Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) and manual penetration testing are both methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures. However, they differ in several important ways.
Manual penetration testing is typically performed by trained security professionals who attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in an organization's IT environment. The testing is often performed on a periodic basis and may be time-consuming and resource intensive. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers and provide recommendations for addressing them.
BAS solutions, on the other hand, use automated tools to simulate attacks and test an organization's security defences continuously. BAS solutions can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of an organization's security posture, as they can run continuously and cover a broader range of attack scenarios. BAS solutions are typically faster, more cost-effective, and require less specialized expertise than manual penetration testing. That being said, BAS solutions are not a complete substitute for manual penetration testing.
Manual penetration testing can uncover vulnerabilities that may be missed by automated tools, particularly in complex or custom IT environments. Additionally, regulatory requirements may mandate periodic manual testing in addition to continuous BAS solutions.
In summary, BAS solutions and manual penetration testing are complementary
methodologies that can be used together to provide a comprehensive evaluation of an
organization's security posture. BAS solutions can provide continuous testing, while manual
penetration testing can uncover vulnerabilities that may be missed by automated tools.