penetration testing
QODES Systems offers penetration test or pen-test to evaluate the security of IT infrastructure by safely trying to exploit vulnerabilities in your organisation. These vulnerabilities may exist in operating systems, services and application flaws, improper configurations or risky end-user behavior. Such assessments are also useful in validating the efficiency of defensive mechanisms, as well as, end-user adherence to security policies.
Penetration testing is typically performed using manual or automated technologies to systematically compromise servers, endpoints, web applications, wireless networks, network devices, mobile devices and other potential points of exposure. Once vulnerabilities have been successfully exploited on a particular system, testers may attempt to use the compromised system to launch subsequent exploits at other internal resources – specifically by trying to incrementally achieve higher levels of security clearance and deeper access to electronic assets and information via privilege escalation.
Information about any security vulnerabilities successfully exploited through penetration testing is typically aggregated and presented to IT and network system managers to help those professionals make strategic conclusions and prioritize related remediation efforts. The fundamental purpose of penetration testing is to measure the feasibility of systems or end-user compromise and evaluate any related consequences such incidents may have on the involved resources or operations
BENEFITS OF PENETRATION TESTING
Penetration testing offers many benefits, allowing your organisation to:
- Intelligently manage vulnerabilities
- Avoid the cost of network downtime
- Meet regulatory requirements and avoid fines
- Preserve corporate image and customer loyalty
As you can see, obtaining a penetration-testing software or hiring a pen-tester to test your network is a proactive effort of protecting your network and business from risks before attacks or security breaches occur.
HOW OFTEN YOU SHOULD PERFORM PEN-TESTS
QODES Systems advise to perform penetration testing on a regular basis to ensure more consistent IT and network security management. This will reveal how newly discovered threats or emerging vulnerabilities may potentially be assailed by attackers. In addition to regularly scheduled analysis and assessments required by regulatory mandates, tests should also be run whenever:
- New network infrastructure or applications are added
- Significant upgrades or modifications are applied to infrastructure or applications
- New office locations are established
- Security patches are applied
- End user policies are modified