An Explanation Of What A Penetration Test Is
One of the most common vulnerability assessments, a Penetration Test is an Information Security Assessment designed to discover any potential gaps or weaknesses within the network security of your company’s computer systems. Every firewall, web site, web program, and computer application that is part of your network will be vigorously tested during this process. The end result is to determine the possibility of an outside entity gaining access to your computer network.
Two common forms of Penetration Tests exist:
- Black Box Testing – Where only basic, false, or even no actual information except the company name is present within the system at the time of the test.
- White Box Testing – Where all of the information normally present within the system is present.
These network security vulnerability assessments are designed to gather the following information:
- Determining the effectiveness of certain common attack methods and procedures
- Identifying network vulnerabilities, especially those commonly missed by software applications
- Assess and estimate the magnitude of damage caused by a successful network breach
- Test all present security measures and their ability to identify, and repel, the attempted breach
- Provide any necessary recommendations for additional security measures or programs
The Many Benefits Of A Penetration Test
The multifaceted and extremely thorough nature of this assessment is one of its greatest values. Not only will you be made aware of any ways or means in which your established expectations of information security safeguards are not being met, we will also be able to advise you of any new methods or procedures which might be added to your existing set-up in order to raise the standard your company sets for information security and consumer confidence to the highest level.
Remember, even if your company is involved in an industry where regulations do not require a full security assessment, it is recommended that a Penetration Test be performed in order to verify how securely your IT network was set up. This is the absolute minimum that you can or should do to help protect your vital data and systems!
