Penetration Testing
A penetration test is a proactive and authorized attempt to compromise information security and access sensitive data by taking advantage of vulnerabilities. Tests are typically performed using manual or automated tools to systematically break into servers and/or workstations. Once an initial target is compromised, the tester can launch attacks on other internal resources, gaining increasing levels of security clearance and deeper access to information.
Why you should perform Penetration Testing
Information security breaches are costly
Security breaches can bring direct financial losses, threaten company reputations and customer loyalties, attract negative press, and trigger significant fines and penalties. A recent edition of the "CSI/FBI Computer Crime and Security Survey" estimated the average cost of a security breach to be $350,000, and the cost of a single serious breach can be significantly higher.
It is impossible to safeguard all information, all the time
Organizations have traditionally sought to prevent breaches using security barriers, such as access controls, cryptography, IPS, IDS and firewalls. However, the increasing complexity of networks - and the resulting interconnectivity among users - makes it impossible for these barriers to safeguard all information, all the time. New vulnerabilities are discovered each day, and attacks constantly evolve in sophistication and automation.
Penetration testing identifies and prioritizes security risks
Penetration testing evaluates a network's ability to protect information from unauthorized access. Test results validate the risk posed by specific vulnerabilities, enabling information security professionals to prioritize remediation efforts. As a result, organizations can proactively anticipate and prevent unauthorized access to valuable information assets.
When to Perform Penetration Testing
Penetration testing should be performed on a regular basis to ensure consistent network security by revealing newly discovered threats. Tests should also be run whenever:
- new network infrastructure or applications are added;
- significant upgrades or modifications are applied to infrastructure or applications;
- new office locations are established, or;
- security patches are applied
How can you benefit from Penetration Testing
Intelligently manage vulnerabilities
Penetration testing provides detailed information on actual, exploitable security threats. By performing a penetration test, you can identify which vulnerabilities are critical, which are insignificant, and which are false positives. This allows you to intelligently apply patches and allocate security resources when and where they are needed most.
Avoid the cost of network downtime
Recovering from a security breach can cost millions due to IT remediation efforts, lost employee productivity and lost revenue. Penetration testing allows you to prevent this financial drain by identifying and addressing risks before security breaches occur.
Meet regulatory requirements and avoid fines
Penetration testing helps to satisfy the auditing/compliance aspects regulations such as GLBA, PCI, HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley. The detailed records that penetration tests provide can help to avoid significant fines for non-compliance.
Preserve corporate image and customer loyalty
Even a single incident of compromised customer data can be costly. Penetration testing helps you avoid data incidents that put your organization's goodwill and reputation at stake.
Justify security investments
Penetration testing can both evaluate the effectiveness of existing security products and build the case for proposed investments.
Satisfy prerequisites for cybersecurity insurance
Penetration testing is fast becoming a requirement for obtaining cybersecurity insurance coverage.
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