First, What Is Penetration Testing, Pen Testing, and Ethical Hacking?

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Penetration testing? Ethical Hacking? That sounds like a job for James Bond, not for me!" But trust me, it's not as complicated as it sounds. In fact, it's quite simple. Let me break it down for you in a language that even a four-year-old would understand.

Penetration testing is like playing hide and seek. You (the business) are the seeker, and the vulnerabilities in your system are the hiders. Your job is to find these vulnerabilities before the bad guys (hackers) do. And nobody likes to lose at hide and seek, especially with a lot on the line.

So, It is a simulated cyber attack against your computer system to find and fix security vulnerabilities. It can also be known as pen testing or ethical hacking (which sounds way cooler). Penetration testing helps organisations like yours manage risk, protect clients from data breaches, and increase business continuity. And it is a great way to ensure that you're not leaving any stone unturned when it comes to protecting your customers' data.

Pen testing is important and necessary for any organisation that wants to secure its systems and data from malicious hackers (the bad guys). Cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated by the day. And if you think that just because you're a small business, you're immune to them, think again. Hackers don't discriminate based on the size of your business. If they see an opportunity to make a quick buck, they'll take it. Penetration testing can help you identify vulnerabilities that you may not have even known existed.

52% of organisations that use penetration testing as part of their vulnerability management program have reduced their risk exposure by more than 25% compared to 18% of those that do not.

Here are some benefits of Pen Testing:

• It identifies and prioritises security risks before they cause damage or loss.
• It validates the effectiveness of existing security controls and measures.
• It demonstrates compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• It enhances customer trust and reputation by showing commitment to security.

Pen Testing can be performed using different methods and techniques depending on the test's scope, objectives, and resources. Some of the common methods are:

• External testing: This targets the assets of a company that are visible on the internet, such as websites, servers, firewalls, etc.
• Internal testing: This simulates an attack by an insider who has access to an application behind its firewall.
• Blind testing: This mimics a real-world attack scenario where the tester has limited information about the target system.
• Red teaming: This is similar to blind testing but also involves keeping the security team unaware of the test to measure their response time and effectiveness.

43% of businesses that conduct regular penetration testing have not experienced a data breach in the past two years, compared to the 25% of those that do not.

Penetration testing and being an Ethical Hacker sounds pretty cool and it can be fun and challenging for both testers and defenders. However, it also requires a lot of skills, tools, ethics, and professionalism. At Periculo our Pen testers must follow specific rules and guidelines to avoid causing harm. These rules are:

• We’ll obtain written permission from the target system’s owner before conducting any test.
• We define and stick to each test's clear goals and scope.
• We’ll respect the privacy and confidentiality of any data or information obtained during the test.
• We’ll Report any findings or issues to the target system’s owner in a timely manner.
• We won’t exploit any vulnerabilities beyond what is necessary for proving their existence.

A Look At The Stats

• 40% of Companies lack sufficient cyber security
• 39% of UK businesses identified an attack in 2022, with phishing being the most common threat 83%
• Ransomware attacks were the most common in 2021, accounting for 21% of attacks

These stats illustrate the need for penetration testing as a protective measure to prevent cyber attacks and protect your data and systems.

• 43% of businesses that conduct regular penetration testing have not experienced a data breach in the past two years, compared to the 25% of those that do not.
• 65% of organisations that perform tests at least once a year have successfully prevented attacks.
• 52% of organisations that use penetration testing as part of their vulnerability management program have reduced their risk exposure by more than 25% compared to 18% of those that do not.

Penetration testing is a vital part of cybersecurity that helps organisations improve their security posture and resilience against cyber threats. By conducting regular penetration tests, organisations can identify their weaknesses and strengths, fix their vulnerabilities, enhance their defences, comply with regulations, build customer trust, and ultimately protect their business.

I hope this blog gives you an overview of what penetration testing is and why it is important. If you want to learn more about penetration testing services at Periculo do get in touch. We also update our Pen testing content regularly. 

Why not get in contact about our FREE vulnerability scanning service this will really help you understand your organisation's security! 

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^{References: Penetration Testing - NCSC. https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/penetration-testing | www.gov.uk | https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckbrooks/2022/06/03/alarming-cyber-statistics-for-mid-year-2022-that-you-need-to-know/ | https://www.eccouncil.org/cybersecurity-exchange/penetration-testing/how-penetration-tests-can-prevent-social-engineering-attacks-ec-council/}