How Penetration Testing Makes Your Organization More Secure?

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It is important that Penetration Testing is conducted on regular basis. Doing so can help your organization discover security gaps and risks before they can  be exploited.

6 ways penetration testing helps your organization more secure.

1. Helps prevent data breaches

Automated vulnerability scanning, whilst very beneficial,does not tend to consider the threat of an attacker combining multiple vulnerabilities,whereas penetration testing does.

2. Penetration testing checks the effectiveness of the controls

By testing that web applications and network infrastructure have been developed and configured securely.

3. Most Compliance Requirements

For example PCI DSS(payment card industry data security standard) requires penetration testing both annually and after significant change.Achieving and maintaining compliance with security standard can help your organization be more secure.

4. Establishes a baseline for your organization's security posture

It determines where the weaknesses are and provides proof to support increased investment in security across your organization.

Also Read: Types of Penetration test & their benefits

5.Ensure that new and updated applications are secure

When new or updated applications are introduced,sensitive data may be at risk exposure if secure software development practices have not been followed. Penetration Testing can simulate real-world attacks to confirm these practices have effectively addressed known coding vulnerabilities and reduced web application security risks.

6.Support Security incident investigation

An organization needs to determine the attacks vectors used to gain access to the compromised system or network. Combined with forensic analysis, a penetration test is often used to re-create the attacks chain. Testing may also be used to validate that new security controls put in place thwart a similar attack in the future.

Key Considerations for your next Penetration Test

Establish what's In Scope

It is extremely important to understand your scope. Take into account what and where your most valuable assets and paths by which they are reached. The Pen test will then able to explore these paths and highlight any issues.

Test Safely

Make sure that any testing will not interfere with the running of your business, for e.g causing a denial of service. Schedule testing in time frames that avoid peak hours. All testing carries an element of risk so it is advisable to take system backups in case of any unplanned outage.

Keep it in house or out source

You may employee someone with the relevant skills in-house; however, you should always consider getting an impartial and independent assessment done to validate your findings.Ensure that Security company or Penetration Testing Services Provider is qualified to so so.