As organizations adopt new digital technologies to streamline operations and automate processes, they also expose themselves to new vulnerabilities and cybersecurity risks. That’s where penetration testing, commonly known as “pen testing,” comes in.
By simulating real-world cyberattacks, pen testing identifies your security gaps before hackers do. The benefits of pen testing go far beyond just finding weaknesses; they help you secure systems and data and ensure compliance.
Why Penetration Testing Matters
Today’s cyber threats can be sophisticated, fast, and relentless. Online cybercriminals often use complex techniques and automated tools to gain unauthorized access to your network by exploiting weaknesses. Without regular testing, your network, applications, and data are vulnerable to intrusion.
Did You Know? 16% of security vulnerabilities identified in tested applications are rated medium, high, or critical.
What Is Pen Testing and Who Needs It?
Penetration testing (or “pen” testing) is the process of simulating cyberattacks on your systems to uncover exploitable vulnerabilities. Regular penetration testing is an essential part of any comprehensive information security strategy. The benefits of pen testing include:
- Ensuring compliance with government and industry regulations and certification frameworks
- Protecting you from litigation after an incident
- Managing risk better in the future when it’s incorporated into an information security program
If your organization handles sensitive data, uses cloud platforms, or has remote staff, you need pen testing.
Pen Testing vs. Vulnerability Scanning
Many organizations confuse pen testing with vulnerability scanning. While both are important, they have different purposes:
- Vulnerability scanning detects and identifies potential issues
- Pen testing actively attempts to expose a variety of security issues, simulating real-world attacks
The difference between the two methods matters. Understanding whether a vulnerability is truly exploitable helps you prioritize remediation efforts more effectively.
Common Issues Uncovered by Pen Testing
Penetration testing can expose a wide range of security risks, including:
- Encryption issues: For example, a single unsecured database once exposed 425GB of data in 2019
- Backdoors, application flaws, and outdated or unpatched operating systems
- Weak passwords: 65% of users use the same password for multiple accounts
- Insider user behaviors: Insider threats have increased by 47% since 2018
- Misconfigured networks: For example, a 8TB data leak occurred from a French news outlet
Since the pandemic, cybercrime has surged. Malicious email attacks alone jumped 600%, according to UN reports. If you haven’t implemented regular pen testing, now is the time.
Did You Know? It’s crucial to test security from both inside and outside your network. Different vulnerabilities will exist outside your firewalls than inside, so include both in your penetration testing plans.
Implementing a Pen Testing Strategy
So, how do you implement a strategy and gain the benefits of pen testing? The first thing is to schedule regular tests. Penetration testing is not a “one-and-done” solution. A secure system today doesn’t guarantee complete safety against new threats in the future.
Studies have shown that 86% of vulnerabilities can be patched within 24 hours, so regular testing can vastly improve your information security.
The Pen Testing Process: 5 Key Stages
Here are the structured, key stages of how penetration testing typically happens:
- Planning – Define scope, tools, and systems to test
- Scanning – Examine system codes in static and dynamic states
- Simulated Attacks – Stage system attacks and to expose vulnerabilities weaknesses
- Maintaining Access – Determine how long persistent or unauthorized access can occur
- Analysis – Review and report findings, risks, and recommendations
Types of Pen Tests
Different vulnerabilities exist inside and outside your network, which is why an effective pen testing strategy should include a mix of tests:
- Internal testing identifies risks from insiders or compromised accounts
- External testing targets public-facing systems like websites, email, and DNS
- Black Box testing is when a hacker has no knowledge of your systems
- White Box testing is when a hacker has detailed knowledge of your systems
- Covert testing is when internal teams don’t know it’s happening
Get Expert Help With Your Pen Testing Strategy
The benefits of pen testing are clear, but not everyone has the in-house expertise to conduct it regularly. That’s where our team at AISN comes in.
Our experts have years of experience helping organizations like yours implement effective, repeatable penetration tests. If you have questions, or need help implementing a penetration testing program, contact us today and get a quote.