Penetration Testing
Unidentified vulnerabilities in an IT environment can have serious consequences if exploited by a malicious attacker. By performing regular penetration tests, Zacco can help you identify these vulnerabilities before an attacker does.
What is a penetration test?
Penetration tests are simulated intrusion attempts in which our testers work according to standardised methods. They help to identify vulnerabilities and demonstrate how these vulnerabilities can be exploited by an attacker.
What is the purpose of penetration testing?
- Penetration tests simulate real attacks to determine whether vulnerabilities can be exploited in practice and what impact an exploited vulnerability could have.
- They verify the security level of systems, applications or networks beyond what automatic vulnerability scans show.
- Penetration tests identify vulnerability chains – several minor weaknesses that together can lead to a breach.
- Penetration tests can be used to test an organisation’s detection and response capabilities.
- Your customers, authorities and other standards may even require penetration testing. Without a process in place, you will not meet this requirement.
The importance of penetration testing for organisations
A systematic approach to penetration testing comes with many advantages for your business and its Digital Trust. Penetration tests provide a realistic overview of your risk. Not only will they show that a vulnerability exists, but also how serious it is in practice. Based on the results, you can prioritise your actions and allocate resources to the weaknesses in a better way. Tests will serve as a training and improve your awareness as your personnel practises detecting and responding to attacks. Moreover, the reports from our penetration testers provide evidence for customers, partners or regulatory authorities that the security of an application, system and/or network has actually been tested. Our penetration testing services complement vulnerability scanning. Scanning is broad and continuous, while penetration testing is more comprehensive and realistic.
The penetration testing process
Expert penetration testers applying best practice testing methods
Zacco’s penetration testers work according to standard penetration testing methodologies that ensure the test is conducted systematically, is comprehensive and leads to useful results. For web application penetration tests, we work according to the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide. Infrastructure and network penetration tests are performed in accordance with PTES, OSSTMM, NIST SP800-115 and ISSAF.
All Zacco penetration testers have valid certifications within the field. Examples of certifications our testers hold are: OSCP, OSWP, GWAPT, GPEN, GXPN, GMOB, eCPPT, eWPT and CREST CPSA.
If you would like to discuss how Zacco can assist you detecting weaknesses in your IT infrastructure, reach out to one of our Digital Trust consultants and learn more about our penetration testing services.
