DAST vs Pentesting: What’s the Difference?

There’s a lot of confusion about the distinctions between DAST and penetration testing. These words are frequently confused, although they have distinct meanings.

In this article, we will discuss the differences between DAST and pentest, as well as the similarities. We will also look at some of the tools that are commonly used for both types of testing.

What Is DAST?

The phrase “DAST” refers to Dynamic Application Security Testing. It’s a type of software security testing that uses automated tools to check apps’ security. DAST may be used to reveal vulnerabilities in web applications, mobile apps, and other types of software.

DAST may be used to test applications in development or in operation, which is one of its advantages. Additionally, DAST can be used to test both publicly accessible websites and internally-facing applications.

What Is Pentesting?

A form of security testing that involves hands-on analysis of security vulnerabilities is penetration testing (also known as pentesting). Pentesters use these techniques to attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in systems or networks.

The goal of pentesting is to identify vulnerabilities that could allow a malicious actor to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or systems.

Pentesting is often conducted against internal networks, but it can also be used to test internet-facing applications. The results of pentesting are typically documented in the form of a written report.

Difference Between DAST and Pentesting

The main difference between DAST and pentesting is the types of tools used during testing. While pentesters use manual techniques during testing, DAST relies on automated tests that can be run without human intervention.

Additionally, most people who perform penetration testing have some kind of technical background (such as software development), whereas anyone with an internet connection and knowledge of how web browsers work can perform dynamic application security testing.

DAST is an excellent solution for organizations without their own security team. DAST tools are generally easier to use than penetration testing tools, so they can be used by anyone on the development team without specialized training.

Features of Pentesting and DAST

Although there are some differences between pentesting and DAST, both types of testing can achieve similar results. Some examples include:

•  Identifying potential vulnerabilities in systems or applications;
•  Testing web applications and mobile apps;
•  Assessing internal networks (i.e., “internal pen tests”);
•  Assessing external-facing systems (i.e., “external pen tests”).

Common Tools For Both Pentesting And Dast?

There are many different tools that can be used for both pentesting and DAST, but some of the most popular ones include:

• Astra’s Pentest
• Burp Suite
• Nessus
• Metasploit
• Nikto.
• OpenVAS.

These are just a few examples of top pen testing tools in US that can be used for either penetration testing or dynamic application security testing.

How To Choose Between DAST and Penetration Testing?

Choosing between DAST and pen-testing is not always easy, but there are some things to consider when deciding which type of testing you need.

A  manual penetration test attains a detailed analysis of your app’s security posture and it is usually very thorough and insightful. However, it is a time consuming program and requires security experts.

An automated test like DAST is easier to conduct, requires less amount of time, and produces results faster. If you want more detailed results from human testers that know what they’re doing then getting them involved would be worth considering!

Tips For DAST and Penetration Testing

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of both DAST and pentesting:

* Use DAST to quickly scan your application for common vulnerabilities;

* Use pentesting to manually test applications for more sophisticated or specific vulnerabilities;

*Before getting started, make a strategy – You must first define what you want to achieve and the types of testing you’ll need to get there.

*Make the most of both hands-on and automated testing approaches.

Pentesters can use automated tools to find the low-hanging fruit, then go in and exploit the vulnerabilities they find using manual techniques. DAST can be used as part of an ongoing security program to ensure that new vulnerabilities are identified and fixed quickly.

Final Thoughts On Dast Vs Pentesting

As you can see, there is a lot of overlap between these two types of security tests. They both use different methods to achieve similar results: identifying potential vulnerabilities in systems or applications.

The main difference is how they go about doing it – while one relies on manual techniques (pentesters), the other uses automated scans (application).