Proactive Cybersecurity
Starts Here!
Cyberthreats today have increased both in volume and severity. Any business, regardless of size, can fall prey to a cyberattack. That’s why you must have the upper hand in this ongoing battle.
Regular assessment of your network is essential to gauge
your cybersecurity effectiveness. A network penetration
test (pen test) is a security test in which experts attempt to
hack into your network to identify potential vulnerabilities
that malicious actors could exploit.
With penetration testing, or pen testing, you can proactively secure your business against evolving threats by simulating real-world scenarios.
Step-By-Step Process
The initial phase of Penetration Testing is crucial for establishing a solid foundation. It begins with defining the scope and objectives of the test, which includes identifying the systems to be tested and the methodologies to be employed. During this stage, testers gather essential information such as network details, domain names, and mail server data. This reconnaissance helps in understanding the target’s operational environment and potential vulnerabilities, setting the stage for a focused and effective testing process.
In this step, the focus shifts to understanding how the target application responds to various intrusion attempts. Scanning involves two key techniques: static analysis and dynamic analysis. Static analysis entails examining the application’s code to predict its behaviour during execution, allowing for a comprehensive scan of the entire codebase at once. On the other hand, dynamic analysis involves evaluating the application’s code in real-time as it runs, providing a practical and real-world perspective on its performance. Together, these analyses help identify potential weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors.
Once potential vulnerabilities are identified, the next step is to exploit them to gain access. Testers use web application attacks such as cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and backdoors to uncover and exploit these weaknesses. The goal is to escalate privileges, steal data, intercept traffic, and assess the extent of potential damage. This step is critical for understanding how far an attacker could penetrate the system and the impact they could cause.
After gaining access, the objective is to determine if the vulnerabilities can be leveraged to maintain prolonged access to the system. This step simulates advanced persistent threats, where malicious actors stay undetected for extended periods to extract sensitive information. By mimicking these scenarios, testers can assess the resilience of the system against long-term infiltration and data exfiltration attempts.
The final step involves compiling a detailed report of the findings. This report includes specific vulnerabilities that were exploited, sensitive data that was accessed, and the duration of undetected presence within the system. Security teams analyse this information to optimise Web Application Firewall (WAF) settings and enhance overall application security measures. The insights gained from this analysis are crucial for patching vulnerabilities and fortifying the system against future attacks, thereby improving the organisation’s cybersecurity posture.
Benefits of Pen Testing
REAL-WORLD SIMULATION
Simulates a cyberattack to assess your security measures.
RISK PRIORITISATION
Prioritises vulnerabilities by degree of risk, addressing critical issues first.
VULNERABILITY IDENTIFICATION
Exposes security vulnerabilities to reveal potential entry points.
COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY ASSESSMENT
Evaluates current security controls to ensure systems can withstand cyberthreats.
RISK MITIGATION
Enables effective prioritisation and mitigation of potential cyber-risks.
COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS
Maintains compliance to avoid legal and financial consequences.
CUSTOMER DATA PROTECTION
Addresses vulnerabilities that lead to breaches, identity theft or unauthorized access.
PROACTIVE OFFENSE
Proactively reduces attack vectors through regular assessments.
THREAT DEFENSE
Identifies vulnerabilities missed by traditional security measures.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Penetration Testing, commonly known as pen testing, is a proactive cybersecurity practice where authorized security experts simulate cyber attacks on a computer system to evaluate its security posture. This simulated attack aims to uncover vulnerabilities that malicious hackers could exploit and helps organizations strengthen their defenses.
Penetration Testing is crucial for organizations to identify and address security weaknesses before they are exploited by real attackers. By mimicking the tactics of cybercriminals, organizations can proactively protect their systems, data, and reputation. Regular pen tests also help in compliance with industry regulations and standards.
There are various types of Penetration Testing, including:
- External Testing: Simulating attacks from outside the network.
- Internal Testing: Assessing the security within the network.
- Web Application Testing: Focusing on web applications for vulnerabilities.
- Social Engineering: Testing human susceptibility to manipulation that can also be done through phishing simulation.
- Wireless Network Testing: Evaluating wireless network security.
- Physical Penetration Testing: Assessing physical security measures.
The frequency of Penetration Testing depends on factors such as the organization’s industry, regulatory requirements, and the rate of system changes. In general, it is recommended to conduct Penetration Testing at least annually or after significant changes to the network or applications. Regular testing helps maintain a strong security posture and adapt to evolving threats.
Penetration testing can help organisations comply with data security and privacy regulations by finding ways that sensitive data could be exposed. This helps them keep data secure and private, ensuring no one sees sensitive data who should not be able to. Pen testing is also required by some data regulations. For instance, PCI DSS version 4.0, section 11.4, requires organisations to use penetration testing.
Related Solutions
Why Solutions IT?
We Go Beyond Traditional Security Assessments
Cost-effective and efficient, our penetration testing solution mirrors actual cyberattacks to test the effectiveness of your security preparedness.
Traditional assessments have limitations and can only demonstrate a point-in-time snapshot of your network. Our service performs regular full-scale network penetration tests to ensure your network stays secure and resistant to cyberattacks.
Get on the offensive and fortify your defenses by finding and fixing weaknesses and vulnerabilities before malicious hackers do.
