Penetration testing (pentesting) is one of the most effective ways to assess the defenses of a company’s entire digital system or its individual layers. However, this multi-pronged subject raises many questions among customers. Let’s figure out who needs this kind of service, how to choose the right provider, and what results to expect from a simulated cyber incursion.

The need for analyzing the security of enterprise systems co-occurred with the emergence of the “perimeter” concept. A penetration test is one of the fundamental tools in this area. However, the use of this mechanism is often hampered by inconsistencies in the terminology, crude understanding of a pentesting team’s working practices, and skewed expectations of the customers.

What makes a pentest stand out from the crowd?

Those who aren’t very knowledgeable about cybersecurity may find it hard to distinguish a pentest from related terms such as vulnerability testing, red teaming, bug bounty programs, as well as breach and attack simulation (BAS) services and products.

Essentially, a pentest boils down to mimicking an attacker’s actions. Its purpose is to find the shortest and most effective way to reach a target through the perimeter and different tiers of the internal infrastructure. In contrast to this, vulnerability testing is aimed at finding flaws in a system and understanding how to address them. Red teaming is performed covertly, which is exactly how things go during a real-world attack. There is no such restriction during a penetration test.

Bug bounty programs only reflect one facet of pentesting. They are usually limited to the external perimeter, mobile and web applications, and some conditions that may not match a real intruder’s behavior model. In addition, the goal of a bug bounty hunter is to find a vulnerability as quickly as possible and submit a report to get a reward rather than to investigate the problem in depth.

In general, experts highlight two key differences between pentesting and related security activities. Firstly, the testing is done by humans. Secondly, it should include some assessment of the discovered security imperfections, considering how critical the vulnerable infrastructure component is.

At this point, most businesses apply for security experts’ assistance only after receiving respective notices from regulatory bodies. Few organizations purchase pentesting services to probe their perimeter and security facilities as part of proactive defense. This market is very diverse – customers’ requests can range from testing the protection of a fuel sensor to assessing the security of a web application.

How to choose pentesters worth their salt?

Let’s try to figure out what factors to consider when turning to specialized companies, how to find real professionals amid eye-catching marketing claims, and what pitfalls this process may entail. As a rule, the following criteria are the most important in this regard:

• Team
• Background and expertise
• Reputation and established procedures
• Awards and certifications

However, some of these factors are difficult to formalize, and they do not always give you the big picture. Potential customers should first inquire about the personalities of specific security analysis performers, read their resumes, and draw a conclusion about the qualifications of the contractor based on this information.

Penetration testing: how long does it take and how often to do it?

The duration of a pentest usually ranges from three weeks to a month, depending on the specific task and the size of the target network. Even if the attack surface is relatively small, it may be necessary to spend extra time for in-depth analysis of potential entry points.

In many cases, the process of making a contract between a customer and a security services provider is more time-consuming than the pentest itself. Various approvals can last from two to four months. The larger the client company, the more bureaucratic hurdles need to be addressed. When working with startups, the project approval stage is much shorter.

Ideally, pentests should be conducted whenever the target application undergoes updates. When it comes to a broad assessment of a company’s security posture, continuous pentesting is inefficient – it suffices to perform such analysis two or three times a year.

What details does a pentest report include?

The results of penetration testing should span not only the list of vulnerabilities or misconfigurations found in the customer’s security system but also recommendations on how to fix them. These tend to be general tips since a detailed roadmap for fixing the problems requires a deeper dive into the customer’s business model and internal procedures.

The report mostly includes an executive summary, a list of the discovered vulnerabilities, recommendations, and a comprehensive description of the testing process.

Who should perform a pentest?

Can an organization conduct penetration tests on its own or rely on the services of a specialized organization? Let’s try to dot the i’s and cross the t’s in this regard.

