Importance and Approach to Penetration Testing

In this article we will dig into the importance of Penetration Testing your infrastructure as many information- and cybersecurity frameworks recommends or mandates.

Penetration testing, often referred to as "pentesting", and is a vital element for securing an organization's IT infrastructure. The process involves an authorized attempt to exploit the vulnerabilities in a system, essentially mimicking the actions of potential adversaries. While it's not a cure-all silverbullet, understanding how to correctly plan, conduct, and interpret the results of a pentest is crucial to fortifying a system's defense mechanisms.

Why are Pentests Essential?

Just as a financial audit validates an organization's financial practices, a pentest provides assurance in an organization's vulnerability assessment and management processes. It shouldn't primarily be used for identifying vulnerabilities; instead, the findings should aim to enhance the organization's internal vulnerability detection and management.

By using the same tools and techniques that adversaries might employ, pentesting can highlight the level of risk emanating from software and hardware vulnerabilities. In essence, the primary value lies in verifying your organization's expectations of existing vulnerabilities and uncovering subtle issues that may have slipped through the cracks.

Framing and Planning for a Pentest

Firstly, an organization needs to decide which systems should be tested. Pentesting is useful for evaluating specific operational systems comprising products and services from multiple vendors, or in-house developed systems and applications.

Planning a pentest involves identifying a qualified and experienced external team capable of performing tests on your IT estate. During the initial engagement, any unusual systems that require specialized skills should be highlighted.

Scoping, a critical step, should involve risk owners, technical staff with knowledge of the target system, and a representative of the pentest team. The scoping process should outline any areas of concern, technical boundaries of the IT estate, and define what testing will give a comprehensive vulnerability status. At this stage, sharing a current vulnerability assessment with the testers allows the design of a test that supports a reasonable opinion on the internal vulnerability assessment's accuracy and completeness.

Lastly, special requirements such as out-of-hours testing or handling restrictions for critical systems should be defined during scoping.

Conducting a Pentest

Pentesting can involve varying degrees of information about your system:

• Whitebox testing: Testers are given full information about the target. This confirms the effectiveness of internal vulnerability assessment and management controls.
• Blackbox testing: Testers receive no information about the target’s internals, mimicking an attacker with no prior knowledge about the system.

During the testing phase, maintaining contact with a technical point of contact is crucial. The testers should take care to avoid undue system impact. However, unexpected reactions may occur due to the nature of penetration testing.

NB! There is a "middle ground" approach called Greybox testing, that?splits the difference by providing the pentesting team with partial knowledge of the system internals. For example, a gray box tester may not have complete knowledge of an application's source code but may have partial knowledge of it and/or access eg. API documentation.

Presenting the Results and Dealing with Them

Upon completion of a penetration test, the testers provide a report detailing uncovered security issues, level of risk for each vulnerability, proposed resolutions, and advice on improving internal vulnerability assessment processes.

Each vulnerability is typically rated using the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) to identify the severity of a vulnerability. CHECK reports categorize risk level as HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW, or INFORMATIONAL in descending order of criticality. Deviations should be documented and justified by the penetration testing team.

Once you have the report, your organization's vulnerability management group should assess it similarly to the results of an internal vulnerability assessment. The team must give particular attention to previously unknown vulnerabilities and contemplate ways to identify such issues in the future. Solutions proposed by the penetration testers may not be the only ones possible, so consulting with internal technical staff and suppliers on alternatives is recommended.

Pentesting is a valuable practice, but it's essential to remember that it only verifies that IT systems are not vulnerable to known issues on the day of the test. It should be one part of a robust, multifaceted cybersecurity strategy that continues to evolve in

How to Conduct a Penetration Test

Conducting a successful penetration test involves several steps:

• Initial Engagement of the External Team

To ensure a successful penetration test, you need a team of experts with relevant qualifications and skills to examine your IT infrastructure. If you have any uncommon systems (mainframes, uncommon networking protocols, bespoke hardware, etc.), these should be highlighted in the bid process so that the external teams understand the requisite skill sets.

• Scoping the Test

Scoping is the process of determining the parameters of your penetration test. All relevant risk owners, technical staff, and representatives of the penetration testing team should be involved. The goal of the scoping phase is to identify areas of special concern, outline the technical boundaries of your IT estate, and ensure the testing will provide a full picture of the vulnerability status.

