Penetration testing is becoming a must have for companies which want to build and maintain customers’ trust. Why? Because this helps your business stay resilient in the face of constantly evolving cyber threats. It provides you customers with assurance about the proactive monitoring of the security posture of your systems and, thus, their data. This is the recipe for building a lasting customer’s trust. And this is the primary outcome of a successful cybersecurity strategy.
But let’s go back to pen testing, as this is one of the main elements on the road to building a strong security posture.
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing services are security assessments designed to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in your systems before they can be used against you and affect the business continuity. By using the same techniques hackers employ in real-world cyber attacks, pen testing simulates various malicious actors – ranging from external attackers with no prior access (black-box testing) to malicious insiders, such as authenticated users (grey-box testing) or employees (white-box testing).
Unlike vulnerability assessments, penetration testing focuses on manual, rather than automated techniques to first identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in security controls that automated tools might be too limited to catch. With a defined scope and time frame, the primary goal is to detect and resolve security blind spots and minimize the risk and costs associated with potential security risks and breaches that could lead to financial, regulatory, or reputational harm.
When it comes to pen testing, several misconceptions can blur its true purpose and impact. In this blog post, we will delve into the most common myths, clarifying what pen testing really is and what it isn’t, to help you get a clearer understanding of its role in cybersecurity.
Misconceptions about Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is only for large organizations
While large organizations may be prime targets for cybercriminals due to the potential for larger financial gains, small and medium-sized businesses present another opportunity – they often have fewer security measures in place, making them easier targets. For smaller companies, a successful cyber attack can be catastrophic, potentially leading to closure.
Cybersecurity testing services, such as penetration testing, are crucial for identifying and addressing the security risks and vulnerabilities in businesses of all sizes, helping to prevent costly breaches and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
Penetration testing is the same as vulnerability scanning
Another common misconception is that penetration testing is the same as vulnerability scanning. While the two may seem similar, they serve distinct purposes in a security strategy. Vulnerability scanning is automated process, identifying and flagging known vulnerabilities to provide a broad view of potential threats. However, scanners are limited in their ability to understand all network communication paradigms, authentication mechanisms, and platforms, meaning they may miss potential attack vectors in complex systems.
Manual penetration testing steps in to bridge this gap, simulating real-world attacks through the different phases of penetration testing and exploring vulnerabilities that automated systems and tools might overlook. Unlike vulnerability scans, which highlight potential weaknesses, manual testing assesses the actual risk, offering insights and remediation steps for critical vulnerabilities that could otherwise lead to costly breaches.
Penetration testing is too expensive
One of the most persistent penetration testing misconceptions, is that pen testing is too expensive for many businesses. While it may seem like a significant investment upfront, the cost of not conducting regular penetration tests can be far greater. Pen testers continuously research hacker techniques used in real-world security breaches and reuse them in penetration testing engagements. Not conducting pen tests may leave your organization susceptible to attack vectors employed by hackers in real-world breaches. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average global cost of a data breach has risen to $4.88 million.
Investing in regular testing helps organizations avoid these crippling costs by proactively identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening their own security measures and controls. In the long run, pen testing offers a far more cost-effective solution than facing the financial, regulatory, and reputational damage caused by a security breach.
Penetration testing is time-consuming
Penetration testing is often perceived as too time-consuming to be practical. While the tests do involve detailed, hands-on work, they are conducted within a predefined scope and time frame to suit the organization’s needs. That time frame varies based on factors such as the complexity of the network and the scope of the penetration test.
Additionally, automated testing tools and methodologies help streamline the process, ensuring it remains efficient without sacrificing depth and accuracy. Though pen testing requires an initial time investment, it’s invaluable for long-term security – helping businesses stay secure, build customer trust, and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
One penetration test is enough to be secure
Relying on a single penetration test for ongoing security is a risky misconception. No security measure is foolproof, and new vulnerabilities can emerge as cyber threats evolve and systems change. A one-time pen test provides only a brief snapshot of your security at that moment, leaving your defenses exposed to future risks. To maintain robust protection, regular penetration testing and continuous monitoring are essential security measures for identifying new vulnerabilities and adapting to emerging threats, ensuring a long-term security posture.
