Understanding pentesting is an important step in making sure you entrust your security into the right hands. Penetration testing, also known as pentesting, is a method of testing your company's defences against cyberattacks by trying to break into it. Pentesters are ethical hackers who use the same techniques they would use to attack companies on their own networks to find vulnerabilities that can be exploited. This blog post will explore what pentesting is and how it works before discussing why you should invest in this security measure for your business. It will then introduce 10 prominent penetration testing companies so you can choose which one best suits your needs.
Understanding penetration testing
What is penetration testing?
Pentesting is a way of assessing the security of your company's systems by simulating attacks on them. This involves sending someone, usually from outside the network you are trying to protect, into it in order to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited if real attackers wanted access to your data or other resources. The term "penetration test" is sometimes used interchangeably with "pentest", but this can be misleading as there are various other types of pentesting, including mobile app penetration testing. It's also important to note that a pen test shouldn't give an attacker anything they don't already have or access otherwise (i.e., it shouldn't reveal your passwords).
What types of pentesting are there?
There are three main types of pentesting:
Black-box pentesting is the most common type and involves attacking a system without any prior knowledge of how it works.
White-box pentesting is the opposite; testers have full knowledge of the systems they are trying to break into.
Grey-box pentesting is somewhere in between, with testers being provided with some information about the network.
These different types of pentesting can be used as part of a wider pen testing methodology known as penetration testing, or Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES). There are various other methodologies that involve more than one type of pentest, such as Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM) and the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).
How do pentesting engagements work?
The typical pentesting engagement will follow these steps:
Preliminary assessment: In this stage, the tester(s) will meet with management to discuss the scope of the test, what systems need to be tested, and what the objectives are.
Information gathering: Testers will attempt to gather as much information about the target systems as possible, including how they work and any vulnerabilities that have been identified in the past.
Vulnerability analysis: This is where testers will try to exploit any vulnerabilities they have discovered in order to gain access to sensitive data or systems.
Reporting: Once the pentesting is complete, testers will produce a report detailing their findings and what actions should be taken to address any vulnerabilities discovered.
Who needs penetration testing?
Penetration testing is not just for large companies; it can be beneficial for businesses of all sizes. However, due to the nature of the data dealt with by some services, they end up being more appealing targets to hackers. Some such services include:
Finance and banking: These companies are attractive targets because of the sensitive data they hold about their customers; if that information is stolen or leaked it can result in a huge financial loss.
Manufacturing and healthcare businesses: These sectors may not have as much customer data on file but could be affected by ransomware if hackers are able to gain access.
Government agencies and critical infrastructure sites: such as water supply plants or traffic control systems. If these institutions were compromised then the results could be catastrophic for an entire community.
How often should you perform penetration tests?
The frequency of penetration testing is determined by the sort of business you run and the risks it is prone to. However, it's generally recommended that you pentest at least once a year, if not more often.
How to select the right pentesting company for your needs?
When looking for a pentesting company, the first thing to consider is their reputation and reviews. They ought to have the expertise in the area you need. You should raise the following questions to help yourself decide:
What type of pentesting do they offer?
Do they have prior experiences with similar companies in your industry?
Are their testers certified?
Do they have a good reputation?
How much will it cost?
Top Pentesting Companies That You Need To Know More About
The top pentesting companies that you need to know about are:
-Astra Security
Astra Security offers Astra’s Pentest Suite, a range of tools from pentesting to vulnerability scanning, and much more all in a budget-friendly uniquely designed package catering to each firm’s individual needs.
-WhiteHat Security
WhiteHat Security is one of the most well-known and respected pentesting companies in the world. They offer a wide range of services, including vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, security audits, and application security testing. WhiteHat Security is also known for its ethical hacking courses, which are some of the best in the industry.
-NCC Group
Another well-known penetration testing firm is NCC Group, which has years of expertise in the area. They offer a variety of services, including vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, security audits, and malware analysis. NCC Group is also known for its training courses, which are some of the best in the industry.
-Synack
Synack is a pentesting company that was founded in 2014 by two former NSA hackers. They provide a range of services, including vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, and security evaluation. Synack is also known for its crowdsourced pentesting platform, which allows organizations to hire freelance pentesters from around the world.
-Rapid Pentest
Rapid Pentest is a pentesting company that offers a variety of services, including vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and security audits. Rapid Pentest is also known for its fast turnaround times, which allows organizations to get results quickly.
If you want to learn the penetration Testing full course or wanted to become certified in penetration Testing, the best place to start is with WsCube Tech. WsCube Tech provides an online penetration testing course as well as an offline course that provides students with all the technical knowledge and skills required for a successful career in hacking, hacking defense, or cyber forensics expert. By enrolling in one of the courses, students will receive a certificate of completion upon successfully completing the course and earning its certification.
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