The key problem with pentests performed internally by a company’s security employees is that their view of the supervised infrastructure might be sort of “blurred”. This is a side effect of being engaged in the same routine tasks for a long time. To avoid this issue, it is recommended to involve external pentesters once in a while. In addition to ensuring an unbiased analysis, this will enrich your team’s set of security tools and techniques.

The so-called talent gap is another shortcoming of this approach. Some organizations lack qualified specialists capable of doing penetration tests efficiently. With that said, it could be a good idea to regularly refresh the team of testers working on the same project.

Summary

Pentesting is a universal security analysis tool. It can be used to probe the defenses of a company’s entire security infrastructure and search for vulnerabilities in its components or even specific software.

Penetration testing differs from red teaming, vulnerability scanning, and breach and attack simulation in terms of its methods. Not only does it unveil security flaws, but it also shines the light on the ways to address them. Besides trying to spot  security issues, a pentester tries to follow the path of a potential attacker – from the perimeter entry point to a specific area of the target network. 

Even if an organization sticks with in-house pentesting practice, hiring contractors with a decent track record can help it harden its security system. The frequency of the testing usually depends on a specific company’s peculiarities, and the duration of the whole process along with the approval stage can range from one to six months.

 Web App security testing

  Web application security is an essential component of any web-based business organization. The internet’s nature globally tends to expose web properties to malicious attacks from various locations and varying scale and complexity levels.  Web application security deals with multiple security concerns surrounding websites, web applications, and other services like APIs. The primary purpose of web application security testing is to ascertain vulnerabilities and threats of a web application to help developers eliminate such vulnerabilities from the application, making sure that website and data are safe from any malicious attacks or actions.

  Web application security testing is essential because it helps protect websites and online services from various security threats that are likely to exploit different application code vulnerabilities. Web application security threats include; content management systems (Word press), SaaS applications, and database administration tools.

Figure 1: Web application security testing

Common types of Web app security vulnerabilities

 There exist a wide range of Web app security vulnerabilities, including:

•  Cross-site scripting (XSS): This is a security threat that allows an attacker to inject scripts on the client’s website page to gather crucial information directly by impersonating the user or tricking the user reveal sensitive data.
• SQL Injection: This is a technique that allows an attacker to exploit various exposures in a manner in which the database executes different search questions. The attackers usually use SQL injection to gain unauthorized access to information by creating or modifying new user permissions or even manipulating sensitive information.
•  Denial –of service (Dos); the attacker gains access to information without permission by overloading the targeted web server or surrounding its infrastructure with various traffic attacks.
• Corruption of Memory: This often happens when a memory is altered unintentionally, leading to unexpected software behavior. Cyber attackers are likely to sniff out and corrupt memories by injecting codes and other buffer overflow attacks.
• Buffer overflow: This is abnormal behavior that occurs when malicious code is injected into the computer system’s memory or creates vulnerability or threat in the targeted device.
• Data breach: this usually occurs due to malicious actions that compromise computer systems, thus altering confidential or sensitive data.

Types of Web application security testing

 Every person must understand the common types of security testing. The main ones include;

 Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): This technique looks for various vulnerabilities in the website application that an attacker is likely to exploit. This testing technique establishes which vulnerabilities an attacker is expected to target and how they can break into a computer system from outside.

 Static Application Security Testing: This is an inside-out approach that mainly looks at web app source code vulnerabilities. SAST method provides an accurate time of Web apps security.

 Application Penetration Testing: This is an App penetration testing technique that entails the human element. Security personnel will impersonate how an attacker is likely to break into a Web app using individual security to understand how attackers can penetrate the system and exploit valuable information. If you do not have web application testing services, you can source them from a third party.

Tips for Web Application Security Testing

1. If your system is critical to your business organization, you need to test it frequently. If your computer system stores customer information like credit card numbers, Personally Identifiable Information, or any other sensitive data, it is essential to test it frequently for any vulnerabilities. Also, you are required to comply with various regulations and policies.
2. Test the software design earlier to minimize vulnerabilities that may compromise computer systems, thus altering data.
3. Also, it would help if you put in place security development teams to track any vulnerabilities that are likely to occur. It is essential to prioritize security threats and integrate them with bug tracking systems to ensure that computer systems are protected.

