Security Testing on Production Systems

[Charles Swiger]

On May 15, 2006, at 4:54 PM, TRODAT wrote:
> This is a hot topic as of late where I work:
>
> Once a system has gone into 'production' should testing,  
> specifically security, be done on it if the system could be broken  
> by the test itself?
>
> What is your take on this issue and why?

Yes, although you should schedule possible intrusive or disruptive  
security/pentesting for an appropriate time where you can afford to  
recover from any problems which occur.

Most systems which fail under testing have sufficient issues that  
they fail under some naturally-occurring load conditions.  Backups  
are your friends.

-- 
-Chuck