A penetration test, or pen test, is an attempt to evaluate the security of an IT infrastructure by safely trying to exploit vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities may exist in operating systems, services and application flaws, improper configurations or risky end-user behavior. Such assessments are also useful in validating the efficacy of defensive mechanisms, as well as end-user adherence to security policies.
Penetration testing is typically performed using manual or automated technologies to systematically compromise servers, endpoints, web applications, wireless networks, network devices, mobile devices and other potential points of exposure. Once vulnerabilities have been successfully exploited on a particular system, testers may attempt to use the compromised system to launch subsequent exploits at other internal resources, specifically by trying to incrementally achieve higher levels of security clearance and deeper access to electronic assets and information via privilege escalation.
Information about any security vulnerabilities successfully exploited through penetration testing is typically aggregated and presented to IT and network system managers to help those professionals make strategic conclusions and prioritize related remediation efforts. The fundamental purpose of penetration testing is to measure the feasibility of systems or end-user compromise and evaluate any related consequences such incidents may have on the involved resources or operations.
Identify and prioritise security Risks
Pen testing evaluates an organization’s ability to protect its networks, applications, endpoints and users from external or internal attempts to circumvent its security controls and gain unauthorized or privileged access to protected assets.
Meet regulatory requirements
Penetration testing helps organizations address the general auditing and compliance aspects of regulations and industry best practices. By exploiting an organization’s infrastructure, pen testing can demonstrate exactly how an attacker could gain access to sensitive data. As attack strategies grow and evolve, periodic mandated testing makes certain that organizations can stay one step ahead by uncovering and fixing security weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Additionally, for auditors, these tests can also verify that other mandated security measures are in place or working properly. The detailed reports that pen tests generate can help organizations illustrate ongoing due diligence to maintaining required security controls.
Increase your confidence in your security strategy
How can you be confident in your security posture if you do not effectively test it? By regularly putting your security infrastructure and your security team through their paces, you won’t have to wonder hypothetically what an attack will look like and how you’ll respond. You’ll have safely experienced one, and will know how to prepare to ensure your organization is never caught off guard.
Leverage a proactive security approach
These days, there’s no one solution to prevent a breach. Organizations must now have a portfolio of defensive security mechanisms and tools, including cryptography, antivirus, SIEM solutions, and IAM programs, to name a few. However, even with these vital security tools, it’s difficult to find and eliminate every vulnerability in an IT environment. Pen testing takes a proactive approach, uncovering weaknesses so that organizations know what remediation is needed, and if additional layers should be implemented.
Verify existing Security programs are working and discover your security strengths
Without the proper visibility into your environment as a whole, changing your security posture may result in you eliminating something that was not actually problematic. Pen tests don’t only tell you what isn’t working. They also serve as quality assurance checks, so you’ll also find out what policies are most effective, and what tools are providing the highest ROI. With these insights an organization can also intelligently allocate security resources, ensuring that they are available when and where they are needed most.