The squeeze on business budgets has been noticeable over the last few years. CIOs, CTOs, and CISOs have to deliver IT solutions and security via static or reduced funding. Looking for ways to reduce spending in these circumstances is to be expected.
One way C-suite leaders could save money is to reduce the number of cybersecurity pen tests carried out. Given the dynamic threat landscape and the costs of recovering from a successful cyberattack, this could be a false economy, costing less upfront and more in the long run.
What is Pen Testing?
Pen testing (or penetration testing) probes networks for potential vulnerabilities using the same methods that cybercriminals employ. This authorized use of attack techniques enables organizations to identify and address potential security weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them.
Pen testing often gets carried out using teams designated as blue, red, and/or purple. The blue team is typically an organization’s cybersecurity team (or their managed security provider). In contrast, the red team contains the external “attackers” authorized to try to breach security during a pen test. Increasingly, the teams work closely together as a blended purple team to allow the red team members to pass on cybersecurity knowledge to the defenders in the blue team in real-time. A purple team arrangement also means that blue team members can fix any vulnerabilities discovered quickly.
Using external cybersecurity experts is the preferred way to perform pen testing. External pen test experts know current and emerging threats and attack vectors, as this is their full-time focus. Using an external testing team also allows organizations to play out various attack scenarios.
Some organizations alert their IT and/or SOC (Security Operations Center) teams, and some don’t. Management in the organization can choose not to inform their cybersecurity team about the testing to see if the defensive technologies and the internal cyber defense staff spot the activities of the penetration testers.
When the defenders are informed beforehand, it’s so they can gain experience in attack methods, get knowledge transfer, and fix discovered vulnerabilities immediately, if possible.
When Should You Do a Pen Test
Pen testing has a place in the overall cybersecurity strategy that organizations should devise and follow. However, just doing pen tests on an arbitrary date or periodic timescale is not the best approach. Organizations should pen test in response to specific triggers. We wrote about these triggers in a previous article titled “What is a Penetration Test, and do you need one?” (See ref 1 at the foot of this article).
In the earlier article, we outlined seven events that should trigger the commissioning of a pen test from a specialist cybersecurity services company. The seven triggers were:
- Compliance or audit mandate
- Reaching milestones in a software development or system implementation process
- Production deployment of IT, Application, and Security Infrastructure
- Completion of or on reaching milestones within security remediation projects
- Major changes that affect the security of an application, system, network, or process
- As a part of a vulnerability and risk management program
- Recovery from a security incident
Suppose your organization isn’t at a stage to trigger any of the events listed. In that case, conducting a penetration test may be a diversion or waste of resources. Focusing on your existing cybersecurity improvements and incident response planning is probably more beneficial.
Of course, every organization is unique, and there may be circumstances currently at play that don’t map directly to the seven items listed — we don’t present it as an exhaustive list. If in doubt, get advice from trusted cybersecurity experts to determine if a penetration test makes sense for your organization at this time.
Why Pen Testing is Crucial
It’s important to realize that you should not do pen testing to tick boxes and satisfy auditors or demonstrate to executives that you are testing security. Penetration testing is not just a simple checklist task.
Conducting modern pen tests comprises running multiple small projects to improve an organization’s security. By performing such tests at times when they make sense, organizations can save money in the long run by preventing successful cyberattacks. Doing pen tests at the appropriate times can save money by avoiding future expenditures recovering from a cyberattack.
Critical Insight Penetration Testing
Critical Insight provides comprehensive cybersecurity services and solutions to organizations of all sizes. Our Cybersecurity as a Service wheel infographic below shows the services we provide:
Penetration testing falls into our broader Application and Penetration Testing services (see ref 2). The Critical Insight pen testing team mimics the behavior of attackers and cybercriminals by using the same tools and methods. Sometimes the defenders are told in advance, and sometimes not, as outlined above in the blue, red, and purple team discussion.
Social Engineering methods are a significant contributor to successful cyberattacks. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 85% of criminals gain unauthorized access via human error due to social engineering techniques like phishing. Our Application and Penetration testers use social engineering techniques as a core part of their toolkit.
Conclusion
Performing pen testing at the right time is crucial to any cybersecurity defense plan, and doing it right can prevent significant spending on recovery from a successful attack. However, those working in an organization with IT systems may overlook certain issues due to familiarity. To ensure thorough testing, hiring skilled external testers who can operate with a fresh perspective is essential.
At Critical Insight, we have a team of skilled professionals with the necessary expertise to provide thorough modern pen testing and other essential services and solutions for protecting organizations of any size. Use the form below to contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
References
1. Critical Insight: What is a Penetration Test and do you need one? - https://www.criticalinsight.com/blog/do-you-really-need-a-penetration-test
2. Critical Insight: Technical & Penetration Testing - https://www.criticalinsight.com/penetration-testing
Penetration testing falls into our broader Application and Penetration Testing services (see ref 2). The Critical Insight pen testing team mimics the behavior of attackers and cybercriminals by using the same tools and methods. Sometimes the defenders are told in advance, and sometimes not, as outlined above in the blue, red, and purple team discussion.
Social Engineering methods are a significant contributor to successful cyberattacks. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 85% of criminals gain unauthorized access via human error due to social engineering techniques like phishing. Our Application and Penetration testers use social engineering techniques as a core part of their toolkit.
Conclusion
Performing pen testing at the right time is crucial to any cybersecurity defense plan, and doing it right can prevent significant spending on recovery from a successful attack. However, those working in an organization with IT systems may overlook certain issues due to familiarity. To ensure thorough testing, hiring skilled external testers who can operate with a fresh perspective is essential.
At Critical Insight, we have a team of skilled professionals with the necessary expertise to provide thorough modern pen testing and other essential services and solutions for protecting organizations of any size. Use the form below to contact us to discuss your specific requirements.