How to select the best security assessment tool for the job

A wide range of testing gizmos are available that can perform security vulnerability assessments, including basic port scanners, network and OS vulnerability assessment tools -- even complex Web application penetration testing programs. If you need to perform a security vulnerability assessment or plan to outsource one, it pays to know which security tools work best for particular tasks and to take the time to choose the right tool.

Basic port scanners that I find very useful are Foundstone's SuperScan and Fyodor's nmap. These scanners can be used for initial reconnaissance probing to map out a network and to gather information on live systems and services that are running on the network. SuperScan 4.0 even offers up some more advanced Windows enumeration features that can prove beneficial for further poking and prodding.

Security vulnerability assessment (VA) tools are available as freeware, open source or commercial products. These tools not only have features to map out the network, but they go deeper to see what's actually running and to identify known and potential vulnerabilities. The security tool spectrum is broad. Solutions range from ASP-based tools such as Qualys' QualysGuard, other commercial GUI-based tools such as Application Security's AppDetective and Elcomsoft's Proactive Windows Security Explorer that are very simple to configure and operate, to tools that require more technical knowledge to use such as the GUI-based Nessus and the command-line based Nikto.

With so many options, it's h

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A lot of effort goes into testing for security vulnerabilities. If you find the right security tools, you and your team members can work smarter not harder when performing ongoing security tests. It's important to budget time for learning new tools as well as money for initial purchases and ongoing maintenance costs for the commercial tools. By selecting the right tools to maximize your time and money, you can increase your chances of working more effectively to find more security vulnerabilities, gain ongoing support for information security and set up an environment that makes your job a little easier. We could all use some of that.

About the author
Kevin Beaver is the founder and principal consultant of the information security services firm Principle Logic, LLC based in Atlanta, Ga., where he specializes in information security assessments and incident response. He has more than 16 years of experience in IT and is the author of several books on information security including the new title Hacking For Dummies by Wiley Publishing. Kevin can be reached at kbeaver@principlelogic.com.