Blog

May 24, 2024

3 min read

PTaaS (Penetration Testing as a Service) vs Manual Pen-Testing

Learn why continuous and automated PTaaS is the most effective method to proactively secure your AI systems

SplxAI Blog Author - Marko Lihter

Marko Lihter

SplxAI Blog - PTaaS vs Manual Pentesting
SplxAI Blog - PTaaS vs Manual Pentesting
SplxAI Blog - PTaaS vs Manual Pentesting

In today’s tech-driven world, keeping AI applications, especially chatbots, secure is a big deal. With advanced models like ChatGPT and GPT-4, we need top-notch security measures. Traditional pen-testing has been the go-to, but now, Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) is changing the game. Let’s dive into why PTaaS might be the better choice compared to old-school manual pen-testing.

In today’s tech-driven world, keeping AI applications, especially chatbots, secure is a big deal. With advanced models like ChatGPT and GPT-4, we need top-notch security measures. Traditional pen-testing has been the go-to, but now, Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) is changing the game. Let’s dive into why PTaaS might be the better choice compared to old-school manual pen-testing.

In today’s tech-driven world, keeping AI applications, especially chatbots, secure is a big deal. With advanced models like ChatGPT and GPT-4, we need top-notch security measures. Traditional pen-testing has been the go-to, but now, Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) is changing the game. Let’s dive into why PTaaS might be the better choice compared to old-school manual pen-testing.

What is Manual Pen-Testing?

Manual pen-testing is all about real people, real hackers (the good kind), trying to break into your system. They use their brains and a bunch of tools to find vulnerabilities. This method is thorough but comes with its own set of pros and cons.

Pros

  • Deep Dive: Human testers can spot complex issues that machines might miss.

  • Expert Analysis: These testers can think outside the box and adapt to different scenarios.

  • Fewer False Positives: Manual testing typically results in fewer false positives compared to automated tools.

Cons

  • Time-Consuming: It can take weeks, sometimes months.

  • Costly: Skilled labor isn’t cheap.

  • One-off Snapshots: You get a security snapshot at a single point in time, which might miss new vulnerabilities popping up later.

Manual pen-testing is all about real people, real hackers (the good kind), trying to break into your system. They use their brains and a bunch of tools to find vulnerabilities. This method is thorough but comes with its own set of pros and cons.

Pros

  • Deep Dive: Human testers can spot complex issues that machines might miss.

  • Expert Analysis: These testers can think outside the box and adapt to different scenarios.

  • Fewer False Positives: Manual testing typically results in fewer false positives compared to automated tools.

Cons

  • Time-Consuming: It can take weeks, sometimes months.

  • Costly: Skilled labor isn’t cheap.

  • One-off Snapshots: You get a security snapshot at a single point in time, which might miss new vulnerabilities popping up later.

Manual pen-testing is all about real people, real hackers (the good kind), trying to break into your system. They use their brains and a bunch of tools to find vulnerabilities. This method is thorough but comes with its own set of pros and cons.

Pros

  • Deep Dive: Human testers can spot complex issues that machines might miss.

  • Expert Analysis: These testers can think outside the box and adapt to different scenarios.

  • Fewer False Positives: Manual testing typically results in fewer false positives compared to automated tools.

Cons

  • Time-Consuming: It can take weeks, sometimes months.

  • Costly: Skilled labor isn’t cheap.

  • One-off Snapshots: You get a security snapshot at a single point in time, which might miss new vulnerabilities popping up later.

What is PTaaS?

PTaaS is the new kid on the block, blending automated tools with human expertise. Think of it as a continuous, on-demand pen-testing service that keeps up with your code changes and updates.

Pros

  • On-demand: Continuous pen-testing means your app is always under watch.

  • Cost-Effective: Automation reduces costs without sacrificing too much on thoroughness.

  • Scalable: It scales with your development process, providing timely insights.

  • Real-Time Reports: You get instant feedback and can act on vulnerabilities right away.

  • Handles Complexity: PTaaS can handle the huge spectrum of vulnerabilities in AI chatbots more efficiently than manual testing.

Cons

  • Automation Limits: Automated tools might miss some nuanced issues that a human could catch.

PTaaS is the new kid on the block, blending automated tools with human expertise. Think of it as a continuous, on-demand pen-testing service that keeps up with your code changes and updates.

Pros

  • On-demand: Continuous pen-testing means your app is always under watch.

  • Cost-Effective: Automation reduces costs without sacrificing too much on thoroughness.

