Cyber security is an ongoing headache. There are always new threats, fresh compliance regulations, and all those other pesky tasks the information technology team has to address on a daily basis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main objective of pen testing is to identify security weaknesses, penetration testing tools can also be used to test the robustness of an organization’s security policy, its regulatory compliance, its employees’ security awareness, and the organization’s ability to identify and respond to security incidents as they occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you been wondering how much a pen test costs? This article answers these questions and more. Keep reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Pen test is also known as a penetration test or ethical hacking. It describes the intentional launching of simulated cyber attacks that seek out exploitable vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, websites, and applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are still skeptical, here\u2019s why you must get penetration testing for your business:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Standard pricing for penetration testing is not the norm in the security audit & penetration testing world. Most penetration testing services prefer not to disclose their pricing and rely on one-on-one quotations. This is because pen test cost tends to differ widely from application to application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are factors that determine the cost of a pen test:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
READ ALSO: 20 Best Small Business Tax Tips | 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pen testing costs are high due to the extensive testing plans. There are times pen-testing costs are proportional to the credentials of the security researcher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To choose the best option for you, you need to have a clear idea of what you wish to achieve with the test. If your application does not really require or is not at a stage to go through extensive tests, you can opt that out and go for a moderate pen test instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Experience and accreditations can be extremely valuable in security testing, so paying extra for that is not actually a bad idea. Testing the in & out of an application is a very delicate matter and should be handled with utmost care & attention, which often comes with experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SEE ALSO: How Does Affirm Make Money: Affirm Business Model<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n To decide on the most suitable penetration testing frequency for your organization you need to thoroughly understand your application & network, as well as your security objectives <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first stage involves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next step is to understand how the target application will respond to various intrusion attempts. This is typically done using:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This stage uses web application attacks, such as cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and backdoors, to uncover a target\u2019s vulnerabilities. Testers then try and exploit these vulnerabilities, typically by escalating privileges, stealing data, intercepting traffic, etc., to understand the damage they can cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you ever thought of starting a new business only to get deterred by the money involved? Read How To Start A Business With No Money<\/a><\/strong> In 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal of this stage is to see if the vulnerability can be used to achieve a persistent presence in the exploited system\u2014 long enough for a bad actor to gain in-depth access. The idea is to imitate advanced persistent threats, which often remain in a system for months in order to steal an organization\u2019s most sensitive data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The results of the penetration test are then compiled into a report detailing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n NMAP is a tool that discovers weaknesses in an enterprise\u2019s network environment. It can also be used for auditing purposes. NMAP takes raw data packets that have just been created and uses them to determine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n By using NMAP, organizations can create a virtual map of the network segment, and from there, pinpoint the major areas of weakness that a cyber attacker could potentially penetrate. NMAP can be used at any stage in the pen testing process<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than a single tool, Metasploit provides a package of different pen testing tools. It is a framework that is constantly evolving to keep up with today\u2019s ethical hackers, who are able to contribute their knowledge to this platform as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Powered by the PERL platform, Metasploit comes with an entire host of built-in exploits which can be used to execute various kinds of pen test, and these are even customizable. For example, it already comes with a built-in network sniffer, and various access points from which to mount and coordinate various kinds of cyber-based attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related Post: 200+ Online Business Ideas That Can Make You Wealth in 2022<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wireshark is an actual network protocol and data packet analyzer that can point out what is happening with the network and assess traffic for vulnerabilities in real-time. By reviewing connection-level information as well as the constituents of data packets, it highlights their characteristics, origin, destination, and more. While it flags potential weaknesses, a penetration testing tool is still required to exploit them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n W3AF is a pen testing suite created by the software developers at Metasploit. Its main purpose is to find and try to exploit any security weaknesses in web-based applications, and it consists of many tools that can root out these kinds of threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n JTR is a fast, efficient password cracker, currently available for many flavors of operating systems (Unix, macOS, Windows, DOS, BeOS, and OpenVMS). It can be used by pen testers to detect weak passwords and address the inherent weaknesses in typical password use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also: Get Paid to Test Products: 25 Website to Carryout Consumer Product Testing<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pen testing can be carried out in various ways such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n External penetration tests target the assets of a company that is visible on the internet, e.g., the web application itself, the company website, and email and domain name servers (DNS). The goal is to gain access to and extract valuable data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an internal test, a tester with access to an application behind its firewall simulates an attack by a malicious insider. This isn\u2019t necessarily simulating a rogue employee. A common starting scenario can be an employee whose credentials were stolen due to a phishing attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a blind test, a tester is only given the name of the enterprise that\u2019s being targeted. This gives security personnel a real-time look into how an actual application assault would take place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a double-blind test, security personnel have no prior knowledge of the simulated attack. As in the real world, they won\u2019t have any time to shore up their defenses before an attempted breach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this scenario, both the tester and security personnel work together and keep each other appraised of their movements. This is a valuable training exercise that provides a security team with real-time feedback from a hacker\u2019s point of view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When choosing a trusted and reputed third-party penetration testing service provider, look at <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also ask for a case study, known companies they worked with, customer reviews & testimonials, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A penetration test\u00a0usually involves the use of attacking methods conducted by trusted individuals that are similarly used by hostile intruders or hackers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Penetration testing can be an excellent career choice for individuals with strong computer, IT, and problem-solving skills<\/strong>. The BLS projects much faster-than-average growth for information security analysts, including penetration testers, from 2020 to 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n While it can be helpful to have a degree in computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity,\u00a0not all penetration testing jobs require a degree.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Freelance pentesters have the liberty of working from wherever they want unless they get subcontracted to work on on-site jobs that require them to travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n With cyber-attacks increasingly on the rise, it is very important than ever that organizations perform regular penetration testing to identify their vulnerability, exposures, block holes, and ensure that cyber controls are working as normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pen tests help the organization take a proactive stance as it seeks out weaknesses in its infrastructure (hardware), applications (software), and people in order to develop effective controls that are continuous and able to keep up with the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIs The Costliest Penetration Testing The Best?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Often Should I Perform A Penetration Test?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Are The Stages Of Penetration Test<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Planning and reconnaissance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Scanning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Gaining Access<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Maintaining access<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Analysis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Are Key Players In Penetration Testing<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. The Network Mapper<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Metasploit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Wireshark<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. The Web Application Attack and Audit Framework<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. John the Ripper<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Methods\u00a0Of\u00a0Penetration\u00a0Testing<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. External testing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Internal testing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Blind testing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Double-blind testing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Targeted testing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What To Look For In A Pen Testing Service\/Solution Provider?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
FAQs On Penetration Testing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
References<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We Also Recommend<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n