As internet use grows, cybersecurity becomes ever more vital to business success. With the global average data breach cost of $4.24 million, businesses need reliable cybersecurity technology and services to protect their data.
An effective tool in a business’ cybersecurity strategy is penetration testing. The penetration testing process is the most effective way for an organization to gain a complete picture of their security posture. Understanding penetration testing and how it can benefit your business or organization can help you decide whether it is a good fit for you.
Penetration testing, also called pen testing or security pen testing, is a simulated cyberattack against an organization’s security policies. The penetration team performs the attempted attack using various tools and strategies to gain access to systems and information. The primary goal is to find a system’s vulnerabilities before cybercriminals do and strengthen them against a potential attack.
Penetration testers work with an organization to test security solutions currently in place. Through penetration testing, organizations can attempt to exploit potential weak spots in the following systems:
The penetration testing process identifies issues and helps businesses implement more effective cybersecurity controls. Penetration testing can also help an organization solve problems with its:
Penetration testing involves different hacking techniques to evaluate multiple security measures. These strategies may include the following.
Penetration testing is a form of ethical hacking that exposes an organization’s vulnerabilities so it can improve its security measures. This procedure can benefit organizations that believe their data is secure but may have weak spots they want to address.
Some small businesses might not see the importance of penetration testing, thinking cyberattacks aren’t as much of an issue for them. Small businesses might also believe their data isn’t worth stealing. However, cybercriminals may find small businesses attractive targets because they lack the security infrastructure of larger corporations and organizations. Even small companies have information cybercriminals could use, including:
Small business penetration testing helps companies protect this information and proactively develop strategies for defending their systems against attack. With pen testing for small businesses, companies can learn how to manage their susceptibility to attack and gain valuable insight into the most effective information security risk management strategies.
Penetration testing is a thorough, carefully researched process with several stages.
Preparation for the penetration testing process is essential. The organization and testing team must agree on the test’s goals and scope. In this stage, the organization decides the test’s timing, which methods to use, who should know about the test, and how much information the testers will have.
In this stage, the testers conduct reconnaissance and gather as much information as possible about the targeted network, systems, users, and applications. Collecting information helps the test team understand how their target works and identify its potential vulnerabilities. The test team might gather information such as:
During the penetration attempt, testers seek to bypass the organization’s security controls and gain access to systems and applications run by the organization. The testing team analyzes the organization’s weak spots through scanning and other tools. The team exploits any known vulnerabilities, including the organization’s staff. Depending on their goals, the team may see how far they can infiltrate the system and how much data they can obtain.
After the testing team is complete, the testers prepare a detailed report communicating the access they were able to achieve and the vulnerabilities they exploited to gain this access. The results of penetration tests are valuable security planning tools because they describe the vulnerabilities that an attacker might exploit to gain access to a network. The report also includes advice on improving the organization’s security posture.
At the conclusion of the penetration test, pen testers should be careful not to leave a trace of their presence in the organization’s network. Testers should remove any tools that they installed on systems as well as any persistence mechanisms that they put in place. Attackers could leverage any evidence the testing team leaves behind.
Penetration testing is most effective when completed over time. The organization can use the testing report to implement security solutions in preparation for potential attacks. However, hackers and technology are constantly changing. With multiple tests, organizations can continually improve their processes.
Businesses and organizations that have never performed penetration testing might have questions about the process. Here are answers to some common penetration testing questions.
Penetration testing can be on-site or remote, depending on the testing team’s capabilities. Remote penetration testing provides several advantages.
Businesses should have regular penetration testing to ensure their networks and systems are effective against emerging cyber threats. It can also be beneficial to have penetration testing done whenever security changes significantly, such as when the organization:
Penetration tests are comprehensive evaluations of an organization’s network security that provide detailed recommendations for enhancing protections. As with other cybersecurity services, the cost of penetration testing varies depending on several factors:
Penetration testing is a valuable strategy for improving your organization’s ability to resist cyberattacks. The process arms organizations with insight into their systems and the tools they need to improve them.
When you need penetration testing for your organization, turn to Morefield. We offer a range of business security and IT services to help businesses and organizations understand their security needs. With over 70 years of experience in the industry, we provide unmatched customer care and expertise.
If you’re interested in all-inclusive managed IT services, contact us today or read our customer testimonials to understand our work better.
