Re: What is being a pen tester really like?

[Mark Teicher <mht3 () earthlink net>]

"Fail to penetrate', seems like a sentence from one of those "Haxor the Planet" series books with some many co-authors, 
with people like JimSmall, Limp Danisky, Barbie Drawer, etc.
-----Original Message-----
> From: Diarmaid McManus <diarmaidmcmanus () gmail com>
> Sent: Aug 8, 2006 8:09 PM
> To: Dotzero <dotzero () gmail com>
> Cc: pen-test () securityfocus com
> Subject: Re: What is being a pen tester really like?
>
> Apologies, I was under the impression from my quick read that Kluge
> meant "Its a pen test if you don't _attempt_ a penetration" rather
> than "Its a pen test if you _fail_ to penetrate".
>
> However, no penetration test should fail. You should always be able to
> get access if your client allows you to cover all areas, such as
> Physical testing, Social Engineering, etc.
>
> ~Diarmaid
>
> On 08/08/06, Dotzero <dotzero () gmail com> wrote:
> > On 8/8/06, Diarmaid McManus <diarmaidmcmanus () gmail com> wrote:
> > > Actually kluge, i think you'll find that that would be 'Its not
> > > nuclear weapons testing if there are no nuclear weapons', which, you
> > > will find, is actually not nuclear weapons testing.
> > >
> > > Penetration testing, by defenition, (and to keep many happy ill throw
> > > in IMO here) requires penetration of the systems you are testing, or
> > > at least proof that you _can_ penetrate them if you so wish.
> > >
> > > Yours,
> > > ~Diarmaid.
> >
> > I have to agree with Kluge. Penetration testing is testing the ability
> > to penetrate. That is different than saying that penetration is a
> > prerequisite for testing.
> >
> > You might have a very short report if you find no way of actually
> > penetrating but you still performed the test.
> >
> > Dotzero
> >
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This List Sponsored by: Cenzic

Concerned about Web Application Security? 
Why not go with the #1 solution - Cenzic, the only one to win the Analyst's 
Choice Award from eWeek. As attacks through web applications continue to rise, 
you need to proactively protect your applications from hackers. Cenzic has the 
most comprehensive solutions to meet your application security penetration 
testing and vulnerability management needs. You have an option to go with a 
managed service (Cenzic ClickToSecure) or an enterprise software 
(Cenzic Hailstorm). Download FREE whitepaper on how a managed service can 
help you: http://www.cenzic.com/news_events/wpappsec.php 
And, now for a limited time we can do a FREE audit for you to confirm your 
results from other product. Contact us at request () cenzic com for details.
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