Penetration testing is a type of security assessment that is used to identify security weaknesses in computer systems, networks, applications, and other IT infrastructure. The goal of penetration testing is to provide organizations with an understanding of the security of their systems and to identify potential vulnerabilities that may be exploited by malicious attackers. In today’s article from Cyberstone, we are going to discuss exactly what penetration testing is and how it can be used to increase security. Read on to learn more.
What Is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing is a type of security testing that is used to evaluate the security of a computer system or network by simulating an attack from a malicious individual or group. It is a method of testing the security of a system by having an ethical hacker attempt to break into it.
The Benefits of Penetration Testing
The benefits of penetration testing are numerous. It can help organizations identify and address potential weaknesses in their systems, identify areas of improvement, and develop effective strategies to protect their systems from potential attacks. It can also help organizations to improve their compliance with industry standards and best practices.
The Penetration Testing Process
At Cyberstone, our penetration testing process has five steps, including:
- Planning: During the planning phase, the ethical hacker will meet with someone from the organization and discuss terms and conditions, better known as rules of engagement (ROE).
- Reconnaissance: Next, the ethical hacker will gather information that is publicly available about the company along with any breached credentials they can locate. They will also scan for common vulnerabilities and exposures, thus imitating the process of an actual hacker.
- Attack Planning and Exploitation: The ethical hacker will then use the information they discovered in the previous phase to draft unique attack strategies and attempt to compromise or circumvent security defenses to gain unauthorized access, or control of target assets.
- Reporting: Once the penetration testing is complete, we provide a thorough report to the organization detailing the findings as well as recommendations on how to improve the security of their system.
- Presentation of Findings: The Ethical Hacker will meet with stakeholders from the customer to review the final report, answer questions and provide direction for making improvements.
The Goal of Penetration Testing
The main goal of penetration testing is to test the effectiveness of cybersecurity defenses, or controls to very they are working as intended.. The results of the test can also be used to understand weaknesses and flaws and take corrective actions leading to a more secure environment.
Protect Your Organization With Penetration Testing
By performing penetration testing, organizations can protect their systems from malicious attacks and help ensure the safety of their data. If you’d like to learn more about penetration testing, reach out to Cyberstone today.