Review of Astra Vulnerability Scanning Tool (2024): Astra’s Performance Evaluation
Quick Facts about Astra SecurityInitial Cost: $199 per target monthly
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Astra stands out among security providers by merging automation and manual penetration testing to offer comprehensive security solutions. The tool can execute over 9,000 tests and link with CI/CD platforms for establishing DevSecOps. Astra’s security inspections cover Web App Pentesting, Cloud Security Evaluation, Mobile App Pentesting, and API Assessment.
Although Astra Security is relatively pricier than comparable solutions like Wireshark and Kali Linux, its dynamic dashboard for vulnerability management proves to be more efficient in handling, monitoring, assigning, and updating vulnerabilities compared to most rivals.
Astra Security Pricing Overview
| Packages/Platforms | Web Application | Mobile Application | Cloud Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scanning | $199 per month or $1,999 per year (options for monthly or annual billing) | N/A | N/A |
| Pentesting | $2,499 per year | N/A | |
| Corporate | $3,999 per year | N/A | |
| Standard | Unavailable (N/A) | N/A | Custom quote required (Consult sales) |
| Elite | N/A | N/A | Custom quote required (Consult sales) |
| Trial Version | Trial available for $7 per week | N/A | N/A |
Astra doesn’t provide a free trial, yet it offers paid plans catering to web app, mobile app, and cloud security users, some encompassing both vulnerability scanning and pentesting services.
Web Application Packages
Astra presents subscription options for web app users, offering plans for scanning, pentesting, and enterprise.
Scanning Plan: Priced at $199 per target monthly or $1,999 per target per year. Users benefit from unlimited vulnerability scans with over 9,300 tests and seamless integrations with various third-party tools. Moreover, it includes AI-driven fixing aid. What’s noteworthy about this plan is that users can have a trial at a discounted rate of $7 weekly before committing financially.
SEE: The Top 8 Penetration Testing Tools for 2024 (TechRepublic)
Pentesting Plan: Priced at $5,999 annually per target, billed yearly only. Encompasses all features of the Scanning plan, in addition to cloud security analysis, compliance reporting, and a publicly verifiable pentest certificate.
Corporate Plan: Specially designed for varied infrastructures, costs $9,999 yearly for multiple targets. Encompasses all features of the Pentesting plan along with services like Customer Success Manager, support via Slack Connect or MS Teams, tailored SLA/contracts, and a three-month rescan window.
Mobile Application Packages
Available in two subscription variants — Pentesting and Enterprise.
Pentesting Plan: Tagged at $2,499 annually per target. Includes one vulnerability assessment and penetration test, over 250 test cases, and expert assistance.
SEE: Understanding Cloud Penetration Testing & Its Relevance (TechRepublic)
Enterprise Plan: Starting from $3,999 yearly per target. Encompasses all features of the Pentesting plan plus multiple targets scope, Customer Success Manager, and customized SLA/contracts.
Cloud Security Packages
Comes in Basic and Elite plans.
Basic Plan: Requires a bespoke quotation through sales consultation. Some advantages of this plan
Integrate 180+ security evaluations, review IAM settings, and conduct one reevaluation.
Premium: To access this, you must request a personalized estimate from our sales team. It encompasses all features of the Standard package, along with five team collaborators, two reassessments, and expert assistance.
Highlighted Features of Astra Security
Astra Pentest and Astra Vulnerability Scanner collaborate within the suite to provide continual surveillance, security posture analysis, and additional functionalities. The following are some notable capabilities of Astra that caught my attention.
EXPLORE: Differences Between Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing (TechRepublic)
Detection Tool
The vulnerability detection tool by Astra can execute a comprehensive set of 9,300 analyses, which includes inspections for known CVEs, OWASP Top 10, and SANS 25. During my trial experience conducting scans on progressive web apps and single-page apps, I observed the tool’s ability to examine pages behind the login screen, ensuring comprehensive security coverage throughout the application. One aspect that stands out is the option to procure this tool separately as a plug-and-play software, requiring minimal to zero human intervention.
