Did you know penetration testing dates back to the 1960s? Wait, before you jump to Google to fact-check that, we’ll do it for you.
Pen Testing: All You Need to Know to Get Started
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Pen Testing 2.0: A New Approach to Ethical Hacking
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Pen Testing: All You Need to Know to Get Started
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Defence in Depth: Security Control Assessment, Indication of Compromise, and Purple Teaming
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The Art of Systematic Security Assurance (Part 1): Redefining Cybersecurity Investments
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The Art of Systematic Security Assurance (Part 2): Bridging Gaps Through Shared Responsibility
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The Art of Systematic Security Assurance (Part 3): Fostering Dev-Security Collaboration
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At a leading computer conference in 1967, computer security experts from the National Security Agency (NSA) used the phrase “penetration” to describe an attack against a computer system. This was in the context of the growing popularity of time-sharing computers, sparking the first concerns about security.
Of course, things have gotten a lot more sophisticated since then and what we know today to be pen testing is another story.
For those who are new to the field or would like a refresher, here’s a look at the basics of pen testing. Plus, if you’re a buyer who’s looking for a new pen testing supplier, read on for expert advice to guide your decision.
What Is Pen Testing?
Pen testing, short for penetration testing, is a simulated cyber attack meant to assess the security of a computer system, application, or network. It is an authorized process conducted by ethical hackers acting as malicious actors would. The goal of pen testing is to find and highlight weaknesses that unauthorized parties could potentially exploit and to remediate them.
The goal of pen testing is to find and highlight weaknesses that unauthorized parties could potentially exploit and to remediate them.
Why You Need Pen Testing
You need pen testing as part of your shield against cyber attacks and to meet industry regulations and standards. Also, pen testing can save you time and money—loads of it.
A 2022 IBM global report showed that 83% of organizations have had more than one data breach, out of which 45% were cloud-based. The average total cost of a data breach was $4.35 million in 2022, 12% higher than in 2020. On the other hand, the average cost savings associated with fully deployed security and automation was $3.05 million.
Pen testing helps identify and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, reducing a plethora of risks. Companies should conduct regular pen testing for several reasons:
Identify vulnerabilities and protect your business from malicious actors by taking proactive measures to address them and enhance overall security.
Assess security effectiveness and determine if current security measures are sufficient in protecting against potential cyber threats.
Meet compliance requirements and regulatory standards in your industry.
Manage risk by evaluating the potential impact of cyberattacks, prioritizing security investments, and allocating resources more effectively.
Shades of Gray: Pen Testing Types, Explained
Pen testing can differ depending on scope, the information provided to the testers, and the techniques used.
Ethical hackers use these three main types of pen testing:
Black Box Testing
The ethical hacker has no knowledge of or access to the target system, its architecture, infrastructure, or internal workings. This testing type evaluates external attackers’ ability to gain unauthorized access to the system.
White Box Testing
Also know as Clear Box or Glass Box testing
The pen tester has full knowledge and access to the target system’s architecture, source code, network diagrams, and credentials. The goal is to conduct a thorough analysis of the system’s vulnerabilities.
Grey Box Testing
As the name suggests, this sits in between the first two types. The tester has partial knowledge of the target system and the purpose is to simulate an attack by an insider or a person with some level of internal knowledge.
These approaches are used within different areas of expertise, such as:
Application testing - web, mobile, or APIs.
Network testing - internal, external (public facing), or wireless.
Social engineering testing - phishing, vishing, manipulation of employees, etc.
Your pen testing provider might conduct a combination of approaches and methodologies to offer a comprehensive evaluation of security vulnerabilities.
Pen Testing versus Vulnerability Assessment
Penetration testing and vulnerability assessment are sometimes confused but are not the same. While complementary, the processes are different in scope, methodology, and objectives.
Pen testing provides a real-life evaluation of the system’s defenses by mimicking actual attacks, while vulnerability assessments focus on the identification and reporting of vulnerabilities for subsequent remediation.
Basically, vulnerability assessments help you uncover vulnerabilities, while penetration testing is all about exploiting those vulnerabilities to understand the extent of damage an attacker can do and the level of impact it could cause on the business.
Both activities are valuable components of a robust cybersecurity strategy.
Pen testing provides a real-life evaluation of the system’s defenses by mimicking actual attacks, while vulnerability assessments focus on the identification and reporting of vulnerabilities for subsequent remediation.
Understanding Pen Testing: A Look Under the Hood
Pen testing can get very technical. While you don’t need to know all the details – leave them to the ethical hackers – it’s useful to know what to expect.
