If you’re planning on taking the Security+ exam, you should have a basic understanding of relevant security control concepts and the importance of security monitoring.
Here’s a sample question, can you answer this?
Q. You need to perform tests on your network to identify missing security controls. However, you want to have the least impact on systems that users are accessing. Which of the following tools is the best to meet this need?
A. Code review
B. Vulnerability scan
C. Ping sweep
D. Penetration test
More, do you know why the correct answer is correct and the incorrect answers are incorrect? The answer and explanation is available at the end of this post.
Intrusive Versus Nonintrusive Testing
Scans can be either intrusive or nonintrusive. An intrusive scan attempts to exploit vulnerabilities. In contrast, a nonintrusive scan attempts to determine if a vulnerability exists, but it does not try to exploit the vulnerability. You can also think of this as invasive and noninvasive, respectively.
Vulnerability scans are nonintrusive and less invasive then penetration tests. Penetration tests are intrusive and more invasive than vulnerability scans.
Passive Versus Active Tools
In the context of tools used to discover security threats and vulnerabilities, it’s important to understand the difference between passive tools and active tools. A passive tool tests systems in a nonintrusive manner and has little possibility of compromising a system. An active tool uses intrusive and invasive methods and can potentially affect the operations of a system.
Vulnerability scanning is passive, whereas penetration testing is active. In this context, passive doesn’t mean that a vulnerability scanner isn’t doing anything. It certainly is probing systems to identify vulnerabilities and other problems. However, it does not take any action to exploit these vulnerabilities.
The 601 Version of the Study Guide
The CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study GuideEach of the eleven chapters presents topics in an easy to understand manner and includes real-world examples of security principles in action.
You’ll understand the important and relevant security topics for the Security+ exam, without being overloaded with unnecessary details. Additionally, each chapter includes a comprehensive review section to help you focus on what’s important.
Over 300 realistic practice test questions with in-depth explanations will help you test your comprehension and readiness for the exam. The book includes:
- A 75 question pre-test
- A 75 question post-test
- Practice test questions at the end of every chapter.
Each practice test question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the content and the reasoning behind the question. You’ll be ready to take and pass the exam the first time you take it.
If you plan to pursue any of the advanced security certifications, this guide will also help you lay a solid foundation of security knowledge. Learn this material, and you’ll be a step ahead for other exams. This SY0-601 study guide is for any IT or security professional interested in advancing in their field, and a must-read for anyone striving to master the basics of IT security.
When preparing for any exam, including the CompTIA Security+ exam, it’s worthwhile to look at the objectives. These objectives specifically use the word passively, and passive verbs, in the context of vulnerability scanning. They also use the word actively, and active verbs, in the context of penetration testing.
That doesn’t mean that you can feel free to run a vulnerability scanner on any network because it is passive. If your actions are discovered, you can easily be identified as an attacker and face legal action.
Remember this
A vulnerability scanner is passive and nonintrusive and has little impact on a system during a test. In contrast, a penetration test is active and intrusive, and can potentially compromise a system. A pentest is more invasive than a vulnerability scan.
Continuous Security Monitoring
It’s important to realize that there is never a time that security professionals can say, “Now that we’ve implemented this security measure, we can sit back knowing that we’re safe.” In other words, security is never finished. Instead, security professionals must continuously monitor their environment for emerging threats and new vulnerabilities.
Continuous security monitoring includes monitoring all relevant security controls, with the goal of ensuring that they help an organization maintain a strong security posture. There are many methods of monitoring, including performing periodic threat assessments, vulnerability assessments, and risk assessments. Many organizations perform routine vulnerability scans, such as once a week, and infrequent penetration tests. Additionally, organizations perform routine audits and reviews such as user rights and permissions reviews.
Q. You need to perform tests on your network to identify missing security controls. However, you want to have the least impact on systems that users are accessing. Which of the following tools is the best to meet this need?
A. Code review
B. Vulnerability scan
C. Ping sweep
D. Penetration test
Answer is B. A vulnerability scanner is passive and has the least impact on systems, but it can detect systems that are lacking specific security controls.
A code review is effective for identifying vulnerabilities in software. However, it doesn’t identify missing security controls elsewhere.
A ping sweep can identify hosts on a network based on their IP addresses.
A penetration test does not have the least impact on systems.
