What is Penetration Testing in Cyber Security?
Penetration testing, also known as a pen test or ethical hacking, is a white hat hacking approach that a business utilizes to test the current security of an organization’s systems. These are typically performed by third-parties with no previous knowledge of the security system, which allows for existing problems to be most effectively discovered and then remediated. This positions the firm to look at the remediation steps that are necessary to resolve existing problems.
Why does this matter for my business?
Everything has changed. Today’s work landscape is now digital. Not only is business continuity as important as ever, cybersecurity is equally as important. Every business must know if a potential cybersecurity risk exists. The only way to know if your business is at risk, is to do penetration testing and vulnerability scans as part of an overall cybersecurity plan. This is a time to take this more seriously than ever before.
Which penetration test works for you?
Depending your company’s business requirements, userbase, and network design, Mindcore’s teams will create a strategy to fit your needs. Examples of some approaches are:
- Blind pen test:
- The hacker carrying out the test will have no background information regarding your company outside of its name.
- White box pen test:
- Some information is provided about the company’s security in order to guide the potential methods of an attack.
- Double blind pen test:
- A covert test where few people at the company will know the test is occurring increases the chance of catching your systems unaware.
- External pen test:
- The penetration team will target any technology such as websites or servers, but will never be able to enter the business.
- Internal pen test
- Assess the potential damage that a disgruntled employee could potentially do from within by enabling the hacker to operate within the internal network.
