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cyber penetration testing

Penetration Testing
Penetration Testing

What is Penetration Testing in Cyber Security 2025

Penetration testing, also called pen testing, describes processes, tools, and services designed and implemented to simulate attacks and data breaches and find security vulnerabilities. You can run a pentest on a computer system, an entire network, or a web application.   The primary aim of a pentest is to identify vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. There are various ways through which the identified vulnerabilities can be discovered. You can choose either manual pen tests, executed by a team of white hat hackers, or automated penetration testing, carried out by a software solution. Curious to learn more? Let’s dive in! What are the Benefits of Penetration Testing? Ideally, software and systems were designed to avoid hazardous security vulnerabilities in the design. A pen test shows how close it came to achieving that goal. Pen testing can help an organization in these ways:   Penetration Testing Process   The penetration testing involves the following five fundamental stages:   Penetration Testing Methods   Let’s dive deeper into penetration testing methods that ethical hackers use to uncover vulnerabilities effectively. 1. External testing External penetration tests target the assets of a company that is visible on the internet, for example, the web application itself, the company website and email, as well as domain name servers (DNS). The goal is to gain access to valuable data. 2. Internal testing In an internal test, a tester who has access to the backside of an application behind its firewall simulates the attack of a malicious insider. This is not necessarily simulating a rogue employee. An ordinary starting scenario may be a worker whose ID and password were stolen because of a phishing attack. 3. Blind testing In a blind test, only the name of the enterprise that is under attack is given to the tester. This provides security personnel with a real-time view of how an actual application assault would occur. 4. Double-blind testing Security personnel do not know what kind of simulated attack will occur in a double-blind test. Just as in the real world, they would have no idea when their defenses were about to be tested before a breach attempt occurred. 5. Targeted testing In this given condition, both the penetration tester and security personnel collaborate with each other and keep one another informed of their actions. It is very useful training in which a security team gets real-time feedback from a hacker’s point of view. Penetration Testing Tools Pen testers use a variety of tools to discover vulnerabilities. Some of the most popular tools are: Penetration testing companies are using large and complex business-critical operations, as well as custom components. Some penetration tests are necessary when the software under development is to handle sensitive data or assets such as customer information, financial assets, and transaction data. Sensitive sectors like the government, medical, and financial services industries are under high regulation; they thus require strong security measures.   cybersecurity Suppose the recent infiltration provides your organization with a rather unpleasant experience. In that case, pen testing will offer powerful insight into the loopholes through which the breach was made, along with suggestions on mitigating them. In addition to the detected vulnerabilities, which were perhaps not yet exploited, this is also advantageous in preventing other future attacks. Pen Test Challenges Though extremely rewarding, penetration testing comes with certain challenges:   1. Limited Pool of Experts: Trained and certified pen testers are high-demand specialists whose utilization can be challenging. 2. Constantly Evolving Threats: Cybercriminals are ever devising new ways in which to implement their campaigns, making it difficult for the pen tests to keep up. 3. Cost and Time: Conducting penetration testing typically takes time and financial resources and is a burden on small businesses. Real-World Cases of Online Penetration Testing Organizations resort to online penetration testing for large and complex business-critical operations; equally, for custom components, online penetration testing is aimed at developing software in situations involving the handling of sensitive data, extending from financial assets to customer information and transaction data. These sensitive clients include regulated industries such as government, healthcare, and financial services, and thus require state-of-the-art security measures.   If there was a breach in your organization, pen testing can help you examine the weaknesses that allowed the penetration and also provide suggestions on how to rectify those. Besides, you will find other vulnerable spots that were not exploited but still need to be secured to foil any future attempts of a breach. Penetration Testing Services automated penetration testingTwo types of penetration testing services include manual penetration tests and automated penetration tests.   Manual penetration is detailed, time-consuming, and mostly one of the oldest methods; it is always done by the outside contractor or security consultancy and always in agreement with the client on the scope of the testing engaged in. A certified ethical hacker, after an agreement with the contracted organization, attempts to seek internal and external weaknesses and tries to break into the organization’s computer systems within that testing scope and creates a report detailing the findings along with recommendations to fix the flaws found.   In Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS), the modern model combining automated frameworks seeking vulnerability testing across organizations is evolving. Thus testing with PTaaS software makes ease of access to the penetration testing-and it uses newer technologies like vulnerability scanning, dynamic application security testing (DAST), and fuzzing. PTaaS operates employing a mix of algorithms and technologies to allow super testing for finding security weaknesses and attempts to exploit them-without human assistance. Talk to our Cybersecurity Expert to discuss your specific needs and how we can help your business. Schedule a Call How Frequently would you do the Pen Testing? The frequency of penetration testing depends on your industry and its risk level. Generally, experts recommend:   Conclusion Penetration testing is a crucial element of cybersecurity companies. Simulating real-world attacks helps organizations build their defenses, regulate sensitive information, and establish trust with stakeholders alike. Whether one is a small startup or a multinational corporation, pen

Cyber Security Penetration Testing - An Ultimate Guide_qualysec
Cyber security, Penetration Testing

What is Cyber Security Penetration Testing?