Penetration testing includes several phases that might differ in name or number depending on who you work with (or what article you read) but the process typically follows these steps:
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1
Scoping
The client and the pen testing team establish the goals, scope of the process, and timeline. Collaboration is key to a successful process. As a client, you need to feel valued, not rushed through. Cared for, just as you would at a traditional concierge service.
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2
Pre-assessment checklist
Pen testers gather relevant information about the target systems or applications. They make sure all access and prerequisites are sorted out.
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3
Hands-on phase
Ethical hackers carry out pen testing using both automated and manual techniques to identify various vulnerabilities. Once these are identified, pen testers try to exploit them. This may involve gaining unauthorized access, escalating privileges, manipulating data, or executing arbitrary code.
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4
Reporting
Traditionally, after completing the testing activities, pen testers compile their findings into a detailed PDF report. At Chaleit, we do things differently to make client’s life easier. We skip the report and we just create tickets directly on our clients’ systems which they can review and assign to the correct team for remediation.
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5
Remediation and follow-up
The pen testing team and the client collaborate to fix the vulnerabilities and improve security. This step is extra important. Many times, the client has difficulties fixing the issues reported. Chaleit pen testers follow up on the tickets created at the previous step and offer support on how to remediate the issues.
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6
Retesting
The team goes back and makes sure the issues have been remediated and that the client’s system is more secure at the end of the process.
Many times, the client has difficulties fixing the issues reported. Chaleit pen testers follow up on the tickets created at the previous step and offer support on how to remediate the issues.
Who Does Pen Testing? From Rock Stars to Orchestras
Penetration testing is performed by pen testers, also known as ethical hackers. They are cyber security professionals with a deep knowledge of potential threats and system vulnerabilities.
Having a team of ethical hackers attacking your systems and looking for issues can feel slightly adversarial, notes Dan Haagman, co-founder and CEO of Chaleit, in an interview for Runn. That’s especially the case when the team runs the tests, sends a hacking report, and leaves the company scrambling for solutions.
But it shouldn’t be that way. “We’re nerds. We’re experts in security and hacking. And we want to help people”, says Dan. With decades of experience in cyber security, the CEO of Chaleit believes that the industry must move away from viewing ethical hackers as rock stars who put in a great performance but leave the stage a mess and swan off to their next gig.
Instead, Chaleit is proposing a new approach to pen testing that is about having a team of superb musicians who come together to create the perfect soundtrack of security for clients. Let’s see what to look for in your next pen testing team.
We’re nerds. We’re experts in security and hacking. And we want to help people.
Pen Testing, a Brief Buyer’s Guide
Are you unhappy with your current pen testing provider or just want to switch things up? Or are you new to the market and want to find a long-term cyber security partner?
With so many options, making the right choice can be overwhelming. Here are the criteria that will make a difference in your overall experience and create true cyber resilience for your company:
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1
Quiet competence
Look for experience, expertise, and collaboration. Pen testing is about quality findings and quality service.
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2
Speed
Pen testing should take less than weeks or months. Your pen testing provider should identify and work on the issues immediately. Aim for days.
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3
Easy onboarding
The last thing you need is another supplier taking months to onboard. Work with a provider who simplifies procurement and speeds up the process for you.
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4
Dynamic reporting
Let the PDF report go. Spare your employees from reading boring documents, when all that matters is that the vulnerabilities get fixed. Save time by having pen testers skip the reports and create tickets directly into your system.
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5
Aftercare
We can’t emphasize this enough. Choose a provider that focuses on remediation, follow-up, and retesting so that you become more secure at the end of the process.
There are many great pen testing providers out there. Work with a team that delivers quality results, not with a splash, but with a friendly face and the flexibility to sync whenever is best for you, and to use the tools that make the process easier.
Choose a provider that focuses on remediation, follow-up, and retesting so that you become more secure at the end of the process.
From a Commodity to a Concierge Service
Treating pen testing as a commodity is not yielding the best results for buyers. One of our in-house experts explains.
“In the traditional model, you get a bunch of output that you might not know how to read or prioritize. Something might be critical, but it will be lost in thousands of rows of other things that are not”, says Roscoe Platt, Chaleit’s VP of Client Services. “We’re here to protect people and look after them. We don’t offer a self-checkout, but a concierge service. You talk to a real expert and the thing you’re buying is made for you”, he adds.
Does this model work? Our successful interactions are proof of it. After all, one of our clients coined the term “Pen Testing 2.0” to describe our services. We were so inspired by this, that we decided to start a blog about it.
We’re here to protect people and look after them. We don’t offer a self-checkout, but a concierge service. You talk to a real expert and the thing you’re buying is made for you
Wrap Up
We’re confident that by now you understand what pen testing is and can more easily navigate the world of pen testing providers. We are excited to contribute to the reinvention of pen testing with the client front and center and we are here to discuss pen testing challenges and drive value together.
