Application penetration testing, also known as app pen testing, is a security testing process that involves simulating an attack on an application to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. The goal of app pen testing is to identify and assess the security risks and vulnerabilities present in an application, and to provide recommendations for mitigating those risks.

App pen testing typically involves the following steps:

1. Planning: The first step in app pen testing is to plan the testing process. This may involve identifying the scope of the test, the types of vulnerabilities that will be tested, and the methods and tools that will be used.

2. Reconnaissance: The next step is to conduct reconnaissance, which involves gathering information about the application and its environment to identify potential vulnerabilities. This may involve reviewing the application’s source code, network infrastructure, and other resources.

3. Testing: During the testing phase, the tester will attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to the application or its data. This may involve trying different attack techniques and tools to see if the application is vulnerable.

4. Reporting: After the testing is complete, the tester will produce a report outlining the vulnerabilities that were found, their severity, and recommendations for mitigating the risks.

Overall, app pen testing is an important part of a comprehensive security strategy. It can help organisation’s identify and fix vulnerabilities before they are exploited attackers, and can help improve the overall security of the application.

The length of time it takes to complete an application penetration test (app pen test) can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the complexity of the application, the scope of the test, and the expertise of the testing team.

As a rough estimate, an app pen test for a simple application with a limited scope could take a few days to a week to complete. For a more complex application with a wider scope, the test could take several weeks or even months to complete.

The length of time it takes to complete an app pen test also depends on the testing methods and tools used, as well as the availability of the testing team and the application. For example, if the application is in production and can only be tested during certain times, this could impact the length of the test.

Overall, it is important for organizations to carefully plan and coordinate app pen testing to ensure that it is completed in a timely manner and that any identified vulnerabilities are addressed in a timely manner.

The cost of an application penetration test (app pen test) can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors, including the complexity of the application, the scope of the test, and the expertise of the testing team.

As a rough estimate, the cost of an app pen test can range from a few thousand dollars for a simple app with a limited scope, to tens of thousands of dollars or more for a more complex app with a wider scope.

Factors that can impact the cost of an app pen test include:

1. The size and complexity of the application: The larger and more complex the application, the more time and resources it will take to test, which can increase the cost.

2. The scope of the test: The scope of the test, or the specific areas of the application that will be tested, can also impact the cost. A wider scope, such as testing the entire application and its infrastructure, will generally be more expensive than a more limited scope.

3. The testing team: The expertise and experience of the testing team can also impact the cost. A team with more expertise and experience may charge more for their services than a less experienced team.

Overall, it is important for organizations to carefully consider their budget and the specific needs of their application when determining the cost of an app pen test. It may also be helpful to compare quotes from multiple testing firms to get a sense of the market rate for app pen testing services.

After an application penetration test (app pen test) is completed, the testing team will typically produce a report outlining the vulnerabilities that were identified, their severity, and recommendations for mitigating the risks.

The report will typically include details on the specific vulnerabilities that were identified, including how they were discovered and what impact they could have on the application. The report will also include recommendations for addressing the vulnerabilities, such as applying patches or implementing specific security controls.

After receiving the report, it is important for the organization to carefully review the recommendations and take steps to address the identified vulnerabilities. This may involve working with the testing team or other security experts to implement the recommended fixes and controls.

In some cases, the organization may need to prioritize the vulnerabilities based on their severity and the potential impact they could have on the application. It is important to address the most critical vulnerabilities first to minimize the risk of an attack.

Overall, the goal of the app pen test is to identify and address vulnerabilities in the application to improve its overall security. It is important for the organization to carefully review the test results and take the necessary steps to address any identified vulnerabilities.