7 Stages of Penetration Testing for Businesses

We live in a time where technological advancements are transforming the world. Companies are constantly creating innovative solutions that improve efficiency and simplify daily tasks for individuals globally. However, it is essential to acknowledge the darker side of technology - the unethical practices of some individuals who disrupt progress by hacking and corrupting data. 

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A company's security must defend against cybercriminals' attacks, safeguard sensitive information, and shield it from potential financial and reputational harm. This is where enterprise or business penetration testing plays a vital role.

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Enterprise penetration testing, pen testing, involves systematically testing an enterprise's IT network systems to identify vulnerabilities. This process is akin to ethical hacking and helps detect weaknesses in the system's defenses.

How Does Penetration Testing Benefit Businesses?

Regular and thorough pentests help enterprise businesses stay prepared for security threats. Companies can prevent potential financial, legal, and safety consequences from security breaches caused by unauthorized hackers.

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Imagine you are a credit rating agency holding a large amount of customer data. If this information falls into the wrong hands, it could harm your customers and your organization's reputation. Cybercriminals could use this data for scams or phishing schemes. A security breach could result in a lack of confidence in your ability to safeguard customer interests.

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Regular penetration tests can help you prepare for cyber-attacks, comply with cybersecurity regulations, keep your IT systems secure, and ensure your security experts are always vigilant.

Types of Penetration Testing for Enterprises

Various penetration tests can be carried out depending on the business size, focus, and objectives. Here are a few popular types of penetration tests that are commonly performed for businesses:

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• External testing involves simulating an attack on an organization's external IT systems and networks, which include its website, public web applications, servers, and network infrastructure accessible from the Internet.
• An organization's internal IT systems and networks are simulated during internal testing to see how well they can withstand attacks. This includes testing its internal network infrastructure, servers, workstations, endpoints, and internal software applications.
• Web application testing examines an organization's web applications and websites for potential vulnerabilities. Penetration testers search for security weaknesses like XSS, SQL injection, and remote code execution.
• Mobile application testing concentrates on assessing an organization's mobile applications. Penetration testers search for weaknesses like insecure data storage, inadequate authentication and authorization, and the absence of encryption in these applications.
• Cloud penetration testing centers on examining an organization's cloud computing setup. Penetration testers identify vulnerabilities such as unsecured entry points, improperly configured cloud assets, and outdated software.
• Social engineering tests aim to deceive employees into revealing confidential information or violating security measures. These tests can include tactics like phishing emails, phone calls, text messages, or impersonation schemes. Penetration testers may go through a company's discarded materials or leave a USB drive with malware in the parking lot to test if an employee will insert it out of curiosity.

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Also read: How to Report Phishing Emails?

Steps of Penetration Testing for Enterprises

A well-executed enterprise penetration test follows a methodical approach, with seven key steps for comprehensive cybersecurity testing outlined below:

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Plan the Scope

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To begin, it is essential to:

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• Outline the scope of work
• Define your expectations for the penetration testing service provider Specify the testing methods
• Ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards.

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This alignment between you and the testing team is necessary for flawless business operations while your system's defenses are evaluated.

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Having a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in place with your testers is advisable to safeguard sensitive information that may be accessed during the testing process.

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Gather Information

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The second phase of a penetration testing project is reconnaissance, which involves gathering important information for the testing process. During this phase, testers utilize different techniques and resources to acquire extensive knowledge about the organization's cybersecurity defenses they are assessing.

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This information may be obtained from open-source intelligence or through in-depth research on the company and gathering details from its employees.

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When testing web applications, it is often sufficient for experienced penetration testers to collect target data from the spiders and crawlers used by search engines on these applications. This provides valuable insights and detailed information for testing purposes.

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Assess Vulnerabilities

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As the title implies, this stage evaluates the weaknesses in the enterprise's security system after they have been identified through investigations of the target system. This assessment thoroughly examines the target network to reveal potential vulnerabilities.

