can only fix something if you know it is broken.

Expert analysis of a vulnerability scan will also help spot and eliminate false positives the security scan finds before your team spends time and energy tracking them down, ensuring issues are properly prioritized and categorized. It’s important to realize that a miscategorized event can sometimes be as dangerous as one that is missed.

Another point an in-house team may overlook is how a combination of seemingly unimportant issues can lead to a disaster, for example. Say we know that X vulnerability alone is not a problem, we know Y vulnerability alone is not a problem, but X+Y is a major problem, and our staff has the training and resources to put that equation together for a client. Trustwave has this level of knowledge due to all the information we have gathered through decades spent investigating client systems, performing research, penetration testing thousands of clients, compiling that data, and then using this institutional knowledge to protect all our clients.

The end result and follow-up required from these initial scans depend upon the organization. Some might be remarkably clean, while others may have many issues, possibly even critical vulnerabilities. These will require a hefty patch schedule, system hardening, and the implementation of stronger security controls, and completing this process can range from a few months to almost a year.

It's important to note that scans are conducted based on the client's schedule. Trustwave does not want to impact regular operations, and we are happy to meet any demand. Generally, scanning can be done weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

Stepping Up from MVS to OS

Once we see a very low number of vulnerabilities turning up on the regular scans, we know the low-hanging fruit has been spotted and taken care of and the client will be ready for the next level of maturity, penetration testing.

Penetration Testing is essential for identifying and prioritizing risks, allowing organizations to evaluate the security of their web applications, networks, and systems. It not only reveals additional vulnerabilities but can pinpoint flaws in implementation and technology. Penetration testing also helps enhance the protection of sensitive customer data and ensures compliance with various regulatory requirements. Penetration testing will test points like business logic, using different tactics like password sprays and other methods vulnerability scanning tools do not use.

Once the penetration tests deliver good results and any additional vulnerabilities are identified and mitigated, the next step can be taken.

The Big Time

At this point, we need to determine if an organization's security team is ready to play with the varsity team. We can find this out by conducting Red or Purple team exercises.

Red Team exercises are simulated cyberattacks on an organization's security infrastructure conducted by a designated group of security professionals to test the effectiveness of security measures and uncover vulnerabilities. These practice attacks are extremely stealthy and meant to fully tax a defender’s capabilities.

Purple Team exercises, on the other hand, are collaborative efforts where the red team (attackers) and blue team (defenders) work together to enhance the organization's defense capabilities by sharing insights and feedback in real time during the exercise.

Deliverables for Clients

Clients receive various deliverables, including raw scan data, reports with executive summaries and trends, and monthly in-person meetings with a full slide deck. These deliverables ensure clients have all the information they need to understand and act on their vulnerabilities.

Implementing an MVS program is a critical first step in establishing a strong offensive security program. MVS offers a cost-effective and expert-driven approach to proactively identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, laying a solid foundation for an organization's overall security posture. As the program matures, additional components such as penetration testing, threat intelligence, and Red Team exercises can be added to further enhance the organization's defensive capabilities. If you’re ready to take the first step in your offensive security journey, MVS is a great place to start!