 It is crucial to test web application security for business organizations frequently to reduce the risk of vulnerabilities and keep their systems well protected from attackers.

Mobile Application Penetration testing

 Mobile security has become an issue of great concern in recent years. Mobile application testing is a must, given the rapid evolution of smartphones and smart devices that are very vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. As a result of rapid growth in the number of devices and applications, there has been tremendous growth in the number of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), financial information, and many more; this necessitates data protection.

 This why Mobile App penetration testing is very vital, especially to modern application developers.  As an app developer, it is essential to understand various ways of securing user data and finding out any vulnerabilities and gaps in the application that may result in security data breaches.

 Mobile app penetration testing is essential in dealing with various security issues on a network infrastructure that might compromise crucial data. Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets are extensively for individual and business purposes. In most cases, these devices carry essential sensitive information, and they are likely to become an easy target for malicious attackers.

     Mobile devices such as smartphones have become an essential part of our life, and various applications installed on them form a dominant part of digital interaction. Every one of us indeed uses four to Five Applications daily. Today, we can use our mobile applications to check almost everything right from bank accounts and the latest scores of various sports to shopping and even finding directions to multiple places. There is a mobile application virtually for everything. Today, mobile applications play a critical role in driving business activities for organizations.

Given the increased usage of mobile apps by organizations, it is imperative to secure and protect mobile apps to enhance business organizations’ efficiency and reputation. Besides, it is essential to ensure that user data, organization data, and intellectual property is protected and handled appropriately on all mobile applications. Therefore, mobile app security testing is crucial to help business organizations in combating various security threats.

  Figure 2:  Mobile Application Penetration testing process

 The mobile app penetration testing process involves the use of the mobile device. Emulators for the mobile app client systems such as Google Android Emulator and MobiOne will be used. After decompiling the application systems, you must use a code analysis tool to identify various source code vulnerabilities.

Application pen testing

 The application Pen testing is a simulated cybersecurity attack against your computer system to look for any exploitable vulnerabilities or threats. In the context of Web app security, Pen testing is used in augmenting the Web application Firewall.  The app pen testing helps ascertain various vulnerabilities and security threats and thus aiding software developers in eliminating such vulnerabilities from the application, thus making sure that website and data are safe from any malicious attacks or actions.

 Figure 3: Penetration testing stages

     The new application penetration testing spans from the conventional Web and Mobile App Pen testing to the emerging IoT and the blockchain Pen testing. The application Pen testing is an ethical hacking that emerged from the late nineteenth century. It is mainly aimed at detecting various security vulnerabilities and verifying and promoting multiple computer systems’ integrity. Today, App penetration testing is often included using numerous standards and models, ranging from the Open Source and the organizations-specific testing methods such as PCI-DSS pen-testing procedures.

Stages of App Pen testing

 The following are the steps that one should follow in executing the Application Penetration testing:

 Planning and Modeling security threats: This stage is vital because it promotes value creation through a penetration test. The risk-based and threat-aware testing cases of business organizations are critical in designing and bringing about actionable reports to meet various business needs.

 Gathering information and Reconnaissance: once an attack case is prepared, penetration testers are expected to launch their different automated tools and utilities to obtain a lot of information regarding the target as outlined within the scope. 

 Automated Vulnerability Scanning and Testing: This step involves scanning the target systems and application to identify and detect any security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.

 Manual exploitation and Exploit development: once security vulnerabilities, penetration testers must expand the testing scope either vertically or horizontally and pursue the exploitation of findings.

 Remediation of preparation guidelines: This step involves preparing a penetration test report and make sure that it is readable. The software developers are required to provide clients with clear instructions on vulnerability remediation.