Automated Scanning through Integration
Astra Pentest facilitates the transition from DevOps to DevSecOps by integrating with CI/CD platforms. This enables you to automate scans where each code update is preceded by a security test resembling a hacker’s approach. During my assessment, I noticed that Astra offers straightforward monitoring of scan progression through Slack and provides collaboration and flagging of vulnerabilities within Jira. You can effortlessly link your Jira account with a project with just a few clicks.
Control Panel for Managing Vulnerabilities
This feature enhances Astra above most contenders as it provides complete insights into your pentest, allowing you to grasp the key metrics of each vulnerability. While navigating the control panel, I noticed Astra’s earnest effort in addressing common customer concerns by meticulously designing the user experience. Additionally, it allows central management of team members accessing various targets. Notably, you can converse with the Astra-naut bot around the clock to immediately address security-related queries.
Manual security test
Astra’s high-tier package includes this functionality, which can address the business logic flaws and problems that automated tools cannot detect. AI is used by Astra to mimic hacker thinking and pinpoint instances of business logic vulnerabilities in applications. Besides scrutinizing business logic errors, Astra’s manual security testing evaluates blind SQL injection, payment manipulation flaws, and template injection.
Advantages of Astra Security
- Conducts 9300+ tests on your assets.
- Can verify ISO 27001, HIPAA, SOC2, or GDPR adherence.
- The dashboard enables monitoring of your team’s performance via intelligent reports.
- Provides a distinct, publicly verifiable security certification.
- Seamless integration with CI/CD tools, Slack, Jira, and more.
SEE: How to Execute a Cybersecurity Risk Assessment in 5 Steps (TechRepublic Premium)
Disadvantages of Astra Security
- Lacks a trial period.
- Monthly subscription exclusively offered in the Scanner package.
- Pricier in comparison to its rivals.
Substitutes for Astra Security
| Astra Security | Acunetix | Metasploit | Kali Linux | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | $199 per target monthly | Pricing undisclosed. Requires customized quote | Metasploit Frame free, Metasploit Pro quotation required | Free |
| Integration with other services | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vulnerability testing | 9,300+ | 7,000+ | Information not available | 600+ |
| Free trial available | No | No | Yes | Absolutely Free |
| Deployment method | Cloud-based | On-premise/Cloud | On-premise/Cloud | OS/Live boot |
Acunetix
Acunetix by Invicti is a robust web application pen-testing tool. While Astra combines vulnerability scanning and manual pen testing, Acunetix excels in automated pentesting. I appreciate Acunetix’s categorization of vulnerabilities into critical, high, medium, and low classes within its dashboard. It also permits unrestricted users and scans.
The Metasploit Tool
Metasploit stands as a reliable Astra Security alternative. Offering both open-source and commercial versions gives users the flexibility of choosing their preferred pen-testing solution. The availability of a 30-day free trial for Metasploit is a notable advantage compared to Astra Security’s lack of a trial period. Although the framework version has limited functionalities, its straightforward web interface and complimentary edition for developers and researchers make it a competitive option against Astra Security.
Kali Linux
Kali Linux is an open-source pen testing distribution running on Debian-based Linux. Designed primarily for experienced users adept at command-line interfaces, Kali Linux upfront addresses the tool’s suitability for seasoned pen testers and proficient Linux users, adjusting the expectation for general consumers. Despite supporting around 600 penetration testing tools only, its free-of-charge nature makes it a feasible choice for those unable to afford Astra Security.
Approach
My evaluation of this product relied on two key components — direct interaction with the tool and insights from Astra Security’s official product literature, user feedback, and use cases. During the trial period at $7 per week, I observed the scanner’s examination of pages behind my login interface to ensure extensive security coverage for all areas. Astra’s capabilities include providing comprehensive insights into each found vulnerability, a vital aspect in any security solution — total transparency. The user-friendly dashboard allows monitoring team progress through intelligent reporting. Additionally, I accessed 24×7 support with the Astra-naut bot for immediate responses to security queries. These aspects culminated in the product being recognized as one of the top vulnerability scanners in 2024.
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