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The penetration testing phase concludes when the risks linked to the target system, like remote code execution vulnerabilities and cross-site scripting risks, are measured, and the security audits are recorded.

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Must Read: Vulnerability Assessment vs Penetration Testing.

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Exploit Vulnerabilities

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This is the main penetration testing phase, where the vulnerabilities found and assessed earlier are actively exploited to evaluate how well the target system can withstand a malicious attack. Testers follow a well-prepared action plan based on the identified weaknesses, which allows them to attempt to access the target system methodically.

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While it may not be feasible to exploit every identified vulnerability, penetration testers' primary goal is to gain access to the target system rather than exploit every weakness. Each successful exploitation provides the tester with valuable insights into the target system.

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Maintain Access

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Risk assessment in cybersecurity is a serious process that takes time. The phase of maintaining access, also known as lateral movement, occurs after testers have successfully entered the target system. Once access is granted, IT security administrators may attempt to reset or reboot the system to disconnect the testers.

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Clean Up

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Cleaning up after completing work is often the least enjoyable task for many, but it is crucial in business penetration testing. This phase, known as artifact destruction, involves removing all software, agents, and temporary files the testers use from the target system.

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During this process, all data and configurations, including usernames and credentials, are restored to their original state. For example, the target system returns to its normal condition before testing begins.

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Debrief and Re-test

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What is the value of conducting a thorough test and documenting the findings if the results are not effectively shared with the enterprise's security team and management? The results of a cybersecurity assessment should be clear and straightforward, highlight the vulnerabilities that were found and exploited, and provide recommendations for fixes. They should include both a technical report and a summary to assist decision-makers in determining the next steps. 

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After the necessary fixes are implemented and the security issues in the target system are resolved, it is best practice to conduct a re-test to verify that the solutions were successful.

Ethical and Legal Compliance Considerations

When conducting penetration tests, it is vital to prioritize information security management. This is essential because you are working with sensitive and critical data, which requires adherence to specific ethical and legal standards for the company and as a penetration testing service provider.

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Many valuable data protection and privacy laws, as well as ethical guidelines, provide direction for business penetration testing. These laws may differ by industry but are designed for similar purposes, including ISO 27001, an international standard for information security management.

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Legal Compliance Standards for Business Penetration Testing

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Before starting a penetration test for your business, understand the legal regulations you must follow to remain compliant with the law. These compliance laws for penetration testing can vary by industry and may also differ across different regions.

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While conducting a controlled test for your organization, it is essential to be familiar with all the regulations related to business penetration testing for your specific industry and location.

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Pay attention to data protection laws, like GDPR, PCI DSS, or HIPAA, designed to ensure your employees' and users' privacy and safety. You are responsible for protecting the personal information that stakeholders have entrusted to your organization during the penetration testing process.

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Another important factor is to fully respect the intellectual property rights of all parties involved, whether directly or indirectly. This includes protecting trademarks, patents, and copyrights.

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Ethical Guidelines for Business Penetration Testing

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The pen tester, or ethical hacker, is responsible for ensuring that their testing methods do not harm the IT networks or infrastructure being examined. This can be maintained by adhering to the ethical guidelines that are in place to oversee the actions of ethical hackers during penetration tests and the techniques they employ.

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Ethical hacking guidelines ensure pen testers conduct their planned tests with the proper authorizations and permissions. These guidelines emphasize the importance of respecting data privacy and avoiding methods that could harm or disrupt the IT environment of the tested organization. 

Choosing a Business Penetration Testing Provider

Every business has unique characteristics, which means its security requirements are also distinct. It is important to identify and select the right penetration testing service provider. Before you commit your company's security to a provider, take the time to consider some important questions to make sure they align with your business's needs.

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• What are your business’s specific security requirements? 
• What are your security team's current strengths and weaknesses?  
• How adequate is your current security protection?

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Penetration Services providers like ioSENTRIX meet your business's unique requirements. We adhere to best practices in penetration testing to ensure the security of your enterprise.

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To learn more about our service, contact us today!

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