Verification of remediation: this is the last stage of application Pen testing that ensures that the recommendations are implemented successfully as documented to ensure compliance.

Today, security breaches continue to dominate media headlines. This trend increasingly continues to put business organizations at a greater risk. This is due to the increasing amount and complexity while hackers are maliciously creating new and more complicated forms of attacks daily. Having anti-virus and firewall software and assuming that your business is secure is not sufficient. New companies necessitate an advanced approach to enhance security and its due diligence.  

To ensure that your business organizations are secure, you need to test your organization systems to ensure that they are resistant to cybersecurity threats and establish effective defense mechanisms and strategies. To determine whether a malicious attacker can gain access to the business assets, you need to put effective penetration testing services. Penetration testing is essential in ensuring that your organizational assets are healthy and secure.  Penetration testing is commonly referred to as ethical hacking or pen-testing. It involves the overall process of carrying out an authorized attack on the computer system to determine various security weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

1. White box penetration testing

The white box penetration test goes by multiple different names, such as the clear box, open-box, or even logic-driven testing. The white box is a type of penetration testing that helps assess the system’s internal application working structure to determine cybersecurity loopholes’ potential. The concept of a white box is used because there is a greater probability of seeing through the box’s outer cover into its inner structure. It is also called glass, transparent, or even clear box pen-testing. 

 In this testing technique, the ethical hacker usually has full access to the internal application configurations such as the source code, IP addresses, diagrams, and network protocols. The white box pen testing aims to stimulate malicious intruders familiar with the targeted internal structure systems. The white box penetration testing helps provide complete access to both internal and external vulnerabilities, making it easier to choose the most appropriate calculation testing.

 Figure1: White box penetration testing

How white box penetration testing tool is performed.

If you want to perform white box testing, you must follow three necessary steps: preparing the testing process, creating and executing tests, and creating the final report.

Stage 1: Preparation.

This is usually the first step in the white box penetration testing method. This step requires you to learn and understand the working and functionalities internal structure of the target application systems to find out any security loopholes in the targeted software systems. This phase will enable you to familiarize yourself with source code applications like the programming language used in creating it and tools used in deploying it.

Stage 2: creating and executing tests

After understanding how various applications within the organization function, you, as the pen tester, have to create and execute white-box tests. In this phase, you are supposed to carry out various test cases that are capable of assessing the source code of the software to determine the existence of any malicious attacks. The intelligent tester can write scripts for testing the application manually and using appropriate testing tools to perform automated tests.

Stage 3: Creating a final report

This is the last phase of the penetrating test.  At this stage, you must create a report that analyzes results obtained in the overall penetrating testing process. The report is supposed to be prepared in a manner that is easy to understand, provides adequate details on the testing activity, and summarizes the testing tasks’ findings. The final report is essential because it helps analyze and improve the testing process’s efficiency and provides a document for referring in the future.

Types of white box Penetration testing

Various types of white-box penetration testing are used in assessing the internal application systems to determine loopholes for any security threats and vulnerabilities. The main ones include;

1. Unit testing: This involves testing individual units and components of a particular application source code. It is aimed at validating whether each component or application functions as desired.
2. Integration testing: This entails grouping or combining various individual units or components in the application source code and then testing them as a group. This helps expose any errors in the interaction process of different interfaces immediately after testing individual units.
3. Regression testing involves performing further tests to verify any recent changes in the application’s source code.

 The White box penetration testing technique (100-k)

     Code coverage is the primary technique used in carrying out white box penetration testing. It helps in computing the number of code lines that have been validated successfully in a particular test scenario. The formula for determining code coverage in white box penetration testing is as follows;

 Code coverage= (number lines of executed code/ total number lines of code) * 100

Some of the commonly used open-source white box penetrating testing tools include: 

1. JUnit is a penetrating testing tool that uses Java programming language.
2. HtmLUnit: it is a Java-based headless browser that enables penetration testers to make HTTP calls.
3. PyUnit: This is a unit testing tool that makes use of the python programming language.
4. Selenium: This is a penetration testing tool widely used in verifying web application process across multiple platforms and browsers. Besides, it provides support to several programming languages such as Python, C#, and JavaScript.

