PENETRATION TESTING
There’s no way around it for modern businesses – cybersecurity needs to be a cornerstone of your IT strategy. Hackers and threats are growing more sophisticated by the day, and you have to stay ahead if you’re going to avoid the expense and reputational damage of a cyber breach.
Penetration Testing, also known as Pen Testing or ethical hacking, is an advanced means of identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities before they’re exploited. It’s a powerful way to safeguard your business and customer data, your systems and your compliance.
As part of our robust approach to cyber security, Smile IT offers penetration testing to businesses of all sizes. Contact us below for more information.
WHAT IS PENETRATION TESTING
A penetration test is a simulation of a cyberattack on your systems, networks or applications. Performed by a cyber security expert, it uses tools and techniques to replicate a real-world attack. This attack helps pick up on any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by actual hackers. Once identified, the weaknesses can be shut down and the cyber defences fortified.
Hackers get smarter and their techniques get more advanced, so many organisations opt for regular pen testing. The tester, often called an ethical hacker, thinks like an actual hacker so they can stay ahead of their malicious intentions. Regular testing means your business is on top of the latest threats and protected against the most recent developments in the hacking world.
TYPES OF PENETRATION TESTING
Multiple types of pen testing are available, which you should be familiar with when choosing a provider. At Smile IT we offer the following types of ethical hacking:
Internal and External Network
Assess your on-premises and cloud networks with an internal network test of assets within your corporate network, and an external test of internet facing and cloud infrastructure. This helps evaluate risks such as sensitive data exposure and unauthorised privilege escalation.
Infrastructure Security Assessment
This looks at the overall security posture of your IT infrastructure. It helps identify weaknesses in your servers, workstations and other network devices, highlighting outdated systems and misconfigurations.
Red Team Assessment
A Red Team assessment comprehensively simulates an advanced real-world attack on your systems. By mimicking the techniques and tactics of malicious hackers, it tests how you detect and respond to breaches.
Social Engineering Assessment
Are your employees equipped and able to identify and respond to social engineering manipulation attempts? This test identifies weaknesses in the human element of your defences, assessing response to phishing emails or fraudulent phone calls.
OT Penetration Testing
Operational Technology (OT) systems, such as industrial control systems and SCADA environments, are crucial in manufacturing, energy, mining and utilities industries. OT pen testing assesses the security of these systems and provides and objective view of your OT security posture.
Database Penetration Testing
This is the process of evaluating the security of your database, uncovering weaknesses in the configuration and access controls that hackers could use to compromise the security of your data.
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STAGES OF PENETRATION TESTING
There are five stages to a typical pen test, each one similar to what a malicious hacker would do when launching an attack on your systems or network. The phases include:
1.Reconnaissance
The scope and goals of the test are defined. Intelligence is gathered on your systems, applications, and networks, with potential entry points for an attack identified.
2.Scanning
How will your defences stand up to an intrusion? This step aims to find out by scanning for open ports, misconfigurations and other exploitable vulnerabilities.
3.Gaining Access
The findings from the scanning stage are used to uncover vulnerabilities which are then exploited by the tester. This helps develop an understanding of the extent of damage they can cause.
4.Maintain Access
Can the pen tester stay in the system over a long period of time, and what is the potential harm they could cause while there? By imitating advanced persistent threats, the ethical hacker determines how much of the organisations most sensitive data is at risk if a malicious hacker gains similar access.
5.Analysis and Reporting
The penetration testing report contains actionable insights into the vulnerabilities that were able to be exported, what data was accessed and how long the tester was able to remain in the system undetected.
THE BENEFITS OF PEN TESTING
The positive effects of penetration testing amount to more than identifying vulnerabilities in an organisation’s defences. Let’s take a look at a few more:
Ensure Compliance
Different industries have different compliance standards and regulations when it comes to cybersecurity and protecting sensitive data. Pen testing reinforces your commitment to meeting these and keeps your business on the right side of the rules.
Reduce Risk Profile
Seeking out and shutting down the weaknesses in your cyber armour is a massive boost to the strength of your overall risk profile. Your IT infrastructure, applications and processes will all be less vulnerable as a result.
Support Business Continuity
Downtime is expensive and can result in hordes of upset customers. You want to avoid it – the secure environment created with pen testing helps you maintain uninterrupted operations and happy customers!
Build Customer Trust
Reputation is everything in the business world. A proactive approach to cybersecurity helps build trust, confidence and loyalty in your business and brand. Pen testing helps you maintain that.
CONTACT THE BRISBANE CYBERSECURITY EXPERTS
Smile IT’s Brisbane cybersecurity team offers expert penetration testing services to turn your organisation into a digital fortress! Schedule a consultation today and let’s get you on the path towards improved cyber resilience.