Penetration testing

Penetration testing (often referred to as a pen test) is a simulated cyberattack on a computer system, network or web application to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker.

During a penetration test, various techniques and tools are used to find and test vulnerabilities. These include scanning networks, analyzing vulnerabilities, exploiting security gaps and checking security measures. The aim is to identify potential gateways for hackers and make recommendations for improving security.

Penetration testing is important for ensuring the security of an IT infrastructure. It helps companies to identify security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by real attackers. As a result, proactive measures can be taken to minimize the risk of data loss, operational disruption and reputational damage.

A vulnerability scan is an automated test that identifies vulnerabilities in a system without actively exploiting them. Penetration testing goes one step further by attempting to actively exploit these vulnerabilities to see how deeply an attacker could penetrate a system.

There are different types of penetration testing, including:

• External penetration testing: Testing from the outside to see how an attacker could penetrate from outside the company network.
• Internal penetration tests: Testing within the company network to simulate how an attacker could proceed if they already have access to the network.
• Web Application Penetration Testing: Testing of web applications to find vulnerabilities in application security.
• Wireless Penetration Testing: Testing wireless networks for vulnerabilities.
• Social engineering tests: Simulated attacks that aim to exploit human weaknesses, such as phishing or pretexting.

Penetration testing should be carried out by qualified security experts who have in-depth knowledge of IT security and experience in using the various penetration testing techniques.

It is recommended that penetration testing is carried out at least once a year. However, companies should also consider penetration testing after major changes to their IT infrastructure, after the introduction of new systems or after a security incident.

Challenges in penetration testing can include: Time pressure, complexity of systems, the need to avoid downtime and ensuring that the tests do not have a negative impact on the ongoing operations.

In some industries and regions, penetration testing may be part of legal or regulatory requirements, particularly in areas such as financial services, healthcare and critical infrastructure. It is often required as part of compliance standards such as PCI DSS, HIPAA or ISO 27001.

The cost of penetration testing can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the system to be tested, the scope of the tests and the company’s requirements.