The advantages of White Box Penetration Testing

 The advantages of carrying out code-based white Box Pen testing include;

• It helps in the identification of several hidden security threats.

• Automating test cases is more uncomplicated. This dramatically reduces the time and costs of running repetitive tests.
• Since white box testers are acquainted with the internal workings, the communication overhead between them and developers is reduced.
• It offers the ability to identify security threats from the developer’s point of view.

Disadvantages of White Box Pen Testing

Disadvantages of performing code-based penetration testing include the following:

•  The white-box penetration testing is time-consuming and demanding since it is a rigorous approach.
• The tests are carried out from the perspective of the users.
•  The white Box Pen testing may not denote a realistic potential of a non-malicious hacker.

2.  Web Penetration testing

      Web penetration testing is a technique that is commonly used in security from web applications. The web application penetration testing is performed by carrying simulation on unauthorized attacks internally and externally to access sensitive information. Web penetration testing is essential and helps determine the possibility of a hacker gaining access to sensitive information from the internet. It also helps one to understand ways of securing web hosting sites and servers from attackers. Web penetration testing involves breaching various application systems like the protocol interfaces (APIs and fronted serves) to find hidden vulnerabilities like inputs susceptible to code injection attacks.

Nowadays, if you look at the contemporary market demand, there has been a tremendous increase in mobile phone usage, which has become a significant potential for cybersecurity attacks. Accessing the website from mobile devices has made web applications more vulnerable to security attacks, thus, compromising essential data.

The advantages of Web App Penetration testing:

There are several benefits of Web App Penetration testing, such as;

• It helps in the identification of hidden vulnerabilities.
• It aids in checking and enhancing the effectiveness of the overall security policies.
• It helps test various components accessible to the members of like firewalls, routers, and DNS. 
• It helps in finding out any loopholes that can result in the loss of sensitive information.

Web penetration testing 

  If you want to perform web penetration testing, you are required to following steps;

1. Planning and reconnaissance:   this step involves defining the scope and goals and the testing techniques to be used. It also entails gathering due intelligence from the servers to understand how various targets work and the potential vulnerability to cybersecurity threats.
2. Scanning:  This phase will enable you to understand how the target application process is likely to respond to various intrusion attempts using static and dynamic analysis. 
3. Gaining Access:  This stage involves various Web application attacks like cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and backdoors to uncover any targeted vulnerabilities. The penetration testers usually exploit this vulnerability to steal sensitive data, intercept traffic and understand the damage they are likely to cause.
4. Maintaining access: This stage helps one see whether the exploited system can steal a company’s sensitive data.
5.  Analysis: after exploiting specific vulnerabilities and obtaining sensitive data, they try to determine the amount of time the penetration tester stayed in the system without being noticed.

Figure 2: Web penetration testing 

API Penetration testing

     The development of APIs has resulted in increased digital transformation, particularly within the cloud, IoT, mobile, and web applications.  Without you understanding it, an average person can engage with multiple APIs daily, mainly through mobile devices. There are several types of APIs for Penetration testing, and they include; validation testing, functional testing, load testing, security testing, Runtime / Error Detection, and Fuzz testing. 

Figure 3: Penetration Testing Tools

APIs can be defined as the connective tissue responsible for transmitting data between external and internal systems. If APIs are poorly secured, they become vulnerable to security threats and breaches. Providing security for API is vital, just as the applications for which it provides functions for.

 How to perform APIs Pen testing 

 When performing APIs penetration testing, you are testing APIs functions/methods, how they can be abused, and how authentication or authorization can be bypassed. Also, you are supposed to test it to determine if we can cause any form of command injection or XSS if we establish that the function’s response renders data on the page. Then, we are required to put API through various types of tests to determine whether there might be any security vulnerabilities existing.

