A penetration test is a simulated cyber attack on your systems to confirm exploitable vulnerabilities. Alternatively called a pen test, this penetration test evaluates the security features of your internal network and web application systems. Its effectiveness will often depend on how you handle the entire process.
Many companies are opting for Crest Accredited Penetration Testing, which is a pen testing service conducted by a CREST accredited or CREST certified provider.
The following insights into penetration tests will guide you in understanding what the process is and how it’s done.
Stages of An Effective Penetration Test
An excellent penetration test undergoes five stages: reconnaissance, scanning, exploitable vulnerability evaluation, exploitation, and reportage.
Reconnaissance
Surveillance is the initial penetration testing stage, where the tester collects information about the target system. The data collected includes the network topology, user accounts, operating systems, and system applications.
Reconnaissance could be passive or active, depending on the methods used to collect information. While active surveillance pulls information from publicly available resources, passive methods require direct interaction with the system.
Scanning
This stage requires you to open the ports and confirm the network traffic on the target system. Ports are the main entry points for cyber attackers, meaning they are a priority. The tester will identify as many ports as possible to understand how effective the process can be.
You can perform this step outside the penetration test; only you’ll refer to it as vulnerability scanning. While an automated approach is convenient, a full penetration test is more effective. You’ll also need human intervention to maximize the effects.
Vulnerability Evaluation
This stage utilises the results of the first two phases to confirm whether the system is exploitable. Various resources, including those provided by the National Vulnerability Database, are used in this phase. Its goal is to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Exploitation
You can only move to this stage once you identify all the vulnerabilities. This phase requires the tester to access the system to exploit the identified vulnerabilities. This professional will utilize different tools to simulate real-world cyber attacks.
This step is significantly delicate and sensitive since it requires the tester to bypass various types of security restrictions. For this reason, the professional must ensure the system neither crashes nor gets compromised.
Reporting
Reportage requires the tester to document their findings, including potential vulnerabilities and strengths. In addition, this professional shall identify the best solutions to the problems identified in the previous stages.
What to Avoid During a Pen Test
Most organizations will likely commit mistakes that could compromise the entire penetration test. The following are the most common mistakes you could be vulnerable to.
Improper Planning
A comprehensive penetration test requires significant planning. This plan should indicate what you want to achieve and the methods you’ll use. A thorough plan ensures the tester misses no details during the performance, boosting effectiveness.
Poor Tools
Chances are that your organization does not have the right risk management tools for the cybersecurity test or will fail to identify the best assessment options for the test. In such cases, your penetration test might not yield the envisioned results. Besides giving false positives, using the wrong tools will easily waste your time. This is why you need to involve professional testers. With the right infrastructure and years of experience, a team of testers will successfully run the penetration test without any errors.
Heavy Reliance on Automation
While automation offers enhanced flexibility and convenience, it might not provide the best results. Various human interventions will help avoid costly mistakes. However, this does not wholly exclude automation in the penetration test.
Exploiting the System Early
The temptation to exploit the system way too early compromises your results. The tester should not influence the system unless they understand the potential weaknesses, the target environment, and the network.
Considerations Before a Penetration Test
Adequately planning for your penetration test improves the quality of your results. It would be best to consider the following practices during the initial phase to avoid time and resource wastage.
• Have a comprehensive plan indicating your objectives, scope, and budget. This plan should highlight high-risk and low-risk points.
• Your plan should include financial and customer data sources.
• Penetrating remotely accessible systems should also be a priority.
• Have a transparent penetration testing model. A customized approach guarantees better results.
• Adequate preparation is necessary. It involves gathering all the information and tools needed on time.
• Your communication plan should be concise and compelling.
A penetration test is invaluable and could help protect your business system and software from cyberattacks. However, you must have a comprehensive plan and execute it systematically. Additionally, it would be best to use the services of qualified and experienced testers.
