Certified: The Security+ Prepcast

In our last episode, we explored how organizations identify vulnerabilities through scanning, code analysis, and package monitoring. Those methods focused on examining internal assets and applications. But vulnerability identification does not end there. Many threats come from the outside—and staying ahead of them requires tapping into broader intelligence sources, offensive testing strategies, and community-based reporting. In this episode, we continue our exploration of vulnerability identification by covering threat intelligence, penetration testing, and the role of responsible disclosure and bug bounty programs.
We begin with threat feeds and intelligence. Threat intelligence is the process of gathering and analyzing information about current and emerging threats. This includes data on known vulnerabilities, malware campaigns, attacker tactics, and indicators of compromise. When used correctly, threat intelligence helps organizations discover weaknesses before they are exploited and respond to threats more effectively.
One important source of intelligence is open-source intelligence, or OSINT. Open-source intelligence includes publicly available data from forums, websites, security blogs, social media, vulnerability databases, and more. It can reveal newly disclosed vulnerabilities, proof-of-concept exploits, or attacker behavior trends. Organizations use open-source intelligence to stay informed and to adjust their defenses in real time. For example, if a new remote code execution vulnerability is disclosed in a popular web server, OSINT sources may provide early warnings and mitigation steps long before a formal patch is released.
While open-source intelligence is freely available, many organizations also subscribe to proprietary or third-party threat intelligence services. These services offer curated, verified, and often more actionable data than what is found in open channels. Some provide industry-specific feeds, real-time alerts, or integrations with security platforms. Others offer context, such as attribution, risk scoring, or recommended responses. Using a mix of open-source and proprietary intelligence gives organizations both breadth and depth in their awareness of vulnerabilities and threats.
Another key source of intelligence comes from information-sharing organizations. These groups bring together peers from the same industry or region to exchange insights, experiences, and threat data. For example, the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center helps banks share information about fraud, malware, and insider threats. By participating in these organizations, companies gain early visibility into emerging attacks and can collaborate on coordinated responses.
Some intelligence providers also monitor the dark web. This includes hidden forums, underground marketplaces, and encrypted chat channels where threat actors exchange tools, tactics, and stolen data. Dark web monitoring can reveal if an organization’s data has already been compromised, if its software is being targeted, or if specific assets are being discussed. While it is not a substitute for internal scanning or testing, dark web intelligence adds an external layer of visibility that helps security teams react to threats that may not yet appear in mainstream channels.
Now let’s move to penetration testing. Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing are often confused, but they serve different purposes. A vulnerability scan is automated and designed to identify known weaknesses across a large number of systems. A penetration test, by contrast, is a manual or semi-automated attempt to exploit those weaknesses—to see what an attacker could actually do if they gained access.
Penetration testing involves simulating a real-world attack against your systems, applications, or networks. The goal is not just to identify vulnerabilities but to demonstrate how they could be exploited, what data could be accessed, and how far an attacker could move within the environment. Penetration testers use the same tools and techniques as malicious hackers, but with permission and clear rules of engagement. This allows organizations to evaluate their defenses under realistic conditions.
There are several types of penetration testing. In a known environment test, the tester has full access to information about the systems, including configurations, IP ranges, and software versions. In a partially known environment, the tester has limited information—mimicking an insider threat. In an unknown environment, the tester knows nothing in advance and must gather information from scratch—just like a real attacker would. These different models help organizations assess their readiness against various types of threats.
For example, a healthcare provider conducts a penetration test to evaluate the security of its patient portal. The tester is able to bypass weak input validation, escalate privileges, and extract sample data from a backend server. The test results include screenshots, logs, and recommended fixes. This provides the organization with clear evidence of what needs to be addressed and helps prioritize remediation efforts. Without the penetration test, the vulnerabilities might have gone unnoticed—or worse, been exploited by a real attacker.
Penetration tests are also valuable for validating the effectiveness of controls. For example, if a firewall is configured to block traffic from unauthorized networks, a penetration tester might attempt to circumvent that control using a spoofed address or encrypted tunnel. If successful, the test highlights the need for stronger validation or logging. These exercises improve security posture through hands-on learning and real-world validation.
Now let’s discuss responsible disclosure and bug bounty programs. Responsible disclosure is a structured process that allows ethical hackers, also known as security researchers, to report vulnerabilities they discover in an organization’s systems. When a researcher finds a flaw, they notify the organization privately, giving it time to verify and fix the issue before the details are made public. This helps organizations close security gaps without the panic or damage of a public disclosure.
To support responsible disclosure, many organizations publish vulnerability disclosure policies. These policies outline how to report vulnerabilities, what response time to expect, and what legal protections are in place for researchers who act in good faith. Creating a clear disclosure process encourages collaboration with the security community and helps prevent misunderstandings or legal conflicts. It also shows a commitment to transparency and improvement.
Bug bounty programs take this idea further. In a bug bounty program, organizations invite security researchers to find vulnerabilities in exchange for monetary rewards. The amount of the reward typically depends on the severity of the vulnerability and the impact it could have. Bug bounty programs provide organizations with continuous external testing and leverage the creativity and persistence of ethical hackers around the world.
A well-known example of a successful bug bounty initiative is the program run by a major social media platform. They offer thousands of dollars to researchers who find serious flaws in their systems. Over the years, this program has identified hundreds of critical issues that could have exposed user data or compromised operations. The company not only benefits from improved security but also builds stronger relationships with the global security community.
Even smaller organizations can participate in disclosure and bounty programs. Some choose to run private bounty programs with selected researchers. Others use platforms that manage submissions, rewards, and researcher vetting on their behalf. Regardless of size, any organization that connects to the internet can benefit from external feedback and ethical hacking.
To summarize, vulnerability identification includes more than just scanning or code review. Threat intelligence provides early warnings from the broader ecosystem, including open-source intelligence, proprietary services, information-sharing networks, and dark web monitoring. Penetration testing simulates real attacks to uncover how vulnerabilities might be exploited and what impact that would have. Responsible disclosure and bug bounty programs engage the ethical hacking community to identify issues proactively and build a stronger security culture.
For the Security Plus exam, be ready to distinguish between scanning and penetration testing, describe the value of threat feeds, and explain how bug bounty programs work. Expect scenario-based questions that ask you to choose the best method for identifying a vulnerability in a given context. Review terms like open-source intelligence, coordinated disclosure, and red team testing—they often appear in exam content.