Are you looking for a way to protect your organization from more cyberattacks? If yes, one great way to check is through penetration testing. This test helps find weak spots in your computer systems and networks. If these weak spots aren’t fixed, they could be used by cybercriminals.
For instance, in 2021, the National Institute of Standards and Technology found over 4,000 risky vulnerabilities. Because of the rise in cyberattacks, many are turning to penetration testing. Security experts use these tests to think like cyber attackers and keep systems safe.
Keep reading the article to learn more about why penetration testing matters and what a tester’s role is.
What is Penetration Testing?
Pen Testing, short for penetration testing, is like a practice cyberattack. Its goal is to find weak spots in computer systems and figure out how to get past defences. Finding these weak spots early helps fix them, saving lots of money that a real data breach could cost.
Pen tests also check if a company is following security rules, teach employees about staying safe online, test how well they respond to cyber emergencies, and make sure business keeps running smoothly.
The National Cyber Security Centre says that pen testing is about checking how to secure an IT system is by trying to break in using the same tricks hackers might use. Companies can use what they learn from these tests to patch up holes before they get attacked.
Penetration testing is super important in cybersecurity everywhere, and experts who do this testing are in high demand.
Types of Penetration Testing?
Here’s an easy explanation of the different types of penetration testing:
1. Application Pen Tests: These tests focus on finding vulnerabilities in apps like websites, mobile apps, IoT apps, cloud apps, and APIs. Malicious code injections, configuration errors, and authentication failures are among the problems that testers search for.
2. Network Pen Tests: These tests target the network infrastructure, looking for weaknesses in routers, firewalls, and servers. The goal is to identify entry points that attackers could exploit.
3. Hardware Pen Tests: This type of test assesses the security of physical devices like computers, servers, and IoT devices. Testers check for vulnerabilities that could be exploited through physical access or remote methods.
4. Personnel Pen Tests: These tests evaluate the human element of security by simulating social engineering attacks. Testers attempt to fool staff members into disclosing private information or doing activities that can harm security.
Each type of pen test plays a crucial role in identifying and fixing security weaknesses. They help companies strengthen their overall cybersecurity defences.
How Penetration Testing Works?
Penetration testing, or pen testing, is like a friendly hacking exercise where ethical hackers pretend to be bad guys to find weaknesses in a company’s computer systems. The company decides what parts of their network the testers can check and how long they can do it.
First, the testers look for ways to sneak into the network. They start with a scan to find potential weak spots, like badly protected software or settings.
Once they find a way in, they try to get access to important parts of the network, like admin accounts. They use tricks to dig deeper and see how bad things could get if a real hacker got in.
Sometimes, they use sneaky tricks like leaving infected USB drives around to see if someone plugs them into the company’s computers. They might also try to trick their way past physical security, like getting into a building by pretending to be tech support.
When they finish, they write a detailed report about what they found and suggest ways to fix the problems. Companies often do these tests once a year or after making big changes to their security.
Overall, penetration testing helps companies find and fix weak spots before real hackers can exploit them.
5 Stages of Penetration Testing
The five stages of penetration testing include:
1. Reconnaissance and Information Gathering:
This stage is like gathering intelligence before a mission. The testing team collects as much information as possible about the target system or network. This includes understanding the target’s infrastructure, technologies used, potential vulnerabilities, and other crucial details. It’s like creating a map before starting the journey.
2. Scanning:
With the information gathered in the reconnaissance phase, the next step is scanning. Here, the testers use various tools and techniques to scan the target for vulnerabilities, open ports, and potential entry points. It’s akin to checking all the doors and windows of a house to see if any are unlocked or weakly secured.
3. Gaining Access:
Once vulnerabilities are identified through scanning, the penetration testers attempt to exploit them. They use common attack methods like SQL Injection or Cross-Site Scripting to gain access to the target system or network. This phase simulates what a real attacker would do to break into a system.
4. Maintaining Access:
After gaining initial access, the testers work on maintaining their foothold in the system. They aim to stay undetected while exploring further and gathering more sensitive information. This stage mimics the tactics of advanced attackers who want to remain hidden and continue their malicious activities over time.
5. Covering Tracks and Analysis:
Once the penetration test is complete, the testers clean up any traces of their activities to maintain anonymity. This includes deleting logs, scripts, and other artefacts that could reveal their presence. Simultaneously, they compile a detailed report that includes findings from each stage, vulnerabilities discovered, potential impacts of these vulnerabilities if exploited by real attackers, and recommendations for improving security measures.
By following these five stages, penetration testing helps organizations identify and address security weaknesses proactively, reducing the risk of real cyberattacks.
Conclusion
That’s it, penetration testing is like a key part of being proactive about cybersecurity. It helps companies find, rank, and fix weak spots before bad guys can use them. Penetration testing is thorough, covering different areas of cybersecurity like IT systems, web apps, cloud setups, and even human weaknesses.
By following a smart plan, using the latest tools, and always trying to get better, businesses can get stronger against new cyber dangers. When companies make penetration testing a top priority, it helps them stay on top of cybersecurity challenges and keeps everyone’s trust and confidence intact.