Overview
As cyber threats evolve, organizations must choose between traditional periodic penetration testing and modern continuous security validation approaches. Each has its place in a comprehensive security strategy.
Traditional Penetration Testing
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Typically annual or semi-annual |
| Duration | 1-4 weeks per engagement |
| Output | Static PDF report |
| Cost Model | Per-project billing |
| Coverage | Point-in-time snapshot |
Continuous Penetration Testing
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Ongoing, 24/7/365 |
| Duration | Continuous assessment |
| Output | Real-time dashboard and alerts |
| Cost Model | Subscription-based |
| Coverage | Ongoing security posture visibility |
Key Differences
- Timing: Traditional tests provide snapshots; continuous testing provides ongoing visibility
- New Vulnerabilities: Traditional may miss new vulnerabilities introduced after the test; continuous catches them quickly
- Integration: Continuous testing integrates with DevOps; traditional is often siloed
- Remediation: Continuous provides ongoing validation of fixes; traditional requires retesting
When to Use Each
Traditional Pentesting Best For:
- Compliance requirements specifying annual testing
- Specific high-stakes assessments (pre-M&A, product launch)
- Organizations with stable, slowly-changing environments
Continuous Testing Best For:
- Fast-moving, agile development environments
- Organizations requiring real-time security visibility
- Cloud-native and DevSecOps-focused teams
Scapien's Approach
Scapien delivers continuous security risk management, combining the depth of expert penetration testing with the timeliness of continuous validation, giving you the best of both worlds.