CRIBB is proud to deliver cyber security services and solutions for sectors including healthcare. In this highly-regulated industry, it is vital for organisations to be compliant and so they are required to engage in penetration testing. This is also true of many other companies and so today we present some updated penetration testing FAQs for your delectation.
What is penetration testing?
It is a simulated cyber-attack on a computer system, network, or web application. The objective is to evaluate the security of the test subject. Also known as ‘pen testing’, vulnerabilities that an attacker could potentially exploit are identified by security professionals known as ‘ethical hackers’. During the testing process, they use a variety of tools and techniques to penetrate the test subject’s defences.
Organisations can use the results of a penetration test to prioritise security weaknesses. They can then also implement measures to improve their overall security. Pen testing is an important part of any comprehensive security strategy but it is not the ‘be all and end all’. Rather, it is one aspect that can be used to proactively detect potential security threats before they can be exploited.
Who needs it?
- Large corporations
- Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
- Financial institutions
- Government agencies
- E-commerce businesses
Large corporations often have complex IT systems, networks, and web applications that must be protected from cyber-attacks.
SMEs often have limited IT resources and many do not have the in-house expertise to identify and mitigate security threats. Penetration testing can therefore provide these businesses with valuable insights, thus helping them to implement effective security measures.
Financial institutions process sensitive customer data, such as credit card information and personal financial details. They are therefore a prime target for cyber-criminals.
Government agencies often handle sensitive information and critical infrastructure. They therefore need to ensure the security of their systems and networks.
E-commerce businesses handle sensitive customer data, such as credit card information and shipping addresses. This means that they too are a key target for cyber-attacks.
Additional questions
- What industries require penetration testing? Companies in highly regulated industries
- Why would a company want a penetration test performed? To see how feasible it would be for an attacker to breach their security
- Is penetration testing mandatory? Not as such but it is essential to meet with Security of Networks & Information Systems (NIS) objectives
We hope that these updated penetration testing FAQs are a useful addition to our existing pen test info. If you are considering this type of testing, then our experts can help. It is worth noting that it can be a valuable tool for any organisation, not just those falling under the descriptions above!