What Is A Penetration Test?

A penetration test is an IT exercise that consists of cybersecurity personnel attempting to identify and exploit weaknesses in an organization’s computer systems. This type of simulated attack has been used by many organizations, both large and small, and for good reason.

According to High-Tech Bridge Security Research, 92% of web applications possess security flaws or vulnerabilities that can potentially be exploited. This research also revealed that approximately 16.2% of companies in the United States have at least two external web applications that allow personally identifiable information (PII) to enter via web forms and that run vulnerable versions of web software.

Five Types Of Penetration Testing

Penetration testing can typically be divided into five categories. Let’s examine each of these categories closely.

Network Service Tests

This kind of penetration test is one of the most common requirements for testers. It primarily aims to uncover vulnerabilities and other issues in clients’ network infrastructure. Access points for a network can be either internal or external. Pen testers should strive to target:

• Firewall configuration testing
• Firewall bypass testing
• IPS deception
• Domain name system (DNS)-level attacks

Web Application Tests

This is an intense and detailed type of pen test. Browsers, plug-ins, Applets, and web applications all belong to this pen testing category.

Given that this type of test analyzes each web app’s end-points, it requires significant planning. The methods used to test web applications continue to evolve.

Wireless Network Tests

This type of test is designed to examine any wireless device that is deployed on a client’s site. Laptops, tablets, and smartphones are all examples of devices that fall under this category. Pen tests should be prepared for: 

• Access points for Wireless setup;
• Protocols utilized for Wireless configuration

Client-Side Tests

These types of tests are intended to detect security threats that arise locally. Errors in software applications that run on a user’s workstation fall under this category.

The use of uncertified open-source software (OSS) to generate or extend locally-developed applications could potentially lead to major threats and risks that are relatively difficult to foresee. 

Social Engineering Tests

These kinds of tests mimic assaults where an organization’s employees could try to launch a breach. Nevertheless, social engineering tests can typically be divided into two subgroups: 

• Remote tests: These tests are designed to fool an employee into compromising sensitive data thanks to electronic resources. A phishing attack via email can be used to conduct this type of test. 
• Physical tests: As the name indicates, direct contact with the target is needed for this type of test. Human handling strategies such as Imitation and Intimidation can often be used to conduct physical tests. 

There are also two different options for pen testing called “blind testing” and “double-blind testing.” Both of these methods of penetration testing involve very little-to-no knowledge of the targeted organization or the simulated attack itself.

How Often Should Penetration Tests Be Conducted?

The answer to this question will likely vary depending on who you speak with. However, it is recommended to perform a penetration test at least once every year. WhiteHat Security’s 2015 Website Security Statistics Report revealed that out of 118 organizations analyzed, 21% had performed a pen test once each year.

Additionally, the average organization that conducted routine pen-testing possessed up to 10 security vulnerabilities, although just half of these weaknesses were ultimately resolved.

Speak With A Professional Managed IT Services Provider

Contact the experts at SeaGlass Technology in New York to learn more about the various types of penetration testing and what their benefits are. We are committed to providing customers with innovative IT security solutions that are customized to meet their unique needs. No matter how small or large your organization is, it is crucial to have a strong infrastructure, and penetration testing can help ensure this.

If the vulnerabilities in your applications are exploited, sensitive data can become compromised through data breaches, which can cost you lots of time and large sums of money. Call SeaGlass Technology today at 212.886.0790 or contact one of our specialists online to schedule a consultation or for more information about our managed IT services. 

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What Exactly Is Penetration Testing?

Regardless of an organization’s size or the strength of its infrastructure, applications and networks can easily be exploited if certain precautions aren’t taken. It’s important to note that penetration testing, which is also known as ethical hacking, is a simulated cyberattack. With respect to web application security, pen testing is frequently utilized in order to augment a web application firewall (WAF). This type of firewall assesses requests that enter applications and halt attacks. Penetration testing can include the attempted breach of many types of application systems (e.g. APIs) to detect vulnerabilities. A pen test can offer insights that can then be utilized to optimize your WAF security policies.

How It Works

Penetration testing typically occurs in five stages: 

• Planning and Reconnaissance: This initial stage involves defining the testing scope and goals and collecting intelligence about things such as mail servers to comprehend how a target functions.
• Scanning: After collecting intelligence, the next objective is to understand how an application will react to attempted intrusions. In order to achieve this, two types of processes intended to analyze application code are utilized: static analysis and dynamic analysis.
• Gaining Access: In this stage, web application attacks like SQL injection, and cross-site scripting are utilized to identify vulnerabilities.
• Maintaining Access: This step’s objective is to determine whether the vulnerability can be utilized to reach a near-constant presence in whatever system is being exploited.
• Analysis/Covering Tracks: This final stage consists of compiling all the results of the pen test into a report that outlines which vulnerabilities were exploited, what types of sensitive information were compromised, and the duration of time for which the pen tester was able to go unnoticed in the system.

The Benefits Of Penetration Testing

There are five common methods for conducting penetration testing: external testing, internal testing, blind testing, double-blind testing, and targeted testing. Each one offers at least one benefit. For example, in a blind test, a pen tester only knows the name of the targeted entity. The advantage of this method is that it can provide you with a real-time look at how a genuine attack on an application or system would occur. Targeted testing also offers real-time analysis of an assault and allows for continuous, mutual feedback between security personnel and the hacker/malicious agent. A double-blind test, meanwhile, is one of the methods that can most accurately simulate reality because your security team wouldn’t have enough time to establish its defenses prior to an attempted breach. 

Ultimately, conducting a pen test regularly can help your organization reveal genuine security risks and threats, ensure business continuity, and maintain a certain level of trust and confidence between you and your clients, business partners, and suppliers. The truth is that many web applications have glaring security flaws or weaknesses that are exploitable. According to information security company Trustwave’s 2018 Global Security Report, 59% of tested web applications have at least one session management vulnerability. Even seemingly small input validation errors such as neglect to sanitize user input can lead to vulnerabilities. 

Additionally, holding training sessions and seminars on penetration testing for all your employees can help generate more awareness about how to properly respond to future cyberattacks. 

Speak With An IT Security Professional At SeaGlass

Contact the IT security experts at SeaGlass Technology in New York to learn more about the advantages of penetration testing and exactly how this process works. We are dedicated to providing our customers with comprehensive and innovative IT solutions that are customized to meet each client’s unique needs. 

The team at SeaGlass Technology has extensive experience with penetration testing and can assist your organization in preventing data breaches and other cyberattacks, which can take a significant time to recover from, and which can end up costing you thousands of dollars. Call SeaGlass Technology today at (212) 886-0790 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists or for more information about our services.

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