In this article, you will discover:
- What penetration testing (“pen testing”) is
- Who needs pen testing and how to do it
- Types of pen tests
- Cost of pen tests
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing (or pen testing) is a security practice in which cyber professionals simulate cyberattacks and uncover weaknesses within an organization’s infrastructure, systems, and applications. The insights gained from these simulated attacks are then used to rectify potential vulnerabilities, thereby enhancing the overall security posture of the organization.
Why Do We Need Pen Tests?
While pen testing might appear as a redundant step within an already extensive compliance process, its advantages are well worth the extra time and effort involved. Here are some benefits of pen testing:
Prevent Costly Breaches: A report of cybersecurity breaches since 2011 reveals that the average cost of a cyber attack at a publicly traded company is $116 million [1]. Notable breaches include Equifax in 2017 ($1.7 billion), The Home Depot in 2014 ($298 million), Target in 2013 ($292 million), and Marriott in 2018 ($118 million).
Strengthen Customer Trust: Customers may request an annual third-party pen test as part of their procurement, legal, and security due diligence.
Dispel Doubts: Penetration testing confirms the resolution of any previous application security flaws, reinforcing confidence among customers and partners.
Facilitate Compliance: Pen tests are commonly mandatory to comply with certain regulatory and compliance frameworks, such as SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and FedRamp.
Meet Provider Requirements: When planning to integrate with services like Google Workplace, you maybe required to perform a pen test in order to access certain restricted APIs.
Who Performs Pen Tests?
Penetration testing is typically carried out by individuals or teams with minimal prior knowledge of the system’s security measures to potentially discover flaws that the system’s engineers may have overlooked. Therefore, external contractors are commonly hired to perform these tests. These contractors are often referred to as “ethical hackers” because they engage in authorized hacking activities, with the explicit purpose of enhancing security.
Who Needs Pen Testing?
Any organization that offers products or services in the market and handles client data and requires robust security measures to safeguard that data, should consider the necessity of penetration testing. Additionally, some customers may ask you to conduct a penetration test as part of their procurement, legal, and security due diligence processes. As previously stated, pen testing is also essential for compliance with some security frameworks, such as ISO 27001.
What Are the Types of Penetration Testing?
There are two general ways you can think about pen tests: Test Design and Attack Methods.
Test Design
Black Box (External Test): In a black box test, the pen tester operates with no prior knowledge of the environment, simulating an external, internet-connected attack.
Double-Blind Test: A specialized black box test where only a select few employees are aware of the test, allowing for a thorough assessment of internal security.
Gray Box Test: The pen tester possesses limited knowledge of the environment, typically having a standard user account, resembling the access level of legitimate users or partners.
White Box Test: The pen tester is given inside knowledge of the internal architecture, evaluating potential threats from malicious insiders.
Internal Pen Test: Similar to a white box test, this involves providing specific information about the environment to assess internal security comprehensively, i.e. IP addresses, network infrastructure schematics, and protocols used plus source code.
Attack Methods
Application Tests: Evaluating mobile, software, and web applications.
Network Tests: Assessing routing, firewalls, port scanning, FTP, and secure sockets.
Wireless Tests: Identifying vulnerabilities in wireless networks, low-security hotspots, and access points.
Physical Tests: Conducting brute-force and on-site attacks on physical network devices and access points.
Social Engineering Tests: Utilizing phishing tactics to deceive employees into revealing sensitive information, usually via phone calls or emails.
Cloud Tests: Examining security in cloud storage and document handling.
Client-Side Tests: Exploiting vulnerabilities in client-side software programs.
What Are the Steps of a Pen Test?
Step 1: Define Scope
Company determines the systems and methods to employ during the penetration test.
Step 2: Gather Information
Pen tester conducts research gain a comprehensive understanding the company’s architecture, network, servers & systems
Step 3: Identify Threats and Vulnerabilities
Pen tester analyzes company data to formulate an attack plan and identify potential vulnerabilities.
Step 4: Exploit Vulnerabilities
Pen tester launches attacks to gain access to restricted, confidential areas and private data.
Step 5: Maintain Exploits
If access is obtained, the pen tester simulates a long-term attack to breach the organization’s most sensitive data.
Step 6: Remediation
Pen tester provides a report with findings and recommendations for addressing security issues. Subsequently, the tester attempts to exploit the systems again to verify the effectiveness of the fixes in preventing future attacks.
Step 7: Analysis and Reporting
Pen tester delivers a final report summarizing the most significant threats to the business, including technical vulnerabilities that can be addressed through security upgrades.
How Much Does a Pen Test Cost?
The cost of a penetration test primarily depends on the complexity and scope of the company’s systems. Factors such as the number of assets, computer systems, applications, access points, office locations, vendors, and networks, as well as the engagement duration, pen tester expertise, required tools, and the involvement of third-party pen testers, all influence the cost. The majority of them cost between $5000 – $20,000.
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