     To carry out APIs penetration testing, you are required to mention various parameters in a particular test. Then, prioritize API function calls to simplify testing for testers so that they can determine the time taken for finishing. 

Steps of APIs testing;

There are three necessary steps of APIs testing including;

• Sending a request with required input data.
• Getting a response for the output data.
• Validating and verifying whether the response returned is as expected in the requirement.

Figure 4: The APIs security testing

AWS Penetration testing

The AWS penetration security is used for testing user-operated services, and it includes created cloud offerings that the user configures. For instance, if your business organization needs to test your AWS EC2 thoroughly, excluding various tactics related to business continuity disruption like launching DOS attacks. AWS clients can carry out penetration testing on specific serving by adhering to the established customer support policies on penetration testing.

How is AWS penetration testing carried out?

 If you want to carry out penetration testing, you must use AWS API and command-line interface tools to support the test’s automation. These tools usually enable developers to automatically create and configure test environments, connect various databases, and automatically integrate various methods to run the test automatically. The AWS follow several steps as outlined in the figure below;

 AWS Penetration testing steps include; reviewing the architecture of systems, scanning vulnerabilities, performing penetration tests, and finally carrying remediation and certification.

 Figure 5: AWS penetration testing

     The organizations need to run AWS Penetration testing because it enhances the security and compliance of various applications deployed on AWS. This helps in identifying various vulnerabilities and exposures to cybersecurity threats.

Pentest box online

     The pentest box is an open-source that is often preconfigured to a portable penetration testing environment for the windows operating system. The Pentest Box is not similar to any other Linux pretesting distribution that runs in a virtual machine or even on a dual boot environment.

 Figure 6: Pentestbox

     The pentest box essentially helps provide security tools just like software packages and allows you to run them through the windows natively. Besides, the pentest box helps eliminate virtual machines’ requirements or dual boot environments on the windows.

If you want to ensure safety for your computer systems, the Pentestbox offers the best solution. This is because it allows for quick deployment and testing on windows based environments.

Information Technology Security

The World has experienced massive technological revolutions in the recent past. With the technological revolution experienced recently, a group of individuals who are well known as hackers are responsible for the massive problems we are experiencing in our organizations and corporate networks. Hackers are responsible for the disruption of companies’ normal activities, which are today being reported by companies in the news every day. Hackers are smart individuals, making it vital to implement efficient IT security software to prevent dangers and threats. Our World is chaotic without effective IT securities technologies in place to provide directions and solutions.

IT Services

The increased computer systems threats in the 21^st era form a resulting significant need for IT services adoption. The IT services define strategies and approaches for firms’ policies, tools, and processes management to detect, document, prevent, and counter non-digital and digital threats. The 21^st-century threats landscape is actively dynamic. This is evident to all firms that are currently operating massive confidential data networks across the globe.   The IT services continue to revolutionize strategies to protect disruptive technologies. The IT services have proven to have significance in maintaining current security controls integrity and preventing enterprise data risk and intellectual property. IT services continue taking roles in delivering effective situational awareness and enterprise security risk management strategies. This happens through an effective follow-up process which is monitoring, analysis, and reporting.

IT Cyber Security

Cybersecurity has become common in our World today day to day running. This results from an increased breach of corporate computer systems to steal our important social security numbers. Also, our social media accounts have increased unscrupulous hacking where personal information and passwords have been grabbed. It is this that has resulted in increased concern in keeping information safe.  IT cybersecurity offers practices and technologies that are important in keeping electronic data and computer systems safe. Cyber Security is essential in providing strategies to defend electronic systems, networks, computers, data, mobile devices, and servers from malicious attacks. I can vividly say that computer systems defining firms’ networks heavily rely on cybersecurity today. 

