What is the difference between Vulnerability Scanner and DAST?

A vulnerability scanner and DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) serve different purposes in cybersecurity, though both aim to identify security weaknesses.

Vulnerability scanners are automated tools that scan entire networks, systems, or applications to identify known vulnerabilities, such as outdated software, misconfigurations, or missing patches. They offer a broad assessment of security posture, typically focusing on identifying known issues in infrastructure, operating systems, and services. These tools are often used for compliance and general security health checks.

DAST, on the other hand, specifically focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in running web applications by simulating external attacks. While vulnerability scanners might flag system issues, DAST tests the application’s behavior during execution, exposing flaws like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and authentication issues.

In short, vulnerability scanners are broader and focus on infrastructure security, while DAST zeroes in on application security by mimicking real-world attacks.