RE: Application Assessment

[Michael Gargiullo <mgargiullo () pvtpt com>]

<SNIP>

If you go with a vendor, ask for a demo, preferrably a demo scan of
one of  your own servers. Then, you can choose the product/service
that gives you the best, most useful, results.

<SNIP>

Tom gave some great tips.  The company I'm with specializes in security
auditing.  The amount of time that goes into an application assessment
can vary greatly.  

It's also wise to take a multi-pronged approach.  Think about it like
this, why break into your application, when I can break your database
server or web server in a quarter of the time?  

A sample vulnerability scan of your servers is quick and easy for a
company to do.  A thorough test of your application is not.  Automated
tools will only go so far, as no computer can think like a human, or
have the ingenuity of a determined attacker.

To better gauge a security company, ask for a few sample reports. See
how they operate, check out their methodology. Ask hard questions, and
expect real answers.

I hope this helps more then it hinders you in your search.

Oh...  Also check out F5's Application Firewall...  truly a cool device
designed to scan your app for vulnerabilities, then protect against
malicious people.

-Mike