• Testing

This is where the rubber meets the road. During testing, the penetration testing team carries out a systematic check of your systems for vulnerabilities. It's vital to maintain open lines of communication with your testing team throughout this stage. The testers should make every effort to avoid causing undue impact on the system being tested, but it's impossible to guarantee that no unexpected reactions will occur.

How to Present and Deal with the Result

Reporting

Once the testing phase is over, the test team prepares a report. This report includes:

1. The security issues and vulnerabilities uncovered.
2. An assessment of the level of risk each vulnerability poses.
3. Proposed methods for resolving each issue.
4. An opinion on the accuracy of your organization's vulnerability assessment.
5. Suggestions on how to improve your internal vulnerability assessment process.

Brandvakt always suggest a debriefing session which can serve as a useful walk through the findings and seek further information or clarification.

Severity Rating

As mentioned above, when rating vulnerabilities, it's common to use systems like the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) to identify the severity of a vulnerability. Vulnerabilities should be categorized at different levels in a consistent manner, but exceptions can occur. Any deviation from the standard rating should be documented and justified.

Follow Up on the Report

Conduct Your Own Assessment

While the penetration testing team will provide a thorough analysis and recommendations, it's crucial to carry out your own assessment. This includes reviewing the report, understanding the implications of the identified vulnerabilities, and making decisions about risk mitigation. It's your organization's responsibility to assess the risk and decide on the best course of action, of course Brandvakt can guide you in the process of assessing the results.

Address Unknown Vulnerabilities

Special attention should be given to any vulnerabilities identified in the test that your team wasn't previously aware of. This gives your team an opportunity to learn and develop strategies to identify such issues in the future.

Choose Solutions

The proposed solutions by the penetration testers are not the only options. Consider advice from your own technical staff and suppliers for alternative solutions. This process allows your organization to balance the security risks with business needs. Typical examples could be to uninstall a vulnerable application if it is in fact not used, limit the access to it, insert appropriate monitoring etc.

How Brandvakt and Cobalt.IO Can Assist

Brandvakt has long-term partnership with Cobalt.IO to provide a robust cybersecurity solution that combines the strengths of both companies. Cobalt.IO is renowned for its Penetration Testing as a Service (PtaaS) model, which offers continuous, collaborative, and efficient penetration testing to clients. This model involves multiple interactions and ongoing communications, making it an excellent fit for organizations seeking a comprehensive, dynamic, and adaptive approach to cybersecurity.

With Cobalt.IO's PtaaS, you get access to a global talent pool of certified pentesters who can provide real-time insights and actionable remediation advice. They conduct thorough penetration tests using a methodology that balances manual and automated testing. Their interactive platform facilitates ongoing communication between the pentesters, Brandvakt, and your organization. This enables your team to address vulnerabilities immediately, rather than waiting for a final report.

How Brandvakt Complements Cobalt.IO's Penetration Testing

Brandvakt works hand in hand with Cobalt.IO’s penetration testing team, creating a seamless integration of services. When vulnerabilities are discovered by the pentesters, Brandvakt acts as a liaison between your organization and the testing team. It facilitates effective communication, ensures a clear understanding of the findings, and aids in the development of practical solutions to address these vulnerabilities.

Brandvakt's role does not stop at communication and clarification. It also assists in the remediation process. With a detailed understanding of your organization’s systems and business needs, Brandvakt helps guide the implementation of fixes and countermeasures that align with your risk appetite and operational requirements. This collaborative approach ensures that not only are vulnerabilities identified, but they are also addressed in a manner that suits your organization.

Moreover, Brandvakt's capabilities go beyond addressing vulnerabilities identified through penetration testing. It can help your organization build a robust cybersecurity culture, offering continuous risk assessments, implementing best-practice security policies, and fostering awareness among employees. This holistic approach to cybersecurity management contributes to a strong, resilient security posture.

Conclusion

Penetration testing is a vital aspect of your organization's cybersecurity strategy. It provides insights into your system's vulnerabilities, informs your vulnerability management processes, and tests the efficacy of your security measures. However, it requires careful planning, expert execution, and thoughtful analysis and response to the results. Remember, the goal of penetration testing is not just to expose vulnerabilities but to improve your organization's overall security posture. It's a continuous process and a fundamental part of the broader cybersecurity framework. Brandvakt can aid in in your penetration testing efforts to provide a seamless and effective approach to unveiling and mitigating your vulnerabilities.?Do not hesitate to contact us for further details on how we can aid you in your penetration testing efforts at [email protected].