For two decades or so now, web applications have been the backbone of many businesses, making their security paramount. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) and penetration testing are crucial for identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities in web application security. While both aim to enhance application security, they differ significantly in their approach, execution, and outcomes.

Penetration Testing, often known as "pen testing," plays a pivotal role in assessing the security posture of any digital environment. It's a simulated cyber attack where security teams utilise a series of attack techniques to identify and exploit vulnerabilities within systems, applications, and an organisation’s infrastructure. This form of testing is crucial because it evaluates the effectiveness of the organisation's defensive mechanisms against unauthorized access and malicious actors.

CREST accreditation is a good place to start – a ‘stamp of approval’ for a high-quality penetration test. But what does it mean to be CREST-approved, and what differentiates CREST penetration testing from other assessments? Read on to find out.

In the realm of industry and infrastructure, Operational Technology (OT) refers to hardware and software systems designed to monitor and control physical devices. OT is a cornerstone in managing and automating essential services in a variety of sectors including utilities, manufacturing, and transportation. Key elements of OT include Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Industrial Automation, which support critical infrastructure operations.

Imagine your financial data behind a seemingly impenetrable wall, but in reality, it's akin to a fortress with invisible cracks. That is a world without Threat-Led Penetration Testing (TLPT). As cyber threats become more nuanced and lethal, TLPT stands as a specialised sentinel in the arsenal of financial institutions, safeguarding sensitive assets through the simulation of real-world attacks.

ISO 27001, the internationally recognised standard for information security management systems (ISMS), provides a framework for organisations to protect their valuable information assets. Penetration testing is crucial in preventing data breaches and maintaining the business’s reputation. ISO 27001 strongly recommends it as a critical tool for assessing an organisation’s security posture and ensuring compliance with control A.12.6.1, which focuses on managing technical vulnerabilities.

This is a Bulletproof Tech Talk article: research from our penetration testing team covering issues, news, and tech that interests them. It’s more technical and in-depth that our usual blog content, but no less interesting. In the complex landscape of Active Directory, ensuring secure and appropriate access is a constant challenge. Recently another "ESC" technique has been released which is known as ESC13.

Automated penetration testing, or automated pen testing, is a type of security assessment that uses specialist tools to uncover vulnerabilities. Although it can serve as part of a cohesive security strategy, it also presents some challenges. In this article, we outline the pros and cons of automated pen testing and compare it with manual pen testing.

Sensitive customer information leaked, operations disrupted, and reputation tarnished – this is not the headline you want splashed across the internet. There’s a 76% spike in data theft victims and a 75% increase in cloud intrusions. Vulnerabilities are lurking within every organization’s digital infrastructure – but how do you stay ahead of security threats? The answer is simple – proactive security testing.

You might already know a fair bit about r2frida by now - its definition, usage, features, installation, and examples - something we discussed in the previous blog of this series. In case you missed out on it, you can find it here. In this blog, we will explore how r2frida can be instrumental in manipulating an iOS app's runtime.

Cyberattacks are a growing threat, making it crucial for us to understand the tools and techniques available to secure applications. Today, we dive into the differences and similarities between Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) and Penetration Testing with insights from a Veracode industry expert and certified penetration tester, Florian Walter. DAST is an automated technique designed to identify security vulnerabilities in web applications and APIs during runtime.

API penetration testing, or API pentesting, is a specialised form of security testing focused on identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities within an API (Application Programming Interface). APIs are the backbone of modern web applications, enabling communication between different software systems.

Mobile applications are ubiquitous, but their security can be a concern. Unlike web applications, in a mobile landscape, both the device and the mobile application have a crucial role in security due to increasing cyber threats. Mobile application penetration testing (mobile app pen testing) is a proactive security measure to identify and address vulnerabilities before malicious actors exploit them.

Organisations require robust security measures that go beyond surface-level checks. Frankly, those days are gone now. White box penetration testing emerges as a powerful tool in this arsenal, offering a comprehensive security assessment by leveraging “insider” knowledge. Let’s delve into what white box penetration testing entails, its methodologies, and real-world examples illustrating its effectiveness.

Businesses increasingly migrate to cloud-based solutions for storage, applications, and critical functions. While the cloud offers scalability and agility, it also introduces new security challenges. Cloud penetration testing is a crucial defence mechanism for proactively identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities.

Penetration testing is a cornerstone of any mature security program and is a mature and well understood practice supported by robust methodologies, tools, and frameworks. The tactical goals of these engagements typically revolve around identification and exploitation of vulnerabilities in technology, processes, and people to gain initial, elevated, and administrative access to the target environment.

The world is quickly seeing the rise of AI powered customer service. The conversational agent chatbots enhance the customer experience but also introduce a new attack vector. Here's what you need to know about strengthening AI chatbot defenses. Many AI driven technologies have access to vast data sources and access to functions that assist users. AI chatbots can be used in many ways such as answering questions about an item in stock, help develop code, to helping users reset their password.