Re: Vulnerability Assessment vs. PenTest

["Hylton Conacher(ZR1HPC)" <hylton () conacher co za>]

James Harless wrote:
> Where is the line between a Vulnerability Assessment and a PenTest?  In
> other words, which tests do you run which identifies your assessment as
> a pentest rather than a VA?
The following comment is my opinion although James' opinion and what has 
been said before seems to follow the same line:
1. The VA indicates where problems could/might be found/used.

2. A Pentest uses the holes that are found either by a VA or the ones
   found on a pentest, to see if data/a system can be compromised.

A diference now needs to be drawn between a hacker, cracker and security
expert. All three categories need further subdividing into black or
white. A security expert would generally be equated with a whitehat
hacker, however, that does not mean that security experts are not
tempted to venture onto 'the dark side'.

A whitehat could run a VA or pentest(depending on scope allowed) and
advise the company concerned of the possible holes found.
A blackhat would perform both a VA and pentest but take personal
advantage of the flaws found.

The above is my understanding and I'd appreciate any corrections.
--
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