Cyber security penetration testing is a security exercise where penetration testers find and exploit vulnerabilities in applications and networks with permission. Organizations appoint a cybersecurity penetration testing company to hack their systems to look for weaknesses that they could use to enhance their security posture. 75% of companies perform penetration tests for security and compliance needs. In this blog, we are going to learn more about cyber security penetration testing, its different types, and how it helps with compliance requirements. Note that, penetration testing is an essential step in cybersecurity and businesses should conduct it regularly if they don’t want their applications to get hacked. What is Cyber Security Penetration Testing? The main goal of cyber security penetration testing is to find weak spots in a system’s defense systems before an attacker finds them and takes advantage of them. It is like hiring a thief to steal from your company’s vault. If the thief succeeds, you will know which areas are the weakest and how to tighten your security. Cybersecurity pen testing is usually done on a company’s digital assets such as web apps, mobile apps, networks, cloud, APIs, etc. The end goal of doing penetration testing is to secure the business from unauthorized access, data breaches, financial loss, and overall cyberattacks. Penetration testers (a.k.a ethical hackers) are skilled and certified professionals who try to break into your system and check whether they can break in. If they succeed, then there is a vulnerability. If not, then the defense is strong. Through this process, the organization gains valuable information on its security defenses. Who Performs Penetration Tests? Usually, penetration tests are conducted by cybersecurity professionals, also called “ethical hackers, ” since they are hired to hack into a system with the organization’s permission. Typically, the task of a penetration test is given to a third-party security company, as it is best to have the test performed by someone who has little to no prior information about the target system. This is because, the testers will behave like actual attackers, following the same steps they would take. Additionally, they may expose weak spots missed by the developers who built the system. Many penetration testers or pen testers are experienced developers with advanced degrees and certifications for ethical hacking. Additionally, some testers are reformed criminal hackers who now use their skills to help fix security issues rather than exploit them. The best team to carry out a pen test is to hire a specialized penetration testing company. How Does Cyber Penetration Testing Work? In cyber security penetration testing, ethical hackers use their skills to find and exploit vulnerabilities in the organization’s systems before real hackers do. They educate themselves on the latest technologies and their potential weaknesses. They mimic cybercriminals by copying their tactics, techniques, and procedures to penetrate systems, to root out IT vulnerabilities effectively. The idea behind cybersecurity pen testing is to find and patch vulnerabilities before attackers find and use them for their gain. Sometimes the pen testers use automated tools that expose the weaknesses in the operating systems, networks, applications, and clouds. But mostly, they use a more manual approach to conduct an in-depth analysis and find vulnerabilities missed by the tools.   Penetration Testing Steps: Curious to see what a real cyber penetration test report looks like? Well, here’s your chance. Click the link below and download a sample report in seconds! Latest Penetration Testing Report Download How Often Should You Pen Test? Penetration testing in cyber security should be conducted regularly – at least once a year – for better security and consistent IT operations. Conducting penetration testing once or even twice a year can help organizations keep their applications and networks safe from changing cyber threats. In addition, penetration testing is also done when the business needs to comply with industry regulations like GDPR, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, etc. Additionally, businesses should conduct penetration testing when: What Should You Do After a Pen Test? Simply conducting a pen test to check it off the list is not enough for the betterment of your security. You also need to spend appropriate time and effort to use the results of the cyber security Penetration Testing. Here are 3 essential things you need to do after a pen test: 1. Review the Details of the Pen Test Report A pen test report generally consists of three things – vulnerabilities detected, the impact of those vulnerabilities, and remediation methods. Additionally, the report shows how the infrastructure was exploited, helping organizations understand and address the root causes of security issues. 2. Create a Remediation Plan and Confirm with Retest The initial pen test report will highlight the security issues along with their remediation measures. Organizations should create a plan to follow those remediation orders based on the severity of the vulnerabilities. When the remediation is over, organizations should validate it by asking the testing team to retest the application.  3. Use the Pen Test Findings in your Long-term Security Strategy Pen tests often reveal the root causes of security issues that may require changes to your overall security strategy. Penetration testing is not a one-time thing, the true value of security pen testing is to perform it regularly to reduce the risk of changing cyber threats. What Is the Difference Between Vulnerability Scans and Pen Tests? A vulnerability scan uses automated tools to find weaknesses in a system, but a pen test uses manual techniques to find weaknesses and attempts to exploit them. Here’s a comparison of vulnerability scans and penetration testing. Aspect Vulnerability Scans Pen Tests Purpose Identify and report known vulnerabilities Simulate real-world attacks to find and exploit security weaknesses Analysis Depth Surface-level identification of vulnerabilities In-depth analysis and exploitation of vulnerabilities Tools Used Mostly uses automated tools Uses both automated tools and manual techniques Frequency Can be done regularly – once or twice a month Usually done once or twice a year Skill Required Requires high-level development and testing skills Requires high level development and

What is Cyber Penetration Testing and Its Types
cyber penetration testing, cybersecurity penetration testing

