The basics of penetration testing

As businesses evolve and grow in a shifting economic landscape, securing your organization against cyber attacks has never been more critical. Penetration testing reports reveal that 93% of network perimeters are vulnerable to infiltration, making it essential to identify and address weaknesses in your IT systems.

Partnering with the right penetration testing company is vital for your risk management program, they enable you to evaluate your current security measures, gain control of your IT infrastructure, and ultimately stay ahead of cyber threats.

In this blog, we address common questions about penetration testing, explain popular test types and methodologies, and emphasize the importance of regular testing and remediation efforts.

What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing, often called pen testing, is a simulated, controlled cyber-attack performed by skilled security experts. Its purpose is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities within your network and IT systems. The findings from a pen test reveal weaknesses across your IT infrastructure, applications, and personnel, along with providing actionable recommendations to mitigate the risk of these vulnerabilities being exploited by potential hackers in the future.

Why is Pen Testing Important?

Pen testing keeps you ahead of cyber threats by providing a proactive approach to identifying and fixing vulnerabilities before hackers can gain access and exploit them. It's like a practice run, allowing you to learn from potential failures without assigning blame to developers or the IT team. Instead, it focuses on strengthening your defences based on the insights gained from the test, ensuring your organization remains secure against evolving threats.

Don’t Forget to Remediate!

Our research shows that even after a penetration test, a quarter of critical or high-risk vulnerabilities remain unaddressed. This means organizations aren't fully acting on the weaknesses identified, leaving them susceptible to cyber hacks and data breaches. An effective penetration test should come with a report that includes prioritized remediation advice, providing clear guidance on the most critical issues to fix first.

Why Get a Penetration Test?

Penetration tests uncover hidden vulnerabilities, allowing businesses to fix them before exploitation. They provide up-to-date security assessments essential for compliance with standards like PCI DSS and ISO 27001. With GDPR increasing data protection demands, penetration tests demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding customer data.

Additionally, penetration tests often reveal gaps in IT and development training, highlighting deficiencies in areas like secure configuration and best practices. This knowledge helps integrate security into the foundational aspects of your infrastructure, enhancing overall protection.

How Often Do You Need a Pen Test?

As businesses evolve and grow in a shifting economic landscape, maintaining robust security measures is crucial. Pen test results are never permanently valid due to ongoing technological advancements and an evolving threat landscape. Generally, annual pen tests are recommended since continuous testing by certified professionals is resource-intensive. Exceptions include:

• Large enterprises with extensive digital footprints, needing more frequent testing as high-value targets.
• Regulated industries with mandatory regular compliance checks.
• Scenarios involving IT system upgrades, new applications, new office setups, or building secure infrastructure for compliance.

Ensuring your testing team holds relevant pen testing certifications enhances the effectiveness and reliability of these tests.

What are the advantages of using a pen tester?

Using pen testers offer many advantages. They help uncover and address security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, ensuring your systems comply with standards like PCI DSS and ISO 27001. They will use their own specialist penetration testing tools like password crackers or vulnerability scanners, to help enhance your overall security posture.

Regular pen testing also builds trust with customers, suppliers, and partners by showing your dedication to data protection. Plus, pen testers offer valuable insights into potential weak spots, guiding targeted improvements and preparing your business better against cyber threats.

What Are the Different Types of Penetration Testing?

Penetration tests come in various forms, each with unique objectives, depths, and durations, tailored to meet specific business needs. The appropriate type of pen test depends on your business requirements. Here are some of the most commonly used types of penetration tests:

What is Black, White, and Grey Box Testing?

Black, white, and grey box testing refer to the different levels of access and prior information granted to the penetration tester before starting the test. Each type provides varying levels of detail depending on the method used. The outcomes of a penetration test can vary based on how much information is shared between the organization and the pen test team.

Black Box Penetration Test

In a black box testing scenario, penetration testers have no prior knowledge of IT systems or login credentials, mimicking a real-world cyber attack. Black box testing demonstrates how hackers might target your organization without user access privileges. However, since no information is provided before the test, certain components may remain untested.

White Box Penetration Test

A white box test gives pen testers full visibility and access, allowing thorough internal testing at all access levels. This approach can provide greater accuracy, as testers have complete knowledge of the environment requiring testing.

Grey Box Penetration Test

Grey box penetration testing employs a mix of white box and black box methods. This is the most common type of pen test, balancing time, cost, and objectives. In this scenario, pen testers have some knowledge of the target, allowing them to simulate an attack from the perspective of a hacker who has already breached the network perimeter.