  • Scalable: It scales with your development process, providing timely insights.

  • Real-Time Reports: You get instant feedback and can act on vulnerabilities right away.

  • Handles Complexity: PTaaS can handle the huge spectrum of vulnerabilities in AI chatbots more efficiently than manual testing.

Cons

  • Automation Limits: Automated tools might miss some nuanced issues that a human could catch.

PTaaS is the new kid on the block, blending automated tools with human expertise. Think of it as a continuous, on-demand pen-testing service that keeps up with your code changes and updates.

Pros

  • On-demand: Continuous pen-testing means your app is always under watch.

  • Cost-Effective: Automation reduces costs without sacrificing too much on thoroughness.

  • Scalable: It scales with your development process, providing timely insights.

  • Real-Time Reports: You get instant feedback and can act on vulnerabilities right away.

  • Handles Complexity: PTaaS can handle the huge spectrum of vulnerabilities in AI chatbots more efficiently than manual testing.

Cons

  • Automation Limits: Automated tools might miss some nuanced issues that a human could catch.

Comparing Manual Pen-testing and PTaaS

Manual Pen-Testing vy PTaaS Comparison Table
Manual Pen-Testing vy PTaaS Comparison Table
Manual Pen-Testing vy PTaaS Comparison Table

Why PTaaS is a Game-Changer for AI Chatbots

  • Automated and Continuous Testing: PTaaS tests your chatbot on a scheduled basis, when triggered by your CI/CD pipeline, or on-demand, catching the latest vulnerabilities as soon as they pop up.

  • AppSec: Enhances security by providing up-to-date insights.

  • Safety Features: Helps implement robust guardrails to avoid problems like hallucinations and jailbreak attempts, ensuring your AI chatbots remain safe and reliable.

  • Collaboration: Makes it easier for DevOps and SecOps teams to work together.

  • Efficiency in Complexity: Handles the vast range of vulnerabilities and attack variations inherent in AI chatbots efficiently.

  • Automated and Continuous Testing: PTaaS tests your chatbot on a scheduled basis, when triggered by your CI/CD pipeline, or on-demand, catching the latest vulnerabilities as soon as they pop up.

  • AppSec: Enhances security by providing up-to-date insights.

  • Safety Features: Helps implement robust guardrails to avoid problems like hallucinations and jailbreak attempts, ensuring your AI chatbots remain safe and reliable.

  • Collaboration: Makes it easier for DevOps and SecOps teams to work together.

  • Efficiency in Complexity: Handles the vast range of vulnerabilities and attack variations inherent in AI chatbots efficiently.

  • Automated and Continuous Testing: PTaaS tests your chatbot on a scheduled basis, when triggered by your CI/CD pipeline, or on-demand, catching the latest vulnerabilities as soon as they pop up.

  • AppSec: Enhances security by providing up-to-date insights.

  • Safety Features: Helps implement robust guardrails to avoid problems like hallucinations and jailbreak attempts, ensuring your AI chatbots remain safe and reliable.

  • Collaboration: Makes it easier for DevOps and SecOps teams to work together.

  • Efficiency in Complexity: Handles the vast range of vulnerabilities and attack variations inherent in AI chatbots efficiently.

Why PTaaS Might Be Better for You

  • Speed and Efficiency: PTaaS fits right into agile development, providing faster vulnerability detection and mitigation.

  • Cost Savings: Automation cuts down on manual labor costs.

  • Continuous Protection: Unlike manual testing, PTaaS is easily integrated into CI/CD.

  • Huge Vulnerability Spectrum: AI chatbots and LLMs have a vast range of vulnerabilities and attack variations. Testing these manually every time is extremely time-consuming and expensive.

  • Non-Deterministic Nature: AI chatbots are non-deterministic, meaning you have to run the same attack multiple times to ensure it doesn’t pass on the third or fourth attempt.

  • Speed and Efficiency: PTaaS fits right into agile development, providing faster vulnerability detection and mitigation.

  • Cost Savings: Automation cuts down on manual labor costs.

  • Continuous Protection: Unlike manual testing, PTaaS is easily integrated into CI/CD.

  • Huge Vulnerability Spectrum: AI chatbots and LLMs have a vast range of vulnerabilities and attack variations. Testing these manually every time is extremely time-consuming and expensive.

  • Non-Deterministic Nature: AI chatbots are non-deterministic, meaning you have to run the same attack multiple times to ensure it doesn’t pass on the third or fourth attempt.

