Breach and attack simulations are an advanced computer security testing method. These simulations identify vulnerabilities in security environments by mimicking the likely attack paths and techniques used by malicious actors. In this sense, a breach and attack simulation acts much like a continuous, automated penetration test, and it improves upon the inherent limitations of red and blue team testing.

Gartner defines BAS technologies as tools “that allow enterprises to continually and consistently simulate the full attack cycle (including insider threats, lateral movement, and data exfiltration) against enterprise infrastructure, using software agents, virtual machines, and other means”.

What makes BAS special, is its ability to provide continuous and consistent testing at limited risk and that it can be used to alert IT and business stakeholders about existing gaps in the security posture or validate that security infrastructure, configuration settings and detection/prevention technologies are operating as intended. BAS can also assist in validating if security operations and the SOC staff can detect specific attacks when used as a complement to the red team or penetration testing exercises.

There are three different types of BAS solutions:

• Agent-based BAS solutions are the simplest form of BAS. Agents are deployed across the LAN and vulnerabilities are identified to determine which routes are open to a potential attacker to move around the network. An agent-based BAS solution is very similar to vulnerability scanning but offers much more context.
• BAS solutions based on “malicious” traffic. These BAS solutions generate intrusive traffic within the network between dedicated virtual machines that serve as targets for a wide range of attack scenarios. An overview is then created of which events have not been detected and blocked by the company’s own security controls.
• Cloud-based BAS solutions. BAS solutions that are cloud-based are the closest to a real attack. They simulate numerous attack scenarios from the outside via different entry points. (so-called multi-vector attacks) and thus also the network perimeter of the company. The cloud platforms are fed with the latest threats from a wide variety of sources and are therefore always very up-to-date. Being SaaS solutions, they can be implemented very quickly.

By running these cyber-attack simulations in a controlled environment, an advanced BAS platform can identify vulnerabilities and gaps and then provide prioritized recommendations to help quickly close them. In this sense, a BAS platform works much like a purple team, allowing for comprehensive vulnerability assessment and remediation. Yet unlike a purple team, a BAS platform is automated and can be deployed remotely, making it especially well-suited to today’s challenges.

This automation is the key to maintaining continuous risk assessment and threat mitigation — the gold standard for today’s cybersecurity solutions.