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Penetration Testing

Top tips for choosing a Penetration Testing partner

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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As cyber threats evolve, so must your business’s defence strategies. One essential tool in the cybersecurity arsenal is penetration testing, an exercise to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors do. But choosing the right partner for this mission-critical task can be daunting. In this article, we’ll guide you through key considerations to make an informed decision…

Credentials and Expertise: Ensure that potential partners have recognised certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). These credentials not only validate skills but also ensure that tests will be conducted ethically and responsibly.

Specialisation and Experience: Cybersecurity is vast. Does the potential partner specialise in the specific type of penetration testing you require (e.g., web applications, network security)? An experienced firm that has handled challenges similar to yours is preferable.

Customisation and Scalability: Your business is unique, and so are its vulnerabilities. Opt for partners who offer tailored testing strategies rather than one-size-fits-all packages. Moreover, as your business grows, your testing needs will change. Ensure the partner can scale services accordingly.

Comprehensive Reporting: Penetration testing’s value isn’t just in identifying weaknesses but in comprehending them. Your partner should provide detailed reports that outline vulnerabilities, potential impacts, and recommended remediation measures in a manner that’s both technical and accessible.

Communication and Collaboration: During the testing phase, seamless communication is pivotal. Your partner should be ready to collaborate closely, keeping you informed of progress and any immediate risks discovered.

Ethical Considerations: A good penetration testing firm will always operate within defined boundaries, ensuring no unintentional damage or data breaches. They should be clear about their testing methods and get your consent for all activities.

Pricing and Transparency: While cost shouldn’t be the sole factor, it’s a significant consideration. Obtain clear quotes, ensuring there are no hidden charges. Remember, the cheapest option might not always be the best for your business.

References and Reviews: A reputable firm will have a list of satisfied clients. Ask for references to gauge their success stories. Additionally, online reviews and case studies can shed light on their expertise and efficiency.

Penetration testing is a proactive step towards safeguarding your business assets from cyber threats. By considering the factors above, you can form a partnership that not only identifies vulnerabilities but also empowers your business to build robust defence mechanisms. Remember, in the cyber realm, the right ally can make all the difference.

Are you looking for cyber allies for your organisation? The Security IT Summit can help!

Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay

Strengthening Defences: Everything you need to know about penetration testing

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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In the digital landscape where cyber threats are pervasive, penetration testing stands as a crucial pillar of a robust cybersecurity strategy. Often known as ‘ethical hacking,’ penetration testing involves simulating cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities within your network, systems, or applications. This primer outlines the key elements of penetration testing for your company…

1. Understanding Penetration Testing: Penetration testing is a proactive approach to uncovering weaknesses before malicious hackers do. The tests typically involve assessing your systems for potential vulnerabilities, exploiting them to understand the extent of possible intrusion, and providing a thorough report and recommendations.

2. Establishing the Scope: Defining the scope is a vital first step in penetration testing. It involves identifying which systems will be tested, what methods the testers will use, and any actions that are off-limits to prevent unintentional disruption or damage.

3. Employing Qualified Penetration Testers: Penetration testing should be performed by trained and experienced professionals, often third-party service providers. In the UK, certifications like CHECK and CREST are valuable indicators of the competency of penetration testers.

4. Black Box, Grey Box, and White Box Testing: These are the three common types of penetration tests. Black box testing provides no prior knowledge of the systems to the testers, simulating an external attack. In contrast, white box testing gives testers complete knowledge, mimicking an insider attack. Grey box testing, a mix of both, provides partial information.

5. Remediation and Re-testing: After identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities, the next step involves patching these weaknesses and re-testing to ensure their effective elimination. This phase is critical to improving your cybersecurity posture.

6. Regular Testing: Cybersecurity is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Regular penetration tests, typically annually, are essential due to evolving threat vectors and changes within the IT infrastructure.

7. Legal and Compliance Aspects: In the UK, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) necessitates the safeguarding of personal data. Penetration testing helps businesses align with this requirement by identifying potential data breach points.

8. Communicating Results: Once the testing is completed, the results should be communicated effectively to relevant parties. This report should detail the vulnerabilities discovered, data exposed, and recommendations for remediation.

By integrating penetration testing into your cybersecurity initiative, you not only identify the weaknesses in your IT infrastructure but also gain critical insights into improving your defences.

This proactive approach ultimately supports business continuity, brand reputation, and regulatory compliance in today’s volatile cyber environment.

Are you interested in finding penetration testing solutions for you business? The Security IT Summit can help!

Image by Darwin Laganzon from Pixabay

Do you specialise in Penetration Testing? We want to hear from you!

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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Each month on IT Security Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the cyber security market – and in August we’re focussing on Authentication solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help IT security buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re an Authentication solutions specialist and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Jenny Lane on j.lane@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

Aug – Penetration Testing
Sep – Vulnerability Management
Oct – Employee Security Awareness
Nov – Malware
Dec – Network Security Management
Jan 2024 – Anti Virus
Feb 2024 – Access Control
Mar 2024 – Intrusion Detection & Prevention
Apr 2024 – Phishing Detection
May 2024 – Advanced Threat Dashboard
Jun 2024 – Browser/Web Security
July 2024 – Authentication

Image by Markus Spiske from Pixabay

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: iSTORM – Your trusted advisory service

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iSTORM believe that strong privacy and information security practices are beneficial to every organisation.

