Penetration Testing
What is Penetration Testing?
A penetration test, also known as a pen test, is an authorized simulated cyber attack on a computer system, performed to evaluate the security of the system and check for exploitable vulnerabilities.
Penetration testing parameters are set by pen-testers so exploits that would result in the disruption of services or destruction of data would be prohibited. Pen-testers use the same tricks that legitimate cybercriminals might use. The goal is to find all of the vulnerabilities that attackers could potentially exploit.
What are the stages of Penetration Testing?
The process of penetration testing may be simplified into five stages:
- Reconnaissance: The act of gathering intelligence (e.g., mail server, network and domain names) to better understand how a target works and it potential vulnerabilities.
- Scanning: Following the reconnaissance stage, a collection of scans are performed on the target to decipher how their security systems will counter multiple breach attempts.
- Gaining Access: Once data has been collected, penetration testers leverage common attacks to exploit any present vulnerabilities. Now that access has been obtained, testers attempt to imitate the scope of the potential damage that could be generated from a malicious attack.
- Maintaining Access: The main goal of this stage is to maintain constant presence within the target environment in order to gather as much data as possible.
- Covering Tracks/Analysis: Once the engagement is complete, penetration testers must clear any trace of compromising the victim system, any type of data gathered, log events, in order to remain anonymous. A comprehensive report with an in-depth analysis of the entire engagement will be shared with the target to highlight key vulnerabilities, gaps, the potential impact of a breach, and a variety of other essential security program components.
Why Penetration Testing is important for business?
Penetration Testing help organizations:
- Ensure that security systems offer adequate protection against real and potential threats.
- Discover security vulnerabilities before a hacker does.
- Confirm whether the security systems are working as intended.
- Identify actionable remediation guidance.