Criteria for Evaluating the Methodologies
Maturity Criteria for Methodologies The maturity of a methodology is assessed based on three key aspects:
Completeness
This refers to whether the methodology explains the rationale and includes all necessary steps.
Guidance
The extent to which the methodology provides adequate instructions on what needs to be done.
Implementation Support
The level of support on how to effectively implement the methodology.
The maturity levels range from “Emerging” to “Integrated,” with specific descriptors for completeness, guidance, and implementation at each level:
Level 1: Emerging – Incomplete, Basic, Basic
Level 2: Evolving – Rudimentary, Rudimentary, Detailed
Level 3: Established – Sufficient, Comprehensive, Comprehensive
Level 4: Enhanced – Thorough, Thorough, Thorough
Level 5: Integrated – Exhaustive, Exhaustive, Exhaustive
Characteristics Criteria for Methodologies
The characteristics evaluated include:
Efficiency: How well the methodology supports resource utilization, process streamlining, and ease of use.
Efficiency levels range from Basic to Optimized.
Effectivity: The achievement of goals and adaptability to different scenarios.
Effectivity levels range from Foundational to Comprehensive.
Scalability: The methodology’s ability to grow or shrink according to organizational needs.
Community Support: Ensures accuracy and adherence to best practices.
Licensing/Cost: Various levels of licensing from Open Source to Commercial.
The overall score for characteristics is an average of the scores from efficiency, effectivity, scalability, community support, and licensing.
Additional Clarification of the Criteria
Additional Clarification of the Criteria This section elaborates on the importance of each characteristic in penetration testing frameworks. Key points include:
Adaptability and Flexibility
The methodology must be versatile enough to cater to different environments, including specialized fields (e.g., IoT, ICS).
Scalability
Crucial for managing large-scale applications and ensuring efficient handling of tests.
Community and Documentation
An active community aids in addressing issues swiftly, and thorough documentation enhances usability.
Cost and Licensing
Evaluating the financial implications and compliance with licensing terms is critical for long-term sustainability.
Criteria for Evaluating the Frameworks
Maturity Criteria for Frameworks Similar to methodologies, frameworks are evaluated on:
Technical Breadth: Completeness regarding the tests covered.
Technical Depth: Support for implementation, including documentation and code samples.
The maturity levels are defined from “Emerging” (Incomplete, Conceptual) to “Integrated” (Exhaustive, Exploit code).
Characteristics Criteria for Frameworks The characteristics evaluated include:
Ease of Use:
User-friendliness and straightforwardness.
Expandability:
Ability to adapt to new vulnerabilities and changes in technology.
Community Support:
Ensuring quality and adherence to best practices.
Room for Creativity:
Encouraging innovative approaches in testing.
Research Stimulation:
Promoting independent research to adapt to evolving threats.
Additional Clarification of the Criteria
Technical Depth:
The framework’s ability to assess vulnerabilities comprehensively.
Ease of Use:
Emphasizes the importance of user-friendly design and integration into existing systems.
Expandability:
The framework’s capacity to evolve and integrate new technologies or vulnerabilities.
In summary, the criteria provided are essential for organizations to evaluate and select appropriate methodologies and frameworks for effective penetration testing, ensuring thorough assessments of their security postures while accommodating future developments and challenges.
This page was created using insights from the report CYSSDE D2.1 Methodologies Pentesting
To read the full report, please use the link below.