Network penetration testing, a crucial cybersecurity measure identifies and addresses vulnerabilities to safeguard sensitive data and strengthen defenses against cyber threats. The five phases of the testing process allows companies to strengthen data protection, improve security measures, and build trust with the stakeholders.
Introduction
According to CFO reports, 75% of security professionals have observed an increase in cyberattacks over the past year.
Moreover, Cybersecurity Ventures report that worldwide cybercrime costs are estimated to hit $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, emphasizing the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Such raising concerns have alarmed the small and large scale business owners equally as no one is quite safe from these attackers. It is the need of the hour to find effective security measures that can be taken to protect people’s an organization’s private information.
To rectify such situations, strategic offensive security measures like Networking Penetration Testing have been found to be a powerful weapon against the digital enemies. It has been an effective measure that detects vulnerabilities in networks and systems
Let’s have a look on what Network Pentesting or Penetration Testing actually is
What is Penetration Testing?
In 2023, the MOVEit Transfer software, found itself at the center of a major cyberattack orchestrated by a ransomware group. This breach sent shockwaves through both government agencies and private businesses, as sensitive data was exposed to serious risk.
It was later found that the attackers exploited a vulnerability within MOVEit’s network, allowing them to breach systems and steal valuable data.
This incident could have been prevented if there was a comprehensive Network Pentesting done on the system beforehand.
Network Penetration Testing is a technique aimed to fortify an individual’s or an organization’s network system. It is a security measure where penetration testing experts simulate an offensive attack on a company’s site with the intention of detecting vulnerabilities in the network’s security system.
In simpler words, it is a friendly attack set up by company’s permission and by the experts to test what could be the potential entry points for the hackers to get into the system and hijack it. This process is called “ethical hacking” and it is one of the main features of network penetration testing.
The 5 Phases of Pentesting
Phase I : Reconnaissance
The first phase in Network Pentesting is Reconnaissance also known as “Recon.” It is basically the gathering of all the technical information about the target system for example information regarding operating systems and application, network topology accounts or other system related information. This phase has two categories:
- Active Reconnaissance: acquiring information through direct means i.e. directly from the targeted system.
- Passive Reconnaissance: collecting information indirectly for example through the publicly available resources.
Phase II: Scanning
After the information regarding the target network is collected the Network Pentesting moves to the second phase which is scanning. In this phase, ethical hackers use various comprehensive tools to look for potential entry points that could act as a gateway into the system for the real world hackers.
The testers in this phase identify as many entry points as possible to address all the vulnerable points of the network.
Phase III: Vulnerability Assessment
The Vulnerability Assessment phase in the pentesting process allows testers to identify, define. categorize and prioritize the vulnerable points and features in the organization’s network system. It provides information on whether these vulnerable points can be exploited by the hackers.
It provides the companies to get an insight of their network’s shortcomings and the damage it could cause them. This phase enables them to rectify these shortcomings before someone can infiltrate their system and catch them off guard.
Phase IV: Exploitation
After all the information is gathered in the first, second and third phase, the networking pentesting now moves to a critical stage called Exploitation.
In this phase the experts now try to bypass the instilled security system to access the target system without crashing or compromising the system. This is done to exploit the identified vulnerabilities and test what level of damage can this vulnerability cause if a real world attack is done through it. A variety of approaches, including brute force assaults, and injection-based attacks are employed in this phase.
Phase V: Reporting
The last and one of the most important phases of network penetration testing is reporting and documenting the test’s findings. It is important because it gives crucial details about an organization’s security status and gives important insights on what should be done to improve the offensive cybersecurity.
The most useful reports include information about each stage and its findings with a briefing on what should be done i.e remediation advice, and strategic recommendations.
Why Your Organization Needs Networking Pentesting Testing
With the ever changing cybersecurity landscape, it has become the need of the hour to take measures that protect your company’s data. Network Pentesting is one of the ongoing commitment to your networks security and this is why your organization needs it:
Unveil Hidden Vulnerabilities Before Hackers Do
Networking Pentesting is a proactive approach that helps you fight the danger or potential vulnerabilities before someone from the outside can exploit them for their gain. The simulated attack allows testers to gain a perspective from the hacker’s point of view and enables them and the organization to mitigate the possible threat.
Ensure Protection of the Sensitive Data
Every company, big or small, has some confidential data and private information that cannot and should not be in any third party’s hand. The example of MoveIt Ransomware attack depicts the grave situation a company finds itself in with the loss and misuse of such private and huge data. Networking Penetration Testing allows protection of your data from such breaches and intrusions.
Improve Security Measures
Network Pentesting does not only allow detecting vulnerabilities in the system it also provides an insight into the level of threat a system might have and how it can be rectified. It allows the testers and the IT teams to observe and learn from the simulated attacks and eng=hance their security system even more, with each testing.
Build Trust With The Stakeholders
Trust is one of the most crucial selling points for customers of and the most important thing for the partners and other stakeholders of the business. Regular pentesting proves to customers, investors, and partners that you take security seriously. Knowing that an organization actively tests and improves its network security can boost overall trustworthiness.
Are You Keeping Your Company’s Networks safe?
As the statistics and the risks mentioned in this article suggest, your company’s data might be at risk too.
Even if you have kept them secure with Firewalls, IDS or 2FAs, there could still be a loophole in your system that can prove to be a lucky charm for an intruder.
So before it’s too late hire skilled networking penetration testing experts or the well experienced penetration testing service providers who can prepare your system to fight any attacker in the real world crisis, because here, it’s not better late than sorry!
