User-Activated Penetration Testing for Self-Service Vulnerability Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Households and businesses lack timely and convenient access to proactive cybersecurity assessments, relying instead on reactive measures against malware, and ordinary users are not empowered to perform their own 'white hat' penetration tests without specialized expertise.
Innovation Solution
A user-activated penetration test system that allows ordinary users to initiate a penetration application on their computer, leveraging a hosted service to assess vulnerabilities and provide educational feedback without requiring IT expertise, operating in snap-shot, training, or continuous surveillance modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If professional penetration testing services are used, then security assessment quality is improved, but cost and accessibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of professional penetration testing capabilities through automated software that replicates the functions of ethical hackers. The system copies security assessment methodologies, vulnerability scanning techniques, and penetration testing protocols into an automated application that can be deployed by ordinary users without requiring professional expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual professional penetration testing with an automated software-based system. Instead of requiring human ethical hackers to manually test security systems, the patent uses automated software tools that perform vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and security assessment through programmed algorithms and AI-driven analysis.
2Speed
If reactive malware protection is used, then immediate response capability is improved, but proactive vulnerability identification is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically scanning for and identifying security vulnerabilities before they are exploited by malware or attackers. The system performs proactive vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and security auditing in advance, allowing organizations to patch weaknesses before they become active threats, thereby eliminating the need to wait for reactive responses to security incidents.
3Ease of manufacture
If automated penetration testing is implemented, then cost is reduced, but operation complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by allowing ordinary users to autonomously execute penetration testing and security assessments without requiring professional expertise. The automated system performs vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and security auditing independently, with the software automatically analyzing results and generating reports. This eliminates the need for users to manually configure complex security tools or interpret technical security data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that automatically analyze security assessment results and provide actionable recommendations. The system feeds back vulnerability findings, risk assessments, and remediation suggestions to users in an accessible format, enabling them to understand and address security issues without requiring technical expertise in security operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (100) and method (900) enabling a user (80) to initiate a penetration request (300) on an assessed computer (220). The penetration application (310) is communicated from a host computer (210) to the assessed computer (220) on a network (230). The penetration application (310) can be used to create vulnerability data (500) relating to the assessed computer (220). Different embodiments of the system (100) can involve a variety of different operating modes (110).