Getting Started
Welcome to SPEAR - the Security Posture Evaluation And Response platform. This guide will help you get started with using SPEAR for your penetration testing and security assessment workflows.
First Login
Section titled “First Login”When you first access SPEAR, you’ll be presented with the login screen. Enter the credentials provided by your administrator.
After logging in, you’ll see the main dashboard with quick access to your assigned projects, recent reports, and key metrics.
Platform Overview
Section titled “Platform Overview”SPEAR is organized into five main modules, each designed for a specific phase of the security assessment lifecycle:
| Module | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Sales & Scoping | Client management, scoping questionnaires, and proposal generation |
| Project Management | Engagement tracking, team assignment, and scheduling |
| Operations | Asset management, vulnerability tracking, and scan imports |
| Reporting | Collaborative report editing with findings management |
| Administration | User management, branding, and system configuration |
Navigation
Section titled “Navigation”Sidebar Navigation
Section titled “Sidebar Navigation”The left sidebar provides access to all modules and features:
- Dashboard - Overview of your work and quick metrics
- Clients - Client directory and contact management
- Projects - Active and completed engagements
- Reports - Report editor and document management
- Assets - Target assets and scope management
- Vulnerabilities - Findings and vulnerability database
- Settings - Personal preferences and account settings
Quick Actions
Section titled “Quick Actions”The top navigation bar includes:
- Search - Global search across all modules
- Notifications - Alerts and activity updates
- User Menu - Profile, preferences, and logout
Your First Project
Section titled “Your First Project”Most users will start by either:
- Consultants: Reviewing an assigned project and beginning work on the report
- Project Managers: Creating a new project from a scoped engagement
- Administrators: Setting up users and configuring organization settings
For Consultants
Section titled “For Consultants”- Navigate to Projects in the sidebar
- Select your assigned project from the list
- Review the project scope and assets
- Open the associated report to begin documentation
For Project Managers
Section titled “For Project Managers”- Review incoming scopes in Sales & Scoping
- Convert approved scopes to projects
- Assign team members and set schedules
- Monitor progress through status reports
Key Features
Section titled “Key Features”Collaborative Reporting
Section titled “Collaborative Reporting”SPEAR’s report editor supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple team members to work on the same report simultaneously. Changes are synchronized instantly across all connected users.
Findings Library
Section titled “Findings Library”Build a reusable library of vulnerability findings. When you encounter the same issue across engagements, import it from your library with a single click.
Automated Exports
Section titled “Automated Exports”Generate professional PDF and DOCX reports with customizable themes and branding. Reports automatically include executive summaries, technical details, and remediation guidance.
Getting Help
Section titled “Getting Help”- Use the ? icon in the top navigation for contextual help
- Check the module-specific documentation in this guide
- Contact your administrator for access or permission issues
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”Explore the documentation for your primary workflow:
- Sales & Scoping Overview - Managing clients and proposals
- Project Management - Running engagements
- Report Editor Guide - Creating professional reports
- Administration - System configuration (admins only)