What are the best ways to present penetration testing report findings?

Effectively presenting penetration testing report findings hinges on understanding the audience. I think tailoring the report to the specific needs and preferences of different audiences is crucial. For technical audiences, providing in-depth details on vulnerabilities, exploits, and remediation steps is essential. Conversely, for management and executive audiences, concise summaries, highlights, and a focus on business impacts are more pertinent. This personalized approach ensures that the report resonates with each audience, facilitating better comprehension and decision-making based on the findings.

Presenting penetration test results requires first understanding the audience you are targeting. Different audiences have different technical expertise, interest, and authority, thus the report must be adapted to their needs. Technical teams may need vulnerability, exploitation, and remediation details. Management and executives may be more interested in summaries, important points, and business implications. Recognizing these distinctions makes the report informative, entertaining, and relevant to each audience segment, helping to understand and address security risks.

When presenting penetration testing report findings, it is vital to prioritize clarity and effectiveness. A comprehensive executive summary should highlight key vulnerabilities and risks identified during the testing process. Visual aids such as charts and graphs can enhance the understanding of the findings. The use of non-technical language will ensure that non-technical stakeholders can comprehend the report. Lastly, it is crucial to provide actionable recommendations for addressing the vulnerabilities and mitigating risks identified, enabling the stakeholders to take appropriate actions.

It's very importance of customizing a penetration testing report for different audiences: - technical details report for IT experts, and concise - impact summary report for management and executives Also we should ensure clarity relevance and balance between technical and strategic information for all stakeholders

if every time you spend time to know your audience than it will be not productive instead create report in a way that can be delivered to both technical and non tech audience, using colours and graphics in report like red for danger zone makes sense. Instead for using security words alone use general words along with security term like vulnerabilities/Issues.

Start by providing an executive summary that offers a high-level overview of the findings, ideal for stakeholders who need a quick understanding of the risks without the technical details. Following this, include a detailed methodology section, explaining how the tests were conducted. The core of the report should detail the findings, categorizing them by severity and including clear, concise descriptions of each vulnerability, how it was exploited, and the potential impact. It's also crucial to provide specific, actionable recommendations for each finding.

It's important to convey complex technical information in a way that is accessible to all stakeholders, regardless of their technical expertise. Avoid using jargon or overly technical language. Instead, opt for plain language that clearly explains the risks and implications of each finding. Be concise in your descriptions, focusing on the significance of each vulnerability and its potential impact on the business.

I advocate for actively soliciting feedback on your penetration testing report and using it as a tool for continuous improvement. After presenting the findings, engage with the stakeholders to understand if the report meets their needs and expectations. Ask specifically about the clarity of the findings, the usefulness of the recommendations, and the overall readability of the report. This feedback is invaluable for refining your reporting process to make future reports more effective and user-friendly.

Begin with a punchy and concise executive summary that provides a high-level overview of the key findings and their impact on the organisation. This section is crucial for non-technical stakeholders who may not be familiar with the details of the testing. Remember, this is the most important section of your report. So, ensure that you translate the technical risk ratings into business risks and verify that the reader understands the "So what" factor of your findings.

1. Understand who will read or receive the report, and their specific interests. 2.Organize the report in a logical and easy-to-follow structure. Such as an executive summary, methodology, findings, proof of concept, recommendations, supporting evidence, headings and subheadings. 3.Incorporate visual aids such as charts, graphs, and diagrams to help illustrate key findings and trends. 4.Use clear and concise language to convey your findings. 5.Review the report, thoroughly proofread it for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. 6.Seek feedback from your audience to understand their perspectives and address any questions or concerns they may have. Use this feedback to improve future reports.