Penetration testing, also known as pen testing or ethical hacking, is the practice of testing a computer system, network or web application to find security vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit. The goal of penetration testing is to identify security weaknesses before a malicious hacker can find and take advantage of them.
Pen testing helps organizations improve their security posture by proactively finding and fixing vulnerabilities. It complements other cybersecurity measures like firewalls, antivirus software and intrusion detection systems. Regular pen testing is crucial for organizations that handle sensitive data like financial information, healthcare records and personal information. Most experts recommend performing penetration testing at least annually. More frequent testing every 6 or 3 months is ideal for organizations handling highly sensitive data.
The frequency should also be determined by factors like:. Annual testing of public facing systems and new applications before launch is a good starting point. Internal systems that store sensitive data should be tested more often. There are several types of penetration testing, categorized by the information provided to testers:.
The cost of pen testing services varies based on the size of the organization, scope of the tests and geography. Experience: The company should have seasoned professionals, not just basic automated scanners.
Look for experience in your specific industry. Secureworks is a leading global cybersecurity company that protects organizations with offensive and defensive security solutions. They are part of the Dell Technologies portfolio. With over 20 years of experience, Secureworks is regarded as one of the top penetration testing companies globally.
