Cybersecurity breaches have become evident, and compliance mandates are becoming extremely important. Therefore, it’s crucial to safeguard your company’s data. The most effective approach to do that would be to conduct a penetration test. Nowadays, many security-conscious companies opt for penetration testing as their primary security engagement. There are many reasons why someone might choose to conduct a pentest. These reasons include enhancing security defences, lowering risk levels, and meeting compliance standards. In this blog, we’ll cover pentesting – what it means, why it’s important, and the different types of services available. We’ll also give insights on selecting the right service that fits your needs and a few common mistakes to avoid.

Introduction to Penetration Testing

Penetration testing means simulating a real-world cyberattack on a company’s computer system, network, or web application. The primary goal is to identify security vulnerabilities and offers ways to improve the company’s security posture.

A team of ethical hackers usually performs these engagements. They find system vulnerabilities using the same methods as malicious hackers.

When it comes to penetration testing, businesses can either conduct it in-house or outsource the service. Outsourcing can be a great choice for businesses that need more resources to conduct the tests themselves.

Why Businesses Need Penetration Testing Services

Businesses need penetration testing services to identify vulnerabilities in their computer systems, networks, and web applications. Hackers look for vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. For example, personal details, financial data, and intellectual property.

Penetration testing helps businesses identify and fix security weaknesses before hackers exploit them. It also helps businesses to comply with regulations and standards. For example – the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

Furthermore, conducting penetration testing can help businesses build trust with their customers and partners. By demonstrating a commitment to security, businesses can stand out from competitors and attract more customers.

Types of Penetration Testing Services

Companies can select a penetrating testing service that fits their requirements and budget. A few examples of popular penetration testing services are listed below.

• Infrastructure Penetration Testing: These engagements test the security posture of a company’s internal or external network infrastructure. It includes testing of routers, switches, firewalls, and servers.
• Web Application Penetration Testing: These engagements assess the security posture of the company’s web apps. For example – websites, portals, and e-services.
• Mobile Application Penetration Testing: These engagements test the security posture of mobile applications, for example, Android and iOS apps.
• Wireless Network Penetration Testing: These engagements assess the security posture of a company’s wireless network. For example, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Qualities to Look for in a Penetration Testing Service Provider

While choosing a pentesting service provider, you should look for certain qualities. It can ensure the company’s security is in good hands. Below are some qualities to look for in a pentesting service provider.

1. Experience and Expertise: The penetration testing service provider should have experience in the testing the company needs. They should also have a team of certified ethical hackers knowledgeable and skilled in the latest techniques and tools.
2. Reputation and References: The penetration testing service provider should have a good reputation in the industry and be able to provide some references from past clients. The company should also research to ensure the provider has not been involved in security breaches or ethical violations.
3. Methodology and Reporting: The penetration testing service provider should have a clear methodology for conducting the test and provide a detailed report that includes identified vulnerabilities, severity levels, and recommendations for remediation.
4. Communication and Availability: Make sure that your service provider has a clear communication channel and is available to assist you in case of any questions or concerns during and after the test.
   

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Penetration Testing Service Provider

In order to ensure that you are making the right choices, you can consider the following factors –

1. Cost: The cost of the penetration testing service should be within the company’s budget. However, the company should not compromise on quality for cost.
2. Scope and Timeline: The scope and timeline of the penetration testing service should be agreed upon by the company and the service provider. This includes the type of testing, the number of systems to be tested, and the test duration.
3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Your service provider must comply with legal and regulatory requirements, such as data protection laws and industry standards
4. Confidentiality and Data Protection: The penetration testing service provider should have clear policies and procedures for protecting the company’s confidential data.

How to Evaluate a Penetration Testing Service Provider

In order to ensure that the company chooses the right penetration testing service provider, it is important to evaluate them systematically. The given below are some of the ways to evaluate a penetration testing service provider:

1. Conduct Research: The company should research potential penetration testing service providers, including their reputation, experience, and methodology.
2. Request Proposals: The company should request proposals from at least three potential penetration testing service providers. The proposals should include the service’s scope, timeline, methodology, and cost details.
3. Review Proposals: The company should review and evaluate the proposals based on the abovementioned factors. The company should also ask for references and conduct background checks on the service providers.
4. Conduct Interviews: The company should interview potential service providers to assess their communication skills, availability, and expertise.
5. Make a Decision: The company should decide on the best penetration testing service provider for their needs based on the evaluation.

Questions to Ask a Penetration Testing Service Provider

In order to make an informed choice, companies should ask the right questions while evaluating a penetration testing service provider.

Questions may include the following:

• Asking about the testing background
• Asking about what certification an ethical hacker should hold
• Questions about the testing methodology
• What should be included in the report
• Question about safeguarding the data

Benefits of Outsourcing Penetration Testing Services

Outsourcing penetration testing services can provide several benefits to businesses, including:

1. Cost Savings: Outsourcing penetration testing services can be more cost-effective than conducting the test in-house. The company does not have to invest in expensive tools, hardware, and software and can avoid the costs of hiring and training a dedicated team.
2. Expertise: Outsourcing penetration testing services provides access to a team of certified ethical hackers with expertise in the latest techniques and tools.
3. Unbiased Perspective: An external penetration testing service provider can provide an unbiased perspective on the company’s security posture and identify vulnerabilities that in-house teams may have overlooked.
4. Compliance: Outsourcing penetration testing services can help businesses comply with legal and regulatory requirements, such as the PCI DSS and GDPR.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Penetration Testing Service Provider

Businesses should avoid several common mistakes when choosing a penetration testing service provider. These include:

1. Choosing Based on Cost Alone: Choosing a penetration testing service provider based on cost alone can compromise quality and effectiveness.
2. Lack of Clarity on Scope and Timeline: The company should be clear on the scope and timeline of the penetration testing service to avoid any misunderstandings or delays.
3. Lack of Communication: The company should maintain clear communication with the penetration testing service provider throughout the process to address all concerns and questions.
4. Not Verifying Credentials and References: The company should verify the credentials and references of the penetration testing service provider to ensure that they are reputable and trustworthy.

Closing Thoughts

Penetration testing is essential for ensuring a company’s data and information security. Businesses can identify vulnerabilities and improve their security posture by selecting the right penetration testing service provider. However, while selecting a penetration testing service provider, certain factors are to consider, such as experience, expertise, reputation, and methodology. These factors help mitigate common mistakes like choosing based solely on cost and lacking communication. Therefore, if you follow the steps outlined in this blog, you can make an informed decision and protect your valuable assets from potential cyber threats.

If you are looking to improve your organization’s security posture, contact us today to discuss your security testing needs. Our team of security professionals can help you identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in your systems, and provide recommendations to remediate them.

Redfox Security is a diverse network of expert security consultants with a global mindset and a collaborative culture. We proudly deliver robust security solutions with data-driven, research-based, and manual testing methodologies.

“Join us on our journey of growth and development by signing up for our comprehensive courses.“