A research of 2018 showcased how the network perimeter of 92 per cent of companies was breached during external pen-testing. Looking at the astronomical rise of cybercrime in the past couple of years, this percentage could be a major reason for concern.
In 2019, the global cost of cybercrime was estimated to be $2 trillion, a 400% increase from the 2015 estimate of $500 billion.
In the modern-day and age where all your personal and financial information is online, Penetration testing has become a tool of paramount importance.
It helps you to deduce whether your valuable data is safe from malicious parties on the internet. So, it’s safe to say that choosing the right penetration testing service provider is crucial to maintain the health of your organization alongside opting for the best penetration testing method. But choosing the right penetration testing service provider has become an arduous task as of late.
With cybersecurity becoming a global necessity in the modern climate, multiple players have entered the penetration testing market. This boost has some positive after effects, such as the increased availability of penetration testing services, but all is not well. This boost in numbers has saturated the market to a great extent. Making it more time consuming for the user to make the right choice.
To make a timely decision under financial restraints due to the current scenario has become essential for any enterprise.
The contents of this blog will make you do just that!
Let’s delve into an in-depth analysis of penetration testing. Going through this blog will help you make a well-informed decision.
What is Penetration Testing?
A penetration test, in a nutshell, helps you to boost the security of your computer system.
It involves a penetration testing company trying to find all the vulnerabilities in your software application’s security. They do this by simulating an authorized cyberattack on a computer system to evaluate the security of the system.
Let’s now look at all the attribute you should consider while selecting a penetration testing provider:
Choose the Right Penetration Test
Understanding what kind of load and performance testing services are required to fulfil your needs is very important. There are several different types of penetration tests, each providing you with unique ways of probing your applications.
The cost of a pentest can be determined by the extensive knowledge it provides as well as the tools that are used during the entire process. Make sure you pay the right amount for the services you procure. There are three different pentests to choose from:
- Black box tests- A black-box penetration test determines the vulnerabilities in a system that are exploitable from outside the network. Black-box penetration testing relies on in-depth analysis of currently running programs within the target network.
- Grey box tests- These tests are performed with typical access or with limited knowledge of the test environment. The objective of this penetration test is to assess the level of security as seen by a valid user of the customer who has an account.
- White box tests- White box penetration testing involves sharing full network and system information with the tester, including network maps and credentials. This sharing of information helps to save time and reduce the overall cost of an engagement.
It is critical to find a penetration testing service provider that can provide you with a plethora of options.
A tester that specializes in many different Pentests is likely to suggest to you the most suitable option, something that fulfils all your requirements.
The ability of the Penetration Testing Service Provider
Although certifications are important, they shouldn’t be the only parameter while choosing a penetration testing service provider. The required skill-set and portfolio are more important while choosing the right fit for your enterprise. This is one of the most important parameters to test penetration testing provider.
The Pace of the Testing Process
Many penetration testing service providers prolong the process of testing to such an extent that it delays the time to market of your software.
A timeline should be decided on before you delve into the market. Variables such as the number of tests and the time to market should be decided beforehand.
Some companies require a notice period of 4–6 weeks, whereas many others can do the job within a couple of days for a premium price.
This parameter is crucial while selecting a penetration testing provider.
Proper Documentation of the Process
Penetration test reports usually consist of detailed information such as the vulnerabilities that were found during the testing as well as the measures that can be taken to exploit those vulnerabilities.
Furthermore, it consists of other confidential information. The penetration testing team should ensure that this data remains secure by following a documented process.
They should make sure that your data is labelled in the proper manner so that it can be distributed to the respective personnel in your enterprise.
Perform Both Manual and Automated Testing
Automated testing has streamlined processes as well as improved effectiveness, but they’re still prone to false negatives. Creating a mix that also involves a manual test is important to iron any irregularities that an automated test might leave behind.
Many penetration testers pass off vulnerability scans as penetration testing. A vulnerability scan costs less and isn’t as effective as a penetration test. A penetration test, on the other hand, is more thorough than a vulnerability scan and uses many different tools and manual techniques.
Ask Whether they offer Retest Options
After you have fortified your security systems using the reports that you receive after the penetration test. It is very crucial to validate these results by conducting another test.
Many enterprises get penetration testing to strengthen their security, but they never substantiate whether the entire process has repaired all the security flaws.
You should look for a tester that offers the option of retesting your security; to confirm whether the flaws have been successfully patched.
This retest will confirm that your security systems can effectively defend against various malicious hacking attempts.
Ask for Liability Insurance
Before hiring a penetration testing company, ask them whether they are covered by liability insurance.
Liability insurance is vital as it protects you from any uncertainty or side-effects of enduring penetration testing. For instance, if the penetration testing service provider causes any damage to your software during their testing and invasive activities, insurance will help remedy this damage.
All the legitimate penetration testing companies have an insurance policy that protects you from any risk that a rigorous penetration test might involve.
Conclusion
While analyzing a penetration testing service company, there are various factors that need to be considered. Make sure you exhaustively gauge different penetration testing service providers to ratify the processes they follow while testing your own system’s security.
Also, check the skill-set and the certifications of the penetration tester. Go through their portfolios to affirm whether they have worked with an enterprise of your pedigree. Ask them to provide you with a mock report, an in-depth report will allow you to take the right steps to fortify your security. Ask them if they will provide you with a retest, as a retest validates whether your security isn’t susceptible to vulnerabilities that were found in the report.
Lastly, make sure that the vendor provides you with liability insurance. Liability insurance will protect you against any setback that may arise during the pentest.
