Penetration tests are necessary for companies to comply with various industry frameworks including Safeguards, PCI, SOC and others because they help identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the company’s cybersecurity infrastructure. Most frameworks require companies to implement robust security measures to protect consumer data. Regular penetration testing simulates real-world cyber-attacks to uncover potential security flaws, enabling companies to address issues proactively before they can be exploited by malicious actors.

By conducting penetration tests, companies can identify security gaps in systems, networks, and applications that may put sensitive data at risk.

Are all penetration tests the same?

The primary difference between an internal and an external penetration test lies in the perspective from which the test is conducted and the scope of the security assessment.

  • External Penetration Test:
    Simulates an attack from outside the organization, mimicking the perspective of an external hacker or cybercriminal who is attempting to breach the network from the internet or external systems.
  • Internal Penetration Test:
    Simulates an attack from within the organization’s network, which could be carried out by an insider (such as an employee, contractor, or someone with access to the internal network).

How long do I have to mitigate risks?

The timeline for mitigating issues found during a penetration test should follow the industry’s best practices. Companies are required to take reasonable and prompt action to address vulnerabilities identified in a penetration test or risk assessment.

Key Factors Affecting the Timeline for Mitigation:

Severity of the Issues:

Critical vulnerabilities

(e.g., remote code execution, unpatched systems with known exploits) should be addressed immediately, often within 24 to 72 hours.

High-risk issues

(e.g., weak password policies, misconfigurations) should be prioritized and mitigated in a shorter timeframe, typically within weeks.

Medium or low-risk issues

may be addressed within a longer timeframe, but these should still be resolved as part of the company’s overall security plan, often within 1 to 3 months.

Best Practice:
A good practice is to address high-risk vulnerabilities within 30 days of identifying them, and to develop a remediation plan for lower-risk vulnerabilities with realistic timelines based on their potential impact. Some security frameworks (e.g., NIST or CIS) may have more detailed recommendations about remediation deadlines, and adopting such frameworks can help ensure that remediation efforts are aligned with industry’s best practices.

What is the difference between a penetration test and vulnerability scan?

Penetration tests and vulnerability scans are both important tools used in cybersecurity to assess the security of systems, but they have key differences in their purpose, approach, and outcomes. Here’s a breakdown of the two:

Penetration Test (Pen Test):

The primary goal of a penetration test is to simulate a real-world attack on a system, network, or application to exploit its vulnerabilities and see how far an attacker could go. The test is designed to mimic the actions of a hacker to find and exploit weaknesses in a system.

Penetration tests are more targeted and proactive. The tester doesn’t just identify vulnerabilities; they attempt to actively exploit them to determine the level of access that can be gained. Penetration testers may attempt to bypass security measures, escalate privileges, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.

The result of a penetration test is a detailed report that includes:

  • Exploited vulnerabilities (if any)

  • Security weaknesses that allowed an attacker to gain access

  • Impact of the attack on the organization (e.g., data breaches, system compromise)

  • Recommendations for remediation and strengthening defenses

Test Duration: Penetration tests typically take more time, as the tester is actively trying to break into systems and applications.

Vulnerability Scan (Vulnerability Assessment):

A vulnerability scan focuses on identifying known vulnerabilities in a system, network, or application by scanning for weaknesses. The goal is to produce a comprehensive list of vulnerabilities that could be present in the system, regardless of whether they are exploitable or not.

Vulnerability scans are typically automated and use scanning tools to check for weaknesses in the system, such as outdated software, misconfigurations, open ports, or insecure settings. Unlike penetration testing, vulnerability scans do not attempt to exploit the identified vulnerabilities; they only detect their existence.

The result of a vulnerability scan is a report that includes:

  • A list of detected vulnerabilities
  • The severity of each vulnerability (e.g., critical, high, medium, low)
  • Recommendations for patching or mitigating each vulnerability

Vulnerability assessments are typically quicker than penetration tests since they involve automated tools scanning the system.

It is not typically considered best practice to have your current network and hardware management company conduct your penetration testing, and here’s why:

  1. Potential Conflict of Interest:

  • Objectivity: Your network and hardware management company are already responsible for maintaining your systems and infrastructure. If they also conduct the penetration test, there could be a conflict of interest. They may be less likely to identify or report vulnerabilities that stem from their own configurations or practices, potentially leading to a lack of objectivity in the test results.
  • Unbiased Assessment: An external, independent third-party penetration testing provider is more likely to provide a neutral, unbiased assessment of your security posture. This ensures that vulnerabilities are identified and reported without any concern about the provider’s ongoing relationship with the company.

  1. Independence and Credibility:

  • Third-Party Validation: Engaging an independent, specialized penetration testing company provides external validation of your security program. This can enhance the credibility of your security posture and assure customers, regulators, and partners that you are taking necessary precautions to safeguard sensitive data.
  • Third-Party Reports: Having a separate company conduct the penetration test ensures that the findings and recommendations come from an independent source, which may carry more weight during internal reviews, compliance assessments, or regulatory audits.

  1. Broader Perspective:

  • Fresh Viewpoint: External penetration testers bring a fresh perspective to your security posture. They may identify risks or attack vectors that your internal team, familiar with your infrastructure, might overlook. The external team is also more likely to be up to date on the latest attack techniques and vulnerabilities, making their findings more comprehensive.

Applied Innovation Cyber Services
Snapshot-in-time Assessments:

Network penetration testing – internal or external

A simulation of a real-world attack to provide a snapshot-in-time assesment of vulnerabilities and threats to your network infrastructure.

Web application penetration testing services

Utilizing the (OSSTMM) Open Source Security Testing Methodology and the (PTES) Penetration Testing Execution Standards Applied Innovation’s Web application testing leverages the (OWASP) Open Web Application Security Project framework for assessing the security of web-based applications.

Vulnerability assessments

A systematic review of an organization’s security weaknesses to identify, classify, and prioritize vulnerabilities within their network infrastructure.  A vulnerability assessment can be conducted monthly, quarterly or annually.