How to get the most out of a penetration test scoping exercise

Well-scoped engagements help extract the most value from your penetration test. Poorly scoped engagements can lack the adequate coverage of the target application, and therefore miss potential security vulnerabilities that attackers might target. When they do, such poorly-scoped penetration tests can end up wasting resources. For example, if the scope of the penetration test is not clearly defined and objectives are ambiguous, it becomes challenging for the penetration tester to focus on specific areas which may lead to missing a critical vulnerability.

Use the following tips to improve any scoping exercise for a penetration test.

Involve the right people

Firstly, make sure all the correct people are at the scoping exercise. This means any technical staff knowledgeable about the target application, risk owners, testers etc. The right people have a deeper understanding of the critical assets and objectives. Involving them in the scoping exercise ensures that your penetration test will align with your overall cybersecurity goals and focuses on protecting the most valuable assets.

Set clear objectives for the test

Be clear on what you want from the test. Are you trying to find specific problems or wanting to focus on specific areas? Clear goals provide a roadmap for your penetration testers. They help identify and prioritise the critical assets and functionalities that need to be assessed for security vulnerabilities.

Consider the purpose and functionality of the application

Some things should be given additional attention , such as knowing what your target asset does, who uses it, and why? By understanding the functionality of a web application, for example, penetration testers can plan for known vulnerabilities they will attempt to uncover and the attacker techniques they will use to exploit them.

Certain parts of the web app can hold more importance than others. Attackers often target key functionalities to achieve their goals, whether it's unauthorised access, data theft, or service disruption. By focusing on the key functionality, a penetration test can emulate realistic attack scenarios, providing insights into the vulnerabilities that adversaries might exploit.

Work with the testers scoping your applications to identify key areas where a security issue could be a concern. Talk to your technical team and get their thoughts on where the website might have problems and test these areas more. Setting limits on what's being tested and focusing on the important bits prevents your scope from getting too complicated.

Consider possible compliance implications

Think about your compliance obligations such as GDPR, or any industry-specific regulations such as PCI DSS. Complying with these may influence the testing approach and which attack techniques are selected, versus those which are deemed to be out of bounds.

Some compliance standards prescribe the frequency of penetration testing, f or example, annual or quarterly testing may be required to maintain compliance. PCI DSS mandates a specific scope for the assessment, focusing on systems and networks that are involved in the processing, storage, or transmission of cardholder data. If this is the case, the penetration test scope needs to be tightly aligned with these PCI DSS requirements.

Forecast potential pitfalls

Outline potential issues which might impact the testing. This could include the need for out-of-hours testing, critical systems, or other things specific to the organisation. Critical systems are vital for the daily operations of the organisation. Disruption or damage to these systems during penetration testing can directly impact business continuity, leading to financial losses and potential harm to the organisation's reputation. Highlighting which systems are business-critical during scoping will ensure the tester takes extra precautions during the testing of such systems.

Set clear project management goals

Special consideration should also be given to:

• The timeframe of the test
• Any restrictions such as out of bounds assets, systems or attack techniques
• Predetermined attack scenarios designed to test specific use cases
• Whether testing will be conducted in a live or development environment
• Any requirements for special reporting

All of these may affect how the testing is delivered, which testers are assigned, when the work can be scheduled and how much the exercise will cost.

Listen to your testers

During the scoping exercise, penetration testers may ask for specific information related to the identification and prioritisation of critical assets. Clear communication with your penetration testers will mean everyone is on the same page, so that you can prioritise the assessment of key systems and functionalities that are essential to your organisation's operations.

Authenticated testing can also require the creation of multiple user accounts for the effective delivery of the penetration test. For this reason, during the scoping exercise, it's important to have members of your IT department involved, who have a detailed understanding of the different user roles and what test accounts may need creating, in order to help your penetration testers achieve their goal.

Trust your team and collaborate

Lastly, think of the scoping exercise as teamwork. The end goal is to ensure the requirements are agreed upon and in place ahead of testing. To do this you should:

• Share your concerns
• Share any positive and negative feedback from previous penetration tests
• Listen to the advice from your penetration testers
• Create a detailed scope and project plan, then review it and agree before proceeding

With thorough and detailed scoping, you can ensure adequate coverage of the target asset and its functionality and uncover any potential security vulnerabilities which may affect it. The additional effort required upfront for detailed scoping will ensure you derive the maximum value possible from your penetration test.

To discuss your cybersecurity strategy needs with a team of technical and business specialists, get in touch. To find out more, explore our penetration testing and continuous security testing services.

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