What is Penetration Testing?

Cybersecurity has never been more important than it is right now. With the cost of cybercrime set to rise to as much as $23 trillion by 2027, businesses of all sizes are looking for new ways to test their strength against hackers, malware, and insider threats.

Penetration testing helps businesses to see what their security posture looks like to potential hackers and bad actors. By mimicking typical attack strategies and analyzing infrastructure vulnerabilities, we can build a clear picture of how our clients are at risk and what they can do to protect themselves.

In this guide, we take you through the basics of penetration testing, how we do it, and why it’s so important for businesses of all sizes to consider. Cyber threats are increasing in number and sophistication – it’s time to start testing how well you’re protected.

What is Penetration Testing?

A penetration test is a controlled, ethical attack on a network, application, or infrastructure. Ultimately, the aim is to find security vulnerabilities, exploit them, and make protective recommendations.

Penetration testing typically splits into two types:

• Internal penetration testing, which covers inner networks, user account weaknesses, and potential inside threats.
• External penetration testing, which analyzes the security of public-facing applications, APIs, and websites.

Who Performs Pen Tests?

Tests are carried out by trained cybersecurity professionals using various tools and techniques to mimic typical hacking behaviors. Our team goes a step further, too – by carefully analyzing the whole of our clients’ in scope environment to map vulnerabilities so we can offer confident remediation suggestions.

At VikingCloud, we help clients find hidden weaknesses in their security, map them out, test them, and advise on how to fix vulnerabilities.

Why is it Important?

Penetration testing is important because:

• It gives companies and their customers extra confidence regarding how data is stored
• It prevents loss of data, revenue, and reputation
• It’s a cost-effective way to account for data security without having to pay for the fallout of leaks and hacks
• It offers a complete overview of internal and external security postures, mapping out weaknesses and improvement areas

Yet, one in five companies reportedly still don’t test their software for security weaknesses. We’ve helped businesses of all sizes buck that trend for the better.

Penetration Testing Compliance

Many of our clients confirm that penetration testing is highly useful in supporting often complex industry compliance demands.

For example, merchant companies processing card payments must adhere to data protection policies laid out by PCI DSS standards. With a unique and comprehensive penetration testing plan, these companies can ensure cardholder information is secure against threats.

Other potential compliance demands facing companies include those set by the General Data Protection Regulation (or GDPR), concerning requisite safeguards for the data of European Union citizens.  

Penetration testing can also help companies follow frameworks such as those set within ISO 27001, ensuring more careful compliance.

Penetration Testing Process

In our professional experience, penetration tests can differ slightly from case to case. However, there are six key steps that most professional tests follow:

1. Reconnaissance: To start, testers analyze the systems and networks they’re working with. It’s here where they scope out ports, access points, data storage, and potentially vulnerable areas.
2. Scanning: Now, testers run detailed scans of their client’s system(s) to check for potential weaknesses and attack vectors. They sometimes use tools to automate this process.
3. Vulnerability Assessment: During stage three, penetration testers look carefully at scan results and determine which areas, if any, appear to be at particular risk of attack or exploitation. They also record to what extent these areas could be exploited.
4. Exploitation: Using professional tools, testers exploit the vulnerabilities they’ve discovered. They record how long it takes to break into systems, what data can be accessed, what techniques work best, and what the overall risks are to the client.
5. Reporting: Testers build complete reports of weaknesses and potential threats in plain English for clients to read and rebuild security strategies . For instance, testers might suggest a client revisits its password policy or retrains staff on social engineering.
6. Post-reporting: The aftermath of penetration testing. Clients take report data and make changes to security measures based on professional advice. Testers can return to re-test software and hardware again later on – we personally recommend penetration testing your systems at least twice a year.

Penetration Testing Methods

There are a few different ways to run penetration tests, though they typically fall under three main umbrellas:

• Black box testing
• Gray box testing
• White box testing

Let’s briefly explore each of these methods and why companies choose them.

Black Box Testing

Black box testing is a “blind” approach to penetration techniques that puts testers in the dark. This testing method gives attackers no prior information regarding the target, therefore mimicking legitimate attacks as closely as possible.

Gray Box Testing

With gray box testing, companies provide testers with basic information regarding the systems of networks under attack. This means testers can offer a little more insight into the potential for hacking and what’s at stake while still keeping attacks credible and realistic.

White Box Testing

White box penetration testing gives attackers comprehensive details about client systems, network access points, and what hardware and software is used for. White box techniques help testers uncover all potential vulnerabilities but aren’t as close to real-world hacking as black box techniques.

Types of Penetration Testing

There are different types of penetration testing designed for varying client security needs. Our team typically carries out the following tests for a variety of clients:

• Network penetration testing: Testers run controlled hacks on firewalls, servers, and routers to assess internal and external network strength.
• Web application penetration testing: Testers attempt to exploit public-facing applications and sites, such as through web forms and outdated design elements.
• Wireless penetration testing: Testers check the strength of wireless devices and signals used by clients.
• Social engineering penetration testing: Testers assess client knowledge of security scams and test team members on their attitude to social engineering, phishing, and more.
• Physical penetration testing: Testers analyze on-premises security such as physical locks and data protection protocols.
• Cloud penetration testing: Testers specifically focus on analyzing third-party services and solutions that connect via a singular cloud.
• Mobile application penetration testing: Testers focus on analyzing apps developed for mobile devices.

Penetration Testing vs Automated Testing

Penetration testing is largely a manual process, following specific tools and exploitation choices tailored to a specific client. Our team follows manual pen testing because it offers the most authentic and comprehensive analysis for our clients.

Alternatively, some experts use automated penetration testing, which scans systems regularly to find basic weaknesses. Automated testing can be more cost-effective for businesses, but it’s less comprehensive at finding and remediating faults.

Penetration Testing Use Cases

We’ve worked with businesses across various industries to help identify security weaknesses and improve postures against hacking and malware.

For example, the VikingCloud team worked closely with a leading global tech firm to run tabletop pen testing exercises to assess its incident response strategies.

We discovered the firm was at particular risk from misconfigurations and cloud deficiencies – leading the client to boost its breach response training and enhance cloud security processes.

We also supported Worldline, the merchant and financial services tech partner, in rebuilding its security and compliance posture on the back of leaving a previous vendor.

The client particularly welcomed our open, simple approach to offering testing feedback and support, helping it weather an important period of growth.

How to Choose a Penetration Testing Provider

When hiring a professional penetration testing provider, look for a team that offers:

• Provable expertise: Do they have a portfolio of clients, case studies, and records of transformative results?
• Plain, open communication: Do they hide behind jargon and confusing processes, or do they build testing and remediation around you?
• Genuine service value: Pen testing cost will vary from firm to firm - but consider the expertise, tools, and support you receive for what you pay. Is it really worth looking for the lowest bidder?
• A range of adaptive services: Choose a team that’s able and willing to grow with you, and to run various pen testing techniques.
• Years of experience: Do the professionals on board have considerable experience in the industry, ethical hacking, and pen testing processes?
• Compliance expertise: Are they specialized in supporting companies with PCI DSS compliance, for example, and processing cardholder data?

Conclusion

Take it from us – and our clients agree – the best way to protect your business infrastructure and sensitive data against hackers and malware is to play them at their own game.

Penetration testing helps you spot weak areas in your setup you might otherwise miss. And, with the support of a professional testing team, you’ll know exactly how to remedy these weaknesses as soon as possible.

To learn more about how penetration testing services can help improve your security posture and boost customer and stakeholder confidence, get in touch with the VikingCloud team to set up a meeting.