Tools and Resources
Security Assessment Tools
The best security tool is the one your team actually uses consistently—choose tools that integrate into existing workflows rather than creating new ones.
Vulnerability Scanners
Shift Left with IaC Scanning
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) scanners like Checkov, Terrascan, and tfsec catch security misconfigurations before infrastructure is deployed. Integrate these into your CI/CD pipeline to prevent issues rather than discovering them in production.
- Network: Nessus, OpenVAS, Rapid7 Nexpose
- Web Applications: OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, Acunetix
- Database: SQLmap, NoSQLmap
- Container: Clair, Trivy, Twistlock
- Infrastructure as Code: Checkov, Terrascan, tfsec
Security Testing Frameworks
- OWASP Security Knowledge Framework (SKF): Training and guidance
- Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool: STRIDE-based threat modeling
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework Tools: Implementation guidance
- MITRE ATT&CK: Threat intelligence and testing
Penetration Testing Tools
- Kali Linux: Comprehensive penetration testing distribution
- Metasploit: Exploitation framework
- Nmap: Network discovery and security auditing
- Wireshark: Network protocol analyzer
- John the Ripper: Password cracking tool
Security Monitoring and Response
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Enterprise SIEM
- Splunk
- IBM QRadar
- ArcSight
Best for: Large organizations with dedicated security teams and budgets
Cloud-Native SIEM
- AWS Security Hub
- Azure Sentinel
- Google Chronicle
Best for: Cloud-first organizations seeking tight integration with cloud platforms
Open Source SIEM Options
The ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) and OSSIM provide open source alternatives to commercial SIEM platforms. These require more setup and tuning but offer cost-effective solutions for organizations with technical expertise.
Threat Intelligence Platforms
- Commercial: Recorded Future, CrowdStrike, FireEye
- Open Source: MISP, OpenCTI, YARA
- Government: US-CERT, CISA alerts, threat feeds
Compliance and Governance Tools
Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
Cloud-Based GRC for Startups and SMBs
Modern cloud-based GRC platforms like Carbide, Vanta, and Drata offer automated compliance monitoring and evidence collection at a fraction of the cost of enterprise solutions. These tools are particularly well-suited for startups pursuing SOC 2, ISO 27001, or HIPAA compliance.
- Enterprise: ServiceNow GRC, RSA Archer, MetricStream
- Cloud-Based: Carbide, Vanta, Drata
- Specialized: Compliance frameworks automation
Risk Assessment Tools
- Quantitative: FAIR (Factor Analysis of Information Risk)
- Qualitative: Risk matrices and scoring systems
- Hybrid: Combines quantitative and qualitative approaches
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