Their team has more than 2 decades experience covering information security, cyber security, ISO 27001, information governance, data protection and penetration testing.

iSTORM understand the issues that 21st century businesses face and our hand-picked team of experts are here to provide pragmatic support to cover all your governance, risk management and compliance needs.

  • CREST approved penetration testing – including Red Team engagements
  • Cyber Essentials & Cyber Essentials Plus certification
  • ISO27001 Gap Analysis, Internal Auditing & Implementation
  • ISO23301 Business Continuity Management Systems
  • GDPR Consultancy and an Outsourced DPO service

To find out more visit https://istormsolutions.co.uk/

Should I switch penetration testing provider every year? A pentester’s perspective…

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By Greg Charman – Pentester at iSTORM Solutions

It’s that time again. Time to reach out to several pentest providers and get the ball rolling for scoping calls, quoting then re-quoting. Once this is completed and you’ve chosen this year’s provider – you have hope that they have availability that aligns with your timeframes.

All this in the interest of having a “fresh pair of eyes” have a look at your systems. Wouldn’t it be easier if you were able to build a relationship with the provider you will be trusting your most valuable information with?

As a pentester myself, I find that the process of planning an engagement is much more efficient for everyone involved when we already have a relationship with the client. As a consultant, my job is not only to scope, complete and report the test but to make sure that we are making the best use of your budget and our time during the process. This is much easier if I already have an understanding of your business. An insight into your organisation’s infrastructure is essential when trying to prioritise risks and enables me to identify the best techniques to accommodate those priorities. Ultimately, a pentest works best when it’s a collaborative effort between both organisations.

Another benefit of partnering with a pentest provider is to avoid the headache of tracking vulnerabilities year on year. Remediation advice is great but keeping metrics around your organisations evolving security posture can be difficult if you have data from several different sources. Why not make it easier by using a provider who can provide a consolidated view of this?

Repeat partnering with a pentest provider may also result in loyalty discounts when it comes to pricing – helping your organization utilize their budget better!

For more info on how iSTORM can provide a tailored solution for your privacy, security and pentesting needs visit: https://istormsolutions.co.uk/

Do you specialise in Penetration Testing? We want to hear from you!

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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Each month on IT Security Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the cyber security market – and in August we’re focussing on Penetration Testing solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help IT security buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a Penetration Testing solutions specialist and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Chris Cannon on c.cannon@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

Aug – Penetration Testing

Sep – Vulnerability Management

Oct – Employee Security Awareness

Nov – Malware

Dec – Network Security Management

How much does penetration testing cost?

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By Redscan

Making sense of pen test pricing

Commissioning a penetration test is an important step in helping to enhance your organisation’s cyber security resilience. Pen testing costs vary from a few thousand to several thousand more, so it’s essential to ensure that the pen testing you select enables you to achieve the best security outcomes from your budget.

Every organisation has its own testing requirements and penetration testing pricing varies according to the type of test performed as well as its overall objectives and duration. Penetration testing costs ultimately depend on the issues and requirements identified during the initial scoping phase.

The importance of pen test scoping

Most penetration testing companies charge for pen testing on the basis of a day rate. As a result, it’s important that scoping stage of an assessment is conducted effectively to ensure that a quotation is as accurate as possible and that you don’t end up paying extra for unwanted elements.

At Redscan, we focus on ensuring that our clients gain the maximum value from their investment in a pen test. The scoping process allows us to identify the type of assessment best suited to your needs. It is the point when we work with you to define the full remit and goals of the pen test, including itemising the systems, assets and applications to be assessed.

Factors that affect pen testing costs

The number of days required to perform a pen test depends on factors including:

  • Type of test
  • Automated vs manual testing
  • Testing methodology
  • Remote or on-site testing
  • Experience of tester
  • When the test is conducted
  • Level of reporting
  • If retesting is included

Maximising the value of pen testing

Pen test pricing can vary significantly, but identifying the right provider to help accurately scope requirements makes assessing pen test quotations much more straightforward. As a CREST-certified company, Redscan performs testing to the highest technical, legal and ethical standards.

To learn more about how to achieve the best outcomes from penetration testing read the full article here.

Do you specialise in Penetration Testing? We want to hear from you!

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:
0
11

Each month on IT Security Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the cyber security market – and in August we’re focussing on Penetration Testing solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help IT security buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a Penetration Testing solutions specialist and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Chris Cannon on c.cannon@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

Aug – Penetration Testing
Sep – Vulnerability Management
Oct – Employee Security Awareness
Nov – Malware
Dec – Network Security Management

Do you specialise in Penetration testing solutions? We want to hear from you!

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:
0
0

Each month on IT Security Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the cyber security market – and in August we’re focussing on Penetration Testing solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help IT security buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a Penetration Testing solutions specialist and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Chris Cannon on c.cannon@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

Aug – Penetration Testing
Sep – Vulnerability Management
Oct – Employee Security Awareness
Nov – Malware
Dec – Network Security Management

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: Falanx penetration testing

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To minimise risks from hackers you need to think and act like a hacker.

Penetration testing does just that, pseudo hackers attack your systems to help expose and fix vulnerabilities.

Whether it’s web applications, internal networks, mobile devices or wireless networks, penetration testing is critical to ensure high levels of cyber security. But why, when and how often should you penetration test?

Find out more at: https://falanx.com/cyber/why-when-and-how-often-should-you-pen-test/

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