What is Penetration Testing – The Accellis Methodology
Penetration testing involves simulating cyberattacks on a system, network, or application to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. This proactive approach helps organizations bolster their defenses, comply with regulatory requirements, and maintain customer trust. The primary goal of a pen test is to identify security weaknesses and provide actionable insights to mitigate them. As such, Accellis uses the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) and the NIST SP800-115, Technical Guide to Information Security Testing and Assessment, as a framework for security testing.
Types of Pen Tests
External Penetration Tests: Conducted from outside the target organization and designed to test the perimeter defenses by simulating an attacker attempting to gain access from the Internet. These tests usually begin with gathering information about the company and potential systems for an attack. Available assets are then identified and analyzed. Finally, a vulnerability scan is performed in the late stages of this process to serve as a secondary check for the manual testing efforts.
Internal Penetration Tests: Simulates an attacker or malicious insider who has already gained access to the internal network environment. The goal is to obtain access to sensitive information such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Payment Card Industry (PCI) data, or company trade secrets that could impact the organization’s trustworthiness or ability to operate.
Application Pen Testing: This solution performs a comprehensive deep scan, using both authenticated and non-authenticated scans, to identify vulnerabilities in critical applications. These automated penetration testing tools search for and identify attack vectors that include cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, information leakage and insufficiently protected credentials.
Benefits of Penetration Testing
The importance of pen tests in the modern business world cannot be overstated. As organizations increasingly rely on complex systems for every aspect of their operations, having a formidable defense is critical.
Improved Security Posture: By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, organizations can strengthen their security defenses and reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack.
Regulatory Compliance: Many industries have regulatory requirements mandating regular penetration testing. Conducting a pen test helps organizations comply with these regulations and avoid potential fines.
Enhanced Incident Response: Pen tests provide valuable insights into an organization’s ability to detect and respond to security incidents, enabling more effective incident response strategies.
Cost Savings: Proactively identifying and fixing vulnerabilities through penetration testing can prevent costly data breaches and associated remediation expenses.
Customer Trust: Demonstrating a commitment to cybersecurity through regular pen tests can enhance customer trust and protect an organization’s reputation.
Pen Testing FAQs
See how penetration testing can protect your business.
Regular pen tests help organizations stay ahead of potential threats and continuously improve their cybersecurity defenses. Stay ahead of hackers with a true partner in all things technology.