What is Cyber Penetration Testing – Types, Importance, Compliance

Cyber penetration testing is a security exercise where penetration testers find and exploit vulnerabilities in applications and networks with permission. Organizations appoint a cybersecurity penetration testing company to hack their systems to look for weaknesses that they could use to enhance their security posture. 75% of companies perform penetration tests for security and compliance needs. In this blog, we are going to learn more about cyber penetration testing, its different types, and how it helps with compliance requirements. Note that, penetration testing is an essential step in cybersecurity and businesses should conduct it regularly if they don’t want their applications to get hacked. What is Cyber Security Penetration Testing? The main goal of cyber security penetration testing is to find weak spots in a system’s defense systems before an attacker finds them and takes advantage of. It is like hiring a thief to steal from your company’s vault. If the thief succeeds, you will know which areas are the weakest and how to tighten your security. Cybersecurity pen testing is usually done on a company’s digital assets such as web apps, mobile apps, networks, cloud, APIs, etc. The end goal of doing penetration testing is to secure the business from unauthorized access, data breaches, financial loss, and overall cyberattacks. Penetration testers (a.k.a ethical hackers) are skilled and certified professionals who try to break into your system and check whether they can break in. If they succeed, then there is a vulnerability. If not, then the defense is strong. Through this process, the organization gains valuable information on its security defenses. Who Performs Penetration Tests? Usually, penetration tests are conducted by cybersecurity professionals, also called “ethical hackers, ” since they are hired to hack into a system with the organization’s permission. Typically, the task of a penetration test is given to a third-party security company, as it is best to have the test performed by someone who has little to no prior information about the target system. This is because, the testers will behave like actual attackers, following the same steps they would take. Additionally, they may expose weak spots missed by the developers who built the system. Many penetration testers or pen testers are experienced developers with advanced degrees and certifications for ethical hacking. Additionally, some testers are reformed criminal hackers who now use their skills to help fix security issues rather than exploit them. The best team to carry out a pen test is to hire a specialized penetration testing company. How Does Cyber Penetration Testing Work? In cyber penetration testing, ethical hackers use their skills to find and exploit vulnerabilities in the organization’s systems before real hackers do. They educate themselves on the latest technologies and their potential weaknesses. They mimic cybercriminals by copying their tactics, techniques, and procedures to penetrate systems, to root out IT vulnerabilities effectively. The idea behind cybersecurity pen testing is to find and patch vulnerabilities before attackers find and use them for their gain. Sometimes the pen testers use automated tools that expose the weaknesses in the operating systems, networks, applications, and clouds. But mostly, they use a more manual approach to conduct an in-depth analysis and find vulnerabilities missed by the tools. Penetration Testing Steps: Curious to see what a real cyber penetration test report looks like? Well, here’s your chance. Click the link below and download a sample report in seconds! Latest Penetration Testing Report Download How Often Should You Pen Test? Penetration testing should be conducted regularly – at least once a year – for better security and consistent IT operations. Conducting penetration testing once or even twice a year can help organizations keep their applications and networks safe from changing cyber threats. In addition, penetration testing is also done when the business needs to comply with industry regulations like GDPR, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, etc. Additionally, businesses should conduct penetration testing when: What Should You Do After a Pen Test? Simply conducting a pen test to check it off the list is not enough for the betterment of your security. You also need to spend appropriate time and effort to use the results of the pen test. Here are 3 essential things you need to do after a pen test: 1. Review the Details of the Pen Test Report A pen test report generally consists of three things – vulnerabilities detected, impact of those vulnerabilities, and remediation methods. Additionally, the report shows how the infrastructure was exploited, helping organizations understand and address the root causes of security issues. 2. Create a Remediation Plan and Confirm with Retest The initial pen test report will highlight the security issues along with their remediation measures. Organizations should create a plan to follow those remediation orders based on the severity of the vulnerabilities. When the remediation is over, organizations should validate it by asking the testing team to retest the application.  3. Use the Pen Test Findings in your Long-term Security Strategy Pen tests often reveal the root causes of security issues that may require changes to your overall security strategy. Penetration testing is not a one-time thing, the true value of pen testing is to perform it regularly to reduce the risk of changing cyber threats. What Is the Difference Between Vulnerability Scans and Pen Tests? A vulnerability scan uses automated tools to find weaknesses in a system, but a pen test uses manual techniques to find weaknesses and attempts to exploit them. Aspect Vulnerability Scans Pen Tests Purpose Identify and report known vulnerabilities Simulate real-world attacks to find and exploit security weaknesses Analysis Depth Surface-level identification of vulnerabilities In-depth analysis and exploitation of vulnerabilities Tools Used Mostly uses automated tools Uses both automated tools and manual techniques Frequency Can be done regularly – once or twice a month Usually done once or twice a year Skill Required Requires high-level development and testing skills Requires high level development and testing skills Result Generates a list of potential vulnerabilities Provides a detailed report of vulnerabilities identified, their impact, and remediation recommendations

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Pabitra Kumar Sahoo

Pabitra Kumar Sahoo

COO & Cybersecurity Expert

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Pabitra Kumar Sahoo

Pabitra Kumar Sahoo

COO & Cybersecurity Expert