What Is a Penetration Test?

You know you need one, but what exactly is a pen test? A penetration test, also known as a pen test, assesses the security of a computer system, network, or web application by simulating an attack from an adversary. This testing involves using tools and techniques to exploit known vulnerabilities or misconfigurations in an organization’s security infrastructure. A penetration test aims to identify vulnerabilities before an attacker does and provide actionable recommendations for improving security.

Why Conduct a Penetration Test?

There are several reasons why an organization may choose to conduct a penetration test. Here are a few of the most common ones:

1. To identify security weaknesses. Penetration tests help identify security weaknesses that may not have been discovered during a regular security audit. By identifying these weaknesses, organizations can take steps to remediate them and reduce the risk of a successful cyber attack.
2. To comply with regulations. Many regulatory bodies, such as PCI-DSS and HIPAA, require organizations to perform regular security testing to ensure compliance. A penetration test can help meet these regulatory requirements and avoid potential penalties.
3. To validate security controls. Penetration testing can help validate that security controls are working as intended and ensure that sensitive data is adequately secured.
4. To improve incident response. By testing the organization’s incident response capabilities during a simulated attack, the organization can identify areas for improvement and ensure that they are prepared to respond to an actual attack.

Types of Penetration Testing

There are several types of penetration testing, including:

1. External Testing. This type of testing involves simulating an attack from outside the organization’s network, typically through the Internet.
2. Internal Testing. This type of testing involves simulating an attack from within the organization’s network, such as from a rogue employee or a compromised system.
3. Web Application Testing. This type of testing focuses on web applications and involves testing for vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and authentication flaws.
4. Mobile Application Testing. This type of testing focuses on mobile applications and involves testing for vulnerabilities such as insecure data storage and weak authentication.
5. Wireless Network Testing. This type of testing focuses on wireless networks and involves testing for vulnerabilities such as weak encryption and unauthorized access.

The Penetration Testing Process

The penetration testing process typically involves several steps, including:

1. Planning and Reconnaissance. This phase involves gathering information about the target system, network, or application, including IP addresses, domain names, and other publicly available information.
2. Scanning. This phase involves using tools to scan for vulnerabilities such as open ports, known vulnerabilities, and misconfigurations.
3. Gaining Access. This phase exploits the vulnerabilities discovered during the scanning phase to access the target system or network.
4. Maintaining Access. This phase involves maintaining access to the target system or network to assess the extent of the vulnerabilities.
5. Analysis and Reporting. This phase involves analyzing the penetration test results and preparing a report that identifies vulnerabilities, prioritizes them based on risk, and provides recommendations for remediation.

Act Before an Attacker Does

A penetration test is an essential component of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy. By identifying vulnerabilities before an attacker does, organizations can take proactive steps to remediate them and reduce the risk of a successful cyber attack. With a better understanding of the penetration testing process and the types of testing available, information security engineers can make more informed decisions about the appropriate testing strategy for their organization.

Need help acting before an attacker does? We do penetration tests routinely for our clients in the private and public sectors, and we can do one for you too. Contact us today to begin a conversation and get a quote.

Laurie Head has over 25 years of IT industry experience and is a co-owner of AIS Network.