Network Security Testing: Tools and Methodologies

Network security testing is a widespread means of testing security restraints across a network to recognize and indicate vulnerabilities and infer dangers. The end conclusion is usually network access to protected data or systems, while the testing medium can change (wireless, physical access, hardware/IoT, phishing emails, Dropbox placement).

The objectives of testing differ, depending not only on the overall goal but also on the organization’s maturity. Network testing can assess security defences, meet compliance requirements, and test the security controls of any kind of electronic information.

Let’s look at what the typical tests include:

1. Vulnerability Assessment
2. Penetration Testing
3. Specific network tests, comprising Wireless Network Penetration Testing
4. Red Team Testing
5. Application Security Testing

What is Growing with Network Security Testing?

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As modern technology platforms increase new security complexities, like out of the perimeter, into the cloud, etc. IT and security teams must gain current expertise and tools, but also seek out self-sufficient testers to deliver reviews. Moreover, growing threat complexity and boosted business risk have intensified security postures. 

Adapting compliance mandates and the increasing refinement of adversaries imply that your testing program should improve as well. In feedback, IT teams are testing with smaller scope limitations and partnering with highly skilled vendors. 

Now let’s have a glimpse at the list of the best tools for Network Security:

1. Nessus
2. Wire shark
3. Snort
4. Metasploit
5. Netca
6. AirCrack
7. BackTrack
8. Cain and Abel

As we know, security is a point of concern for many of us. The reason we worry about paying online is because we are unaware of how safe the website is. However, as times change, things also change, and now most of the sites are completely security tested to find out the defects before they affect the real users.

What Should you do to Test Network Security?

Network Testing encompasses testing network devices, DNS, and servers for susceptibility or threats. Therefore it is often advisable to follow the below techniques for testing Network Security:

1. Most significant areas should be tested first. In the case of network security, areas that are revealed to the public are considered to be critical. So your priority should be on firewalls, routers, web servers, switches, and systems that are open to a mass crowd.
2. You should be updated with security patches. The system under test should constantly have the latest security patch installed in it.
3. Good Interpretation of Testing Outcomes. Vulnerability Testing sometimes may direct to false-positive scores and at times may not be able to recognize the problems beyond the ability of the tool that is being used for testing. Testers should be experienced enough to understand, analyze, and make a decision on the result, in such cases.
4. Awareness of the Security Policies- Testers should be well-informed in the security policy or the strategy that is followed. This will assist in effective testing and understanding of what is within and beyond the security approaches.
5. Tool Selection- From a vast range of tools available, make sure you choose the tool that delivers the features needed for your testing.

List of Network Security Devices

Let’s look at the brief note of few Network Security Devices below:

1. Firewalls 

A firewall is the safety layer that regulates the connections that can take place within a network.

2. VPN’s 

VPN Gateways are utilized to create a secure connection to the remote systems.

3. Anti Virus

It is used to identify, monitor, and filter out all kinds of malware.

4. URL Filtering

URL filtering will keep the end-users secured by prohibiting them to access malicious websites.

5. IDS system

Intrusion detection system monitors for malicious attacks and increases alert to the team of admin.

Techniques for Testing Network Security 

Testing network security involves various techniques designed to identify vulnerabilities and ensure robust protection against threats. Penetration testing simulates cyberattacks to uncover weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers. Vulnerability scanning uses automated tools to detect known vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure.

1. Network Scanning

In this technique, a port scanner is utilized to recognize all the hosts connected to the network. Network Services are also scanned, like FTP and HTTP. This ultimately helps in confirming whether the ports are configured to allow only secured network services or not.

2. Vulnerability Scanning

Vulnerability Scanner assists in finding the weakness of the system or network. It delivers data on the security loopholes which can be enhanced.

3. Ethical Hacking

This is hacking performed to recognize probable threats to a system or network. This assists to identify if unauthorized access or malicious attacks are possible.

4. Password Cracking

This technique can be utilized to crack weak passwords. This can enable implementing a policy with minimum password criteria which ends up in establishing strong passwords and is hard to crack.

5. Penetration Testing

Pentest is an attack done on a network or system to discover Security flaws. Under Penetration Testing Technique the Servers, web application, mobile devices, endpoints, wireless devices, and network devices, are all compromised to know the vulnerability.

Why Network Security Test?

A well-tested site from a security viewpoint often has two prime advantages. Here are the benefits below:

• Retention of Consumers: If a Website is secured, users will certainly opt to utilize it over other websites. In the case of eCommerce websites, retention of customers results in the generation of further revenue online.
• Cost Saving: A Website compliant with all the security protocol pushes minor legal charges later, and the cost involved in obtaining the site back up after a security attack gets lowered.

Network Security Tools

Now let’s look at the best security tool for networks below:

1. Intruder

The intruder is a strong vulnerability scanner that discloses cybersecurity weaknesses in your network systems and illustrates the dangers and assists with their remediation before a breach can happen. With thousands of automated security checks accessible, Intruder creates enterprise-grade vulnerability scanning available to businesses of all sizes. 

Its security checks comprise recognizing misconfigurations, missing patches, and common web application problems such as cross-site scripting and SQL injection. Created by experienced security specialists, Intruder takes care of much of the conflict of vulnerability management, so you can concentrate on what truly matters. 

It saves you time by prioritizing results based on their context as well as proactively scanning your networks for modern vulnerabilities, so you don’t need to worry about it. The intruder also incorporates crucial cloud providers as well as Jira and Slack.

2. Acunetix

Acunetix Online involves a network security testing tool that inspects and reports on over 50,000 known network configurations and vulnerabilities. It finds open ports and running services like examines the security of routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers. 

Tests for weak passwords, badly configured Proxy Servers, DNS zone transfer, weak SNMP community strings, and TLS/SSL ciphers, among others. It merges with Acunetix Online to deliver an extensive perimeter network security audit on top of the Acunetix web application audit.

3. Paessler PRTG

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is an all-rounder network monitoring software that is strong and can assess your whole IT infrastructure. This simple to use solution delivers everything and you will not need any additional plugins. The solution can be utilized by industries of any size. It can monitor all the devices, systems, traffic, and applications in your infrastructure.

There are Some Other Tools Too so Let’s Look at that Given Below:

1. Forcepoint
2. MetaSploit
3. Qualys
4. NMAP
5. WireShark
6. Penetration Testing Tool
7. AVDS Vulnerability Assessment and Management
8. Nessus
9. W3af
10. Sparta
11. OpenVAs

Best Service Provider Companies for Network Security

1. RedTeam Secure
2. Acunetix
3. Valency Network
4. SecureWorks
5. Veracode
6. Nettitude
7. RedSpin
8. Trustwave
9. Encripto
10. Lateral Security
11. PortCullis
12. Core Security
13. Test Insane
14. NetCraft

Conclusion

The conclusion of the Network Security Testing not only enables the developers or creators but it should also be dealt with the team of security within the organization. Altogether, the article can be a proportion of all the corrective action that requires to be taken, and also trace the improvements or progress that are performed in the area of security execution.