One of the most reliable security testing methods in any cybersecurity program is penetration testing.
The different stages of penetration testing, when properly used, will strengthen your cyber defenses and assist find weaknesses in your IT security.
Read on to find out more about the phases followed by cyber security penetration testing companies.
Penetration Testing: A Quick Overview
Pen testers, also referred to as penetration testers, are ethical hackers that conduct security exercises. The purpose of a pen test is to assist find any holes or vulnerabilities in a network by simulating an assault of the network.
Penetration tests come in two varieties: internal and external. An internal penetration test mimics an attack from the viewpoint of an unintentionally compromised network or an internal bad actor, such as a disgruntled employee.
An external penetration test is conducted from outside the network from the viewpoint of a hacker attempting to enter the system.
Phase 1: Pre-Engagement
At this point, the security specialist examines the rules of engagement and test logistics. The target organization and the VAPT providers talk about the exercise’s potential legal ramifications.
Together, the customer and the penetration testing team set unique test objectives that correspond with the particular security needs of the company.
The systems, networks, and applications that are part of the test are defined by the customer and the service provider.
They also help both parties understand what to anticipate from the testing process by identifying systems or locations that are off-limits. The terms of engagement are contained in this agreement.
Phase 2: Observation
Reconnaissance is the initial stage of penetration testing. The tester collects as much data as possible about the target system during this phase, including details about user accounts, operating systems and applications, network topology, and other pertinent data.
The objective is to collect as much information as possible so that the tester can devise a successful attack plan.
Phase 3: Scanning
It’s time to start scanning when the reconnaissance step has produced all the pertinent data. During this stage of penetration testing, the tester checks network activity on the target system and finds open ports using a variety of tools.
For the subsequent penetration testing phase, penetration testers must find as many open ports as they can because these are possible points of entry for attackers.
Phase 4: Vulnerability Analysis
Pentesters examine the many threat sources found during a security scan to identify underlying vulnerabilities and rank them according to the danger they represent to the system.
Examining the risks and degree of vulnerabilities requires a standardized procedure, which VAPT providers follow.
One popular semi-quantitative technique for determining the severity of vulnerabilities is the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).
Each vulnerability is given a numerical score according to how serious it is. In the last stage of penetration testing, remediation, this score aids in prioritizing vulnerabilities.
Usually, vulnerabilities are evaluated using a variety of security and risk assessment criteria.
Phase 5: Exploitation
Exploitation comes after the Vulnerability Assessment is finished. The tester tries to exploit the vulnerabilities found during this crucial stage. Determining the extent of the vulnerability and estimating the possible harm it could do are the goals, not causing harm.
Data breaches, service interruptions, or illegal access to private data are examples of exploitation.
In order to prevent unintentional damage to the system, this step must be closely supervised and managed. Pushing the envelope while preserving the system’s integrity requires careful balancing. Expert cyber security penetration testing companies can help you with that.
Phase 6: Reporting
The tester creates a thorough report outlining their results in the last step, reporting. This covers the data abused, vulnerabilities found, and the success of the breach simulation.
However, the report includes more than a list of problems. Additionally, it provides suggestions for fixing the vulnerabilities, such as better security rules, configuration adjustments, and software patches.
The report acts as a road map, pointing the company in the direction of a more secure IT setup.
Popular Penetration Testing Tools
Each of the several penetration testing tools that are available has advantages and disadvantages.
- The Burp Suite. Burp Suite is a comprehensive tool for checking the security of online applications. It has the ability to intercept client-server traffic, alter requests and responses, and search websites for security flaws.
- Nmap: Nmap is an effective tool for scanning networks for open ports and services. It also has tools for locating apps that are at risk.
- One tool for exploiting vulnerabilities is Metasploit. In addition to a library of exploits for various operating systems and applications, it also has a wizard that can help penetration testers take advantage of known flaws.
- A network analysis tool called Wireshark is capable of capturing packet data from a network and decoding it into a form that can be read. This can be helpful in detecting malicious traffic or private data being sent across a network.
So, What Makes a Penetration Test Necessary?
Everybody fears missing something. We worry about things like forgetting to lock the door when we leave the house or making a mistake in a crucial email.
Making ensuring that all of our bases are covered at all times can be challenging because there is always so much to remember. In terms of network security, the same is true.
Are you certain that the network of your company is safe?
Are you certain that there aren’t any hidden weaknesses that you are unaware of?
Conducting a penetration test is one of the steps we can take to ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep our companies as secure as possible, even though we can never be absolutely confident that our security posture is flawless.
You may better safeguard the resources of your company by using penetration testing to find your weaknesses.
Get help from leading cyber security penetration testing companies today.