Figure 1 Cybersecurity attack

IT Security Solutions

IT security solutions are important due to the specialized services, including forensic analysis, penetration tests, technical assessments, and solutions-based solutions. To provide solutions, systems, applications, wireless and internal networks are examined in an approach to identify potential vulnerabilities. 

IT solutions must define current security status and evaluation targets. It is through IT solutions that recommendations and suggestions in organizations help in mitigating and preventing cyber attacks. IT solutions continue helping to improve their security through the provision of security improvement alternatives.  It is through IT security solutions I think our World is safe. 

Figure 2 securing a corporate network

IT Security Services

IT security solutions are achieved from IT security services of IT security services are significant in helping offer cybersecurity solutions.  If it were not for international IT security providers’ IT security solutions, our World would be completely corrupted. The common IT security services offer complete cybersecurity solutions ranging from security issues analysis to information security management systems development. 

Others include proficient cybersecurity monitoring and implementation of real-time security intelligence. If it were not for the IT security services providing significant protection to sensitive data and optimization of risk management programs, our important data could be floating anyhow all over.   

IT Security Companies

IT security services are achieved as a result of IT security companies’ operations. To be specific, IT security companies are one of the most critical companies in our today. Cybersecurity has no real roots in our society today. IT security companies have it easy for our existence. This is not the case where IT Security companies may opt not to provide best practices that focus on business cybersecurity. 

IT Security companies’ services enable the effective protection of your infrastructure, products, applications against disasters, data leaks, and cyber threats.  Business intelligence, all confidential shared data, and other assets important to us are managed securely without risks. This helps reducing possible damages that could be experienced by compliance and privacy full control provision.

IT Security Consulting

The IT security companies are responsible for providing significant consultation services about security. Through their consultation services, optimization of risk management programs and protection of sensitive data is achieved. 

Companies such as Infopulse (Information Security Services), an international IT security service provider, provide significant cybersecurity consultation services. It, however, good to note that best practices cybersecurity services when effective consultation services are provided. After all, everyone requires consultation for better decisions making in life; this is not different for firms. They need to invest in IT security consulting services if they truly want secure data management and avoid dire consequences from cybersecurity threats.

IT Network Security

Companies’ networks are among the most important parts defining an effective security approach.  Preventing intrusion into the corporate networks defines the IT network security strategies for a robust corporate network. In defining network security devices’, interactions over the network must be defined in addition to the connective tissue between them. In an organization defining software and physical preventative measures forms the foundations for defining underlying network infrastructure. This outlines possible malfunctions, destructions, malfunctions misuse, unauthorized access, which helps to define secure computing platforms. Besides programs and users, critical functions accepted and permitted in a network define a secure corporate environment. Network security is important than most of us outside here think. 

Our data that we treat with a lot of confidentiality would not be here nor there if it were not for IT network security over the corporate networks. As I discussed above, cyber-attacks are not scenarios or experiences to joke with. Most of us who may not have IT/ Computer knowledge are aware of antiviruses as the only network security devices; there is more than that in securing a computer network. The devices that can be effectively used to secure a network include firewalls, antiviruses, content filtering, and intrusion detection systems.

IT Security Monitoring

Monitoring is an important concern in IT security. Without it, everything will run anyhow with no specific directions and guidelines defining their existence. Like monitoring a machine state or any other device in life, IT security monitoring is important and an exercise that cannot be avoided. Considering the importance of computer networks for communication and transactions within businesses, government and individual monitoring are vital. The field of Information Technology is what it is relevant due to security monitoring. It is good noting that IT security monitoring was not easy in the last past decades’ thanks to the new technologies that have revolutionized everything to enable constant assessment of networks.

Figure 3 Threats that need to manage

IT Security

What I have discussed from the beginning of this article defines everything that rotates around IT security. Those strategies help prevent unauthorized access to corporate assets; the networks, data, and computers define IT security. IT security will not be effective without approaches to maintain confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information. This also includes unauthorized access from unknown persons who in this case, we call them hackers.  IT security prevents hardware and electronic data from damaging and stealing.

