When do I need a penetration test: The path to a secure company?

Companies ask us again and again whether they are prepared for attacks from the Internet. They often approach us specifically with the request for a penetration test. In the course of the conversation, it quickly becomes clear that a number of doors are already barrier wide open, which are not usually covered by a penetration test, and that it is only through good luck that nothing worse has happened yet.

A comparison … Imagine that your company is like a house that you need to protect from intruders. However, before you deploy security guards or install high-security measures, it would be wise to first conduct a thorough security analysis. This involves checking that all doors and windows are properly locked, that alarm systems are working, and that there are no obvious weak points that could allow intruders to break in. In the area of information security, the CIS Top 18 provide a good overview of the security measures that need to be put in place.

Only after you are sure that your home is fundamentally secured do you hire security experts to perform a type of “penetration test.” Here, these experts simulate an attempted break-in to see if they are indeed secure or if your basic security measures are too weak. This is similar to a controlled exercise where the experts attempt to break into the home to point out vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.

If you were to ignore this process and go straight into penetration testing without doing your homework first, your home might still be vulnerable to basic security flaws. Penetration testing, after all, only examines certain areas, limited by time and at a specific point in time.

By performing a comprehensive security analysis, you lay the foundation for a penetration test that actually adds value, not just lists quite a few basic security measures.

Don’t get us wrong, penetration testing is the tool of choice to technically verify that measures put in place are working. If you are forced to do so by regulations or your customers demand it, there is no way around it anyway. A penetration test is also an effective means to distinguish yourself from the competition or to keep up.

The path to holistic cybersecurity: joint workshops and audits

Before an organization ventures into the world of pentesting, it is critical to establish a solid foundation of cybersecurity practices. This is where joint workshops and audits play an important role.

A joint workshop brings together experts from different departments within a company to review at a high level of fluency whether key security measures are already in place. This makes it possible to develop a comprehensive strategy that covers both technical and organizational security aspects. Such a workshop can help uncover vulnerabilities in processes while raising cybersecurity awareness throughout the organization. These workshops are deepened by technical security reviews, such as testing firewall configuration, protection against ransomware attacks (vulnerability and patch management disaster recovery).

A security audit is used to assess the current state of cybersecurity in the company. This involves identifying and assessing vulnerabilities and creating an action plan to address them. Through an audit, basic security measures such as regular software updates, strong password policies, access restrictions and network protection can be reviewed and improved.

Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions about Penetration Testing

What is Penetration Testing?

Pentesting is a proactive approach to identifying vulnerabilities in an organization’s digital systems and networks. It simulates a real attack to uncover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by potential attackers. This is an essential practice to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of implemented security measures.

However, it should be noted that pentesting should not be the first step toward cybersecurity. Before moving to this technical review, some other basic security considerations are of great importance.

Can I start pentesting right away, or are there other steps to consider beforehand?

Yes, but our recommendation is that before you do pentesting, you should establish basic security practices. This includes security policy development workshops and audits to identify vulnerabilities. This ensures you have a solid foundation on which to build pentesting.

What is the process of a security check?

Depending on your organization and adapted to your business goals as well as your maturity level, we identify security frameworks and check the implementation status at your site. The result of the security check is a list of recommendations, which is prioritized based on a risk assessment. We are happy to help you take the next steps.

What are the different types of penetration tests?

• Network Penetration Testing: This examines the network infrastructure and systems for vulnerabilities to determine if attackers could gain access to sensitive data or systems.
• Application penetration testing: This test focuses on application security, including web applications, mobile apps or desktop software. The goal is to uncover vulnerabilities in application logic, authentication mechanisms, and data processing.
• Wireless Penetration Testing: This examines wireless networks and their security mechanisms to determine if unauthorized users could gain access to the network.
• Social Engineering Test: This test aims to check employee response to social manipulation or deception to determine how well the organization is protected against social engineering attacks.
• Phishing Test: This simulates how well employees respond to phishing emails or fake websites. This helps raise awareness of phishing attacks and identify training needs.
• Physical Security Test: This test addresses the physical security of an organization by attempting to gain unauthorized access to sensitive areas or steal equipment.
• Red Team Test: This is a more comprehensive form of penetration testing in which a team of security experts attempts to attack the company. This simulates a real attack and helps assess overall security.
• IoT Penetration Testing: This test examines networked devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) for vulnerabilities to identify potential attack vectors. ###Cloud penetration test:** This tests cloud infrastructures, services and applications for security flaws as enterprises increasingly use cloud platforms.

