Given the expanding attack surface coupled with the increasing sophistication of attacker tactics and techniques, penetration testing checklists have become essential for ensuring thorough assessments across an organization’s attack surface, both internal and external. By providing a structured approach, these checklists help testers systematically uncover vulnerabilities in various assets like networks, applications, APIs, and systems. They ensure no critical area is overlooked and guide the testing process, making it more efficient and effective at identifying security weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers. A pentest checklist essentially leaves no stone unturned and is a detailed and comprehensive list of every type of vulnerability in which to simulate an attack against.
Each asset being tested, however, requires a different pentest checklist tailored to its specific characteristics and risks. For example, a checklist for pentesting web applications – which remains one of the top targets by malicious actors – will be quite lengthy but encompasses vulnerabilities that are unique to external-facing apps. These specialized checklists are a litmus test to ensure that security measures are evaluated, assesses for effectiveness, depending on the asset, and make overall testing more targeted and relevant to each environment.
BreachLock recently introduced a comprehensive guide that includes detailed pentest checklists of the primary stages involved in pentesting using various frameworks such as OWASP Top 10 and OWAS ASVS across every asset and all respective associated vulnerabilities for the following:
This is a summary of why pentest checklists are important including an overview of a general pentest checklist. A complete guide for full-stack security, including BreachLock’s compendium of comprehensive pentest checklists across all assets, can be accessed here.
Penetration testing has become one of the most effective offensive security measures to identify and assess vulnerabilities across both internal and external attack surfaces. Traditional pentesting methods have certainly evolved and penetration testing services are now widely used to help fortify an organization’s security posture.
Pentesting is carried out by certified security experts who simulate real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities for assessment and mitigation within a specific scope. These tests are based on detailed pentest checklists that are tailored by asset (e.g., web applications, network, APIs, etc.) and act as a guide for the pentest checklist process, ensuring standardized frameworks are used and testing adheres to applicable compliance requirements.
To better understanding pentesting, below are the varied methods used for penetration testing that lie in the delivery model, scalability, and frequency of testing, followed by pentest checklists by asset type.
Creating a detailed pentest checklist is essential for performing thorough and effective security assessments. This first checklist is a general but expanded checklist that offers a structure approach to ensure both enterprises and CREST-certified pentest experts cover all critical areas in evaluating cybersecurity defenses.
Pentest checklists serve pentest experts and their organizations by ensuring a consistent, comprehensive, and systematic approach to identifying security vulnerabilities. A pentest checklist leaves no stone unturned and facilitates better communication between pentesters and stakeholders. They provide a clear outline of what will be tested, evaluated, and how the findings will be assessed. This transparency helps enterprises understand their security posture and to make more informed decisions about improvements.
Pentest checklists are not only effective in identifying vulnerabilities but ensure a systematic approach, using the best practices, tools, and frameworks, for penetration testing. They benefit pentesters by providing assurances to their organization and stakeholders that they are taking meaningful steps to protect their assets. Pentest checklists are a security blanket for any organization conducting penetration testing as a Service.
For more detailed pentest checklists, click here for the complete guide for full-stack security, including BreachLock’s compendium of comprehensive pentest checklists across all assets.