Businesses don’t need to go via a CREST registered pen tester
When companies select a penetration testing provider, they often prioritize factors like price, time, and reputation. However, one key consideration that’s sometimes overlooked is whether the provider is CREST-certified. Why is this important? CREST certification meets the provider with the highest international standards for penetration testing. CREST certified penetration testing ensures that providers undergo rigorous assessments, guaranteeing they follow ethical practices and the latest industry best practices. This level of expertise ensures a thorough, reliable, and up-to-date evaluation of your security, giving businesses greater confidence in the results.
All penetration testing services are the same
The belief that all penetration testing services are alike overlooks the wide variations in quality, methodology, and expertise among providers. Some services rely on automated tools while others offer more comprehensive manual penetration testing by experienced professionals. Factors like the qualifications of the testers, such as CREST certification, can significantly affect the accuracy and depth of the assessment. Not all services provide the same level of insight, making the choice of provider essential for effective security. Investing in a high-quality penetration test delivers deeper insights into critical vulnerabilities and stronger protection against evolving cyber threats.
Penetration testing disrupts business operations
Pen tests are carefully planned with a clear scope to align with business needs and minimize risks to daily business operations. Skilled testers work closely with the organization to define the test boundaries, focusing on areas critical to security without impacting essential services. Often, these tests are conducted in isolated environments to reduce any chance of potential disruptions. Testers also have strategies to contain testing activities within specified systems, ensuring any testing actions don’t cascade into other parts of the network.
This approach allows them to both exploit vulnerabilities and strengthen defenses without risking downtime, compromising business operations continuity, or causing more than minimal impact.
Internal staff can perform pen testing
When companies have an in-house IT team, they often assign penetration testing to them, but this isn’t always the best approach. While internal staff know the systems well, they often lack the specialized skills and objectivity needed to conduct a thorough pen test. Developing a dedicated in-house team to focus solely on penetration testing could address this, but finding skilled individuals with the right expertise and mindset is challenging. Furthermore, training and continuously updating their skills is both time-consuming and costly, especially in a field where threats and techniques evolve constantly.
External testers, by contrast, bring a fresh perspective, extensive experience with real-world attack methods, and adhere to industry best practices. This ensures vulnerabilities are identified without internal biases, delivering a more comprehensive and effective security assessment.
Conclusion
If you’re a company looking for a penetration testing provider, you’ve likely encountered some of these common myths. It’s vital to understand the true purpose of pen testing, how it’s conducted, and who should perform it as part of a comprehensive security strategy. Misconceptions like thinking it’s only for large businesses or that internal staff can handle it can leave your organization exposed to risks.
Penetration testing is a valuable tool that help to identify vulnerabilities and a vital part of a robust cybersecurity strategy alongside other solutions, such as MXDR. By clearing up these misconceptions about penetration testing, you ensure your business makes informed decisions, choosing the right provider and approach to protect your systems. A clear understanding of pen testing is key to strengthening your overall security posture.
Trust AMATAS cybersecurity experts
New technologies, attack surfaces, vulnerabilities, and exploits arise constantly. It is difficult and time-consuming to stay current with the latest threats and threat actors. This allows hackers to exploit the gap and cause damage to your organization.
AMATAS cybersecurity experts help you close this gap and minimize the chances of a successful attack. Our penetration testing services offers:
- Proven expertise and mature workflows for reliable, high-quality service
- Tailored methods to suit your unique environment
- Controlled attack simulations to safeguard your infrastructure
- Daily updates and critical issue alerts
- Clear reporting for both technical and business stakeholders
- Compliance with standards like PCI DSS, ISO, HIPAA, CIS, and NIST
Ready to strengthen your defenses? Book a meeting with our experts today to discuss your cybersecurity testing needs:
FAQ
Why are penetration tests sometimes not recommended?
Penetration tests may not be recommended when an organization lacks the security maturity to handle the results or when simpler assessments like vulnerability scans can address known issues. In such cases, addressing foundational security gaps is more important before conducting an advanced pen test.
What are the disadvantages of a penetration test?
A disadvantage of penetration testing is that it provides a snapshot of known vulnerabilities in your computer systems and networks at a specific moment, meaning new threats can emerge afterward. Regular testing is required for ongoing protection, which can be costly.
What are the common causes of errors during conduct of penetration tests?
Common causes of errors in penetration tests include incomplete scope definitions, insufficiently skilled penetration testers, poor communication between teams, and reliance on automated tools without manual verification. Effective cybersecurity strategies require clear goals and proper coordination to avoid such pitfalls.
