Breach and attack simulation (BAS) has become an essential component of cybersecurity programs. By continuously testing defenses against the latest real-world attacks, BAS helps security teams find and fix gaps before attackers exploit them.
But with dozens of BAS vendors now on the market, selecting the right solution can feel overwhelming. In this comprehensive guide, we evaluate the top 10 BAS platforms to help you make an informed decision.
What to Look for in a BAS Solution
An effective BAS tool should have certain key capabilities:
Comprehensive Attack Library. The software should simulate a wide range of up-to-date, real-world attack techniques, ideally mapped to the industry-standard MITRE ATT&CK framework.
Integrations. Since security infrastructure differs across organizations, the ability to integrate with existing tools is critical. Prioritize solutions that connect to your tech stack.
Detailed Reporting. BAS platforms should provide clear, actionable reports that help you understand risk exposure and how to reduce it by hardening security controls.
Custom Simulation Authoring. While pre-built simulations are useful, being able to customize tests tailored to your environment is important to get meaningful results.
Reconnaissance Engines. Look for BAS tools that can automatically map your attack surface and feed findings into exploit engines to simulate how attackers would leverage reconnaissance intel.
Compliance Frameworks. Solutions that map findings to compliance frameworks like PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and NIST CSF simplify audits and demonstrate due diligence.
Taking these requirements into account, we compared the top BAS vendors across over 25 other evaluation criteria. Here are the results:
The 10 Best BAS Platforms for 2023
1. Cymulate
With the most comprehensive attack library covering over 40 MITRE tactics and techniques, an intuitive SaaS platform, and powerful reporting, Cymulate earns the #1 spot.
2. SafeBreach
SafeBreach stands out for its enormous library of 25,000+ exploits and ability to conduct very large-scale simulations to reflect real-world conditions.
3. AttackIQ
AttackIQ takes a unique approach by testing systems that leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning – an important capability as AIdriven security tools gain adoption.
4. Pentera
Pentera complements vulnerability scanning by performing sophisticated attack emulation spanning reconnaissance to lateral movement phases.
5. ReliaQuest GreyMatter
In addition to BAS, GreyMatter provides managed threat hunting and intelligence – an appealing package for lean security teams.
6. Threatcare
Threatcare is a more affordable SaaS solution well-suited to small/medium businesses, but scales to larger enterprises.
7. Scythe
With robust REST APIs and integration with popular orchestration tools, Scythe stands out for automation possibilities to embed BAS in CI/CD pipelines.
8. Picus
Picus offers an impressive range of pre-built scenarios aligned with the latest Tactics, Techniques & Procedures (TTPs) seen in the wild.
9. XM Cyber
XM Cyber complements simulation of endpoint and network attacks with continuous exposure analysis and prioritized remediation advice across hybrid environments.
10. Randori Recon
Recon takes a unique external vantage point, simulating attacks from outside your network perimeter to provide valuable context beyond internal pentests.
Key Takeaways
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Regularly conduct cyberattack simulations to proactively find and mitigate risk exposure using BAS platforms.
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Prioritize solutions that integrate with your tech stack, provide detailed reporting/analytics, and offer customization.
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Focus evaluations beyond checking boxes on features to consider real user experiences specific to team workflows.
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Treat selection as an ongoing process – continuously evaluate vendors/solutions as new innovations emerge.
By leveraging the most capable BAS tool for your needs, you can gain significant advantage over attackers through continuous security testing. Reach out if you need help designing or improving your BAS program.
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