Understanding the Art of Penetration Testing: FAQs Answered

While modern technology has made life easier, it has also opened up the world to a range of cyber threats and technological hardships that we never could’ve imagined. Who could’ve imagined a decade ago that an unsecured Wi-Fi network could help a hacker gaining access to your networking system?

But modern problems require modern solutions, so behold—penetration testing!

From identifying the weakness of your network and IT systems to ensuring that sensitive information flows through secure channels, penetration testing protects you from a range of security vulnerabilities.

To make it easier for you, we’ve answered a few of the most frequently asked questions about Penetration Testing. Have a look!

What Is Penetration Testing?

A penetration test is a method to evaluate the effectiveness of an organization’s security controls. The test is performed under controlled conditions where stimulations of various cybersecurity threats scenarios are introduced to assess if IT and network systems can protect sensitive data, confidential information, and a company’s intellectual property.

The test uses a strict methodology to assess the shortcomings of a system and outlines them in a detailed report, along with recommendation on how to implement countermeasures.

What Are The Goals Of A Penetration Test?

A penetration test differs based on the scope of the review. But generally speaking, a penetration test is conducted to validate the effectiveness of the security controls that protect your system and assets.

How Is It Different Form Automated Vulnerability Scan?

While both penetration tests and vulnerability scans are effective tools in managing vulnerabilities, their methodology is different.

A vulnerability scan is an automated, effective, and low-cost method of testing common network and server vulnerabilities. However, while it can identify common service misconfigurations and other weaknesses, it can’t verify the impact on the system if these vulnerabilities were exploited.

On the other hand, a penetration test takes a holistic approach and goes one step ahead by demonstrating how a hacker may gain access to sensitive information. This allows organizations to assess the potential repercussions of their security shortcomings.

Why Should You Hire Penetration Testing Services?

Apart from identifying vulnerabilities, there are various reasons why you should hire penetration testing services. Here are a few of them:

·         It allows companies to identify any new vulnerabilities in their system proactively

·         It aids development teams by streamlining the use of web applications

·         It demonstrates a commitment to security that your business’ clients will value

If you’re looking to hire penetration testing services, don’t settle for anything less than the best!

At Lean Security, we use premier web security assessment technology to offer effective penetration testing services to all our clients. Our network vulnerability assessment helps you mitigate the risks of losing sensitive information and various other cybersecurity threats.  

Find out more about our services here.