The cyber security landscape is evolving and so are hackers, who keep finding new ways to perform cyber attacks. This may be why security breaches are becoming more frequent and fierce with the passage of time.
Another reason is the rise in modern hacking tools. When pieces of innovative technology fall into the wrong hands, you need to take measures to prevent their use against your organization. A penetration test is one such measure to help you uncover blind spots in your cybersecurity framework, potentially vulnerable areas that hackers can exploit.
Aside from helping companies correct their security posture, it enables cybersecurity professionals to categorize shortcomings on the basis of their associated risks. Moreover, it ensures the testing framework conforms to various compliances.
Cyber Security Anbieter Explains 6 Forms of Penetration Tests
Penetration testing is categorized into six major types that collectively offer all-round security to your company’s IT infrastructure. Let's take a look at each of them below -
- Network services
This is one of the most well-known and commonly used penetration tests. It involves assessing various network devices like LAN, routers, and switches. A cyber security anbieter usually suggests companies conduct yearly internal and external network tests.
- Web application
In this form of penetration testing, web-based applications are analyzed for vulnerabilities. In addition to checking web applications, a web application penetration test also helps discover weaknesses in several components of databases and browsers including plugins and java scriptlets. Each test is targeted at a specific component and executed while determining every touchpoint of the application with respect to the user. After this, the results are analyzed and examined for flaws.
- Client-side
As the name suggests, such a penetration test is carried out on client-side applications. This is done to identify possible threats against applications like multimedia flash players and email clients. Cyber security professionals can identify various attack vectors like open redirections, cross-site scripts and HTML injections with the help of these tests.
- Social engineering
This type of penetration test is conducted by imitating a hacker - that is, by attempting to retrieve private data from internal users through different means like tailgating or phishing. A social engineering penetration test helps you train your team to watch out for any fraudulent activity.
- Wireless
In a wireless penetration test, your IT assets are linked to each other as well as the internet. These assets often include laptops and PCs along with other IoT enabled computers that are a part of your IT infrastructure. This series of tests is recommended to be performed at the office because access to the WiFi network is required.
- Physical
Physical penetration testing involves cybersecurity professionals trying to cross physical barriers to see if they can gain access to the IT assets and staff of the company. Therefore, it is useful in uncovering faults or vulnerabilities in the organization’s sensors, locks, and other physical barriers applied for protection, as you can gain insight on how to improve and fortify your company’s security posture.
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