What do you do now with Red Teaming?

Red Teaming is a method in which a group of security experts (the “Red Team”) take on the role of potential attackers to uncover vulnerabilities in an organization’s security measures. The Red Team conducts realistic attack simulations to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the company’s defenses. The goal is to uncover gaps and evaluate the effectiveness of security measures. Red Teaming can cover physical security, networks, applications, social manipulation and other aspects of security.

The important difference is that, unlike penetration testing, there is a mutually agreed upon goal to be achieved. The choice of tools is open.

Why are the costs of penetration testing so different?

Penetration testing costs can vary widely. If the penetration test is too cheap, it is usually a fully automated vulnerability scan. This involves the use of software that scans your systems. If the maturity level of your IT is very low, this can already reveal the first critical vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers, on the other hand, bring years of experience to the table and also use vulnerability scanners to obtain initial results. So far, our experts have still found more critical flaws than the automated scans offered cheaply on the Internet.

Here are some other reasons why the cost of penetration testing can vary so much:

• Scope and complexity: The more comprehensive and complex the scope of the penetration test, the more time and resources are required. Tests that cover more systems, applications or networks require additional work and can be more expensive.
• Type of Test: Different types of penetration tests have different requirements and costs. A simple network penetration test may cost less than a comprehensive Red Team test that simulates multiple attack scenarios.
• Qualification of Experts: The experience and qualifications of the security experts performing the test can affect the cost. Highly qualified experts may charge higher fees.
• Technical Requirements: Some tests require specialized tools, hardware, or infrastructure that may add additional costs.
• Reporting and Analysis: Preparing a detailed report and analyzing the results requires time and expertise and may increase the overall cost.
• Travel and On-Site Costs: If the test is conducted on-site or travel is required to review physical locations, travel costs and time may increase costs.
• Contractual Arrangements: Contract terms and agreements between the company and the security service provider may affect costs.
• Industry-specific requirements: Certain industries, such as finance or healthcare, have specific security requirements that can increase costs.
• Competition and offerings: Pricing may vary based on industry competition and offerings from different vendors.
• Repetitive Testing: A penetration test performed on a regular basis may be able to offer more favorable rates.

What exactly is penetration testing and why is it important for my business?

Penetration testing, or pentesting for short, is a simulated attack on your IT systems to uncover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. It’s important for testing the effectiveness of your security measures and identifying potential attack vectors before real attackers exploit them.

How often should pentesting be performed?

The frequency of pentesting depends on several factors, such as the nature of your business, the changing threat landscape, and the introduction of new technologies. It is usually recommended to set regular pentesting intervals to ensure continuous security.

What happens after a penetration test is completed?

After a penetration test, you will receive a report with the identified vulnerabilities and recommendations for remediation. It is important to implement these recommendations to strengthen the security of your systems.

Conclusion: Holistic cybersecurity through coordinated measures.

Pentesting is undoubtedly an essential tool in an organization’s cybersecurity toolbox. It provides the opportunity to identify vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. However, it should be remembered that pentesting is only one piece of the cybersecurity puzzle.

Before an organization takes the step to pentesting, it is critical to establish basic security practices. Such a holistic approach ensures that the basics of cyber hygiene are in place and the organization is ready to face the challenges of today’s digital landscape.

In today’s ever-changing threat landscape, it is critical that organizations are not only up to date on technical security measures, but also have a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that encompasses all aspects of their operations.

Don’t hesitate. Contact us. We will be happy to advise you. In Vienna, in Austria and worldwide.