  • Speed and Efficiency: PTaaS fits right into agile development, providing faster vulnerability detection and mitigation.

  • Cost Savings: Automation cuts down on manual labor costs.

  • Continuous Protection: Unlike manual testing, PTaaS is easily integrated into CI/CD.

  • Huge Vulnerability Spectrum: AI chatbots and LLMs have a vast range of vulnerabilities and attack variations. Testing these manually every time is extremely time-consuming and expensive.

  • Non-Deterministic Nature: AI chatbots are non-deterministic, meaning you have to run the same attack multiple times to ensure it doesn’t pass on the third or fourth attempt.

Conclusion

As AI applications and chatbots become crucial to business operations, securing them is more important than ever. PTaaS offers a modern, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to traditional manual pen-testing. By blending automated tools with human expertise, PTaaS ensures your AI applications stay safe, secure, and trustworthy.

Switching to PTaaS can help you stay ahead in the ever-changing world of cybersecurity. It’s time to keep your AI systems safe without breaking the bank or slowing down your development process. With PTaaS, you get the best of both worlds: thorough, continuous security testing that adapts to the complexities and non-deterministic nature of AI chatbots.

As AI applications and chatbots become crucial to business operations, securing them is more important than ever. PTaaS offers a modern, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to traditional manual pen-testing. By blending automated tools with human expertise, PTaaS ensures your AI applications stay safe, secure, and trustworthy.

Switching to PTaaS can help you stay ahead in the ever-changing world of cybersecurity. It’s time to keep your AI systems safe without breaking the bank or slowing down your development process. With PTaaS, you get the best of both worlds: thorough, continuous security testing that adapts to the complexities and non-deterministic nature of AI chatbots.

As AI applications and chatbots become crucial to business operations, securing them is more important than ever. PTaaS offers a modern, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to traditional manual pen-testing. By blending automated tools with human expertise, PTaaS ensures your AI applications stay safe, secure, and trustworthy.

Switching to PTaaS can help you stay ahead in the ever-changing world of cybersecurity. It’s time to keep your AI systems safe without breaking the bank or slowing down your development process. With PTaaS, you get the best of both worlds: thorough, continuous security testing that adapts to the complexities and non-deterministic nature of AI chatbots.

Deploy your AI apps with confidence

Deploy your AI apps with confidence

Deploy your AI apps with confidence

Scale your customer experience securely with Probe

Join numerous businesses that rely on Probe for their AI security:

CX platforms

Sales platforms

Conversational AI

Finance & banking

Insurances

CPaaS providers

300+

Tested AI chatbots

100k+

Vulnerabilities found

1,000+

Unique attack scenarios

12x

Faster time to market

SECURITY YOU CAN TRUST

GDPR

COMPLIANT

CCPA

COMPLIANT

ISO 27001

CERTIFIED

SOC 2 TYPE II

COMPLIANT

OWASP

CONTRIBUTORS

Scale your customer experience securely with Probe

Join numerous businesses that rely on Probe for their AI security:

CX platforms

Sales platforms

Conversational AI

Finance & banking

Insurances

CPaaS providers

300+

Tested AI chatbots

100k+

Vulnerabilities found

1,000+

Unique attack scenarios

12x

Faster time to market

SECURITY YOU CAN TRUST

GDPR

COMPLIANT

CCPA

COMPLIANT

ISO 27001

CERTIFIED

SOC 2 TYPE II

COMPLIANT

OWASP

CONTRIBUTORS

Scale your customer experience securely with Probe

Join numerous businesses that rely on Probe for their AI security:

CX platforms

Sales platforms

Conversational AI

Finance & banking

Insurances

CPaaS providers

300+

Tested AI chatbots

100k+

Vulnerabilities found

1,000+

Unique attack scenarios

12x

Faster time to market

SECURITY YOU CAN TRUST

GDPR

COMPLIANT

CCPA

COMPLIANT

ISO 27001

CERTIFIED

SOC 2 TYPE II

COMPLIANT

OWASP

CONTRIBUTORS

Supercharged security for your AI systems

Don’t wait for an incident to happen. Make sure your AI apps are safe and trustworthy.

SplxAI - Background Pattern

Supercharged security for your AI systems

Don’t wait for an incident to happen. Make sure your AI apps are safe and trustworthy.

SplxAI - Background Pattern

Supercharged security for your AI systems

Don’t wait for an incident to happen. Make sure your AI apps are safe and trustworthy.