Security Policy

To have effective IT security in a corporate environment, a security policy must thrive in such an environment. Any organization out here must have a well-customized document outlining approaches to protect itself from threats and processes to follow upon their occurrences. All companies’ assets need to be covered in the security policy in an updated profile for everyone in the organization.

Security Solutions

Security solutions are inevitable in the modern society that we are living in today. Security nightmares can cost our institutions and corporates severely. Security solutions are there to bail us off through the mitigation process. Not just any security solutions can serve us effectively but also what we regard as integrated technology-based security solutions.

Security Threats

It will not be in order not to specify security threats after discussing all that about IT security. All that that poses potential risks of harming and developing system vulnerabilities define security threats. Security threats are masters of manipulation and disguise, which call for vital resources and information to help find safety in their existence. Examples of common security threats include spyware threats, computer viruses, phishing, and the commonly known hackers. 

Every possible and necessary approach, resource, and technical advancement must be adopted to combat the revolutionized cyber attack and IT security threats across our networks. The globe will be a great place living with complex and rewarding IT security solutions, services, and approaches.

Figure 4 Types of Cyber Security Threats   

     Comprehending your cybersecurity threat landscape for your organization is vital to ensure that your systems and networks remain digitally safe. It is essential to understand your vulnerabilities to make appropriate decisions. However, this has been quite challenging due to the increasing number of databases in the contemporary environment.  

Cyber Security penetration testing safety is imperative because it helps you safeguard your data proactively by assessing all your safety protocols.  Besides, it enables you to analyze, test, and build a robust cyber defense- regardless of how huge your data stores. This article will give you a comprehensive overview of what is cybersecurity testing safety.

Cybersecurity penetration testing safety

     Cybersecurity penetration testing involves the overall process of testing networks, computer systems for any vulnerabilities or weaknesses. It is also commonly referred to as ethical hacking, and it entails trying to hack systems in an attempt to identify any vulnerable spots which real attackers could exploit. The person performing penetration testing on cybersecurity safety in your organization is expected to select a target, obtain crucial information, find out for any security gaps and then come up with a detailed report on the findings.  

You can carry out the penetration testing process manually or automatically through the use of various software applications. Penetration testing is mainly a controlled form of hacking in which attackers act on your behalf to find out and test multiple vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. The tester’s report on penetration testing is essential for your organization because it informs you of your cyber controls’ appropriate choice.

     Some of the common vulnerabilities that cyber attackers or hackers could exploit usually come from; inappropriate configuration, use of unknown hardware and software flaws, or even weaknesses in the operational processes or technical countermeasures. 

 Figure1: Penetration testing

The main key steps in penetration testing

1.  Planning or reconnaissance; this is the first phase of pen testing, which involves defining various test parameters, and it entails researching the target. 
2. Scanning: this is the second stage of penetration testing, and it involves scanning the code or platform to find out how it will respond to a particular attack.
3. Analysis of Vulnerability: This is the third step of penetration testing, and it involves uncovering various vulnerabilities and then target them for hacking.
4. Exploitation:  This step involves carrying out a special attack and then testing the extent of vulnerabilities.
5. Analysis: This is the last step of penetration testing which entails coming up with a complete result on the findings’ results and creating a plan to remedy these vulnerabilities.

Figure 2: steps of cybersecurity penetration safety

Importance of cybersecurity penetration testing safety for your organization

Performing penetration testing safety assessment for your company is imperative because it helps identify various vulnerabilities that are likely to cause harm to your computer systems and networks, resulting in the loss of sensitive and confidential information. Therefore, penetration testing is essential for the security of your organization.

 Figure 3: Importance of penetration testing

     Carrying out vulnerability test automatically is essential because it provides you with valuable information regarding your cybersecurity status and in understanding various security issues that you are likely to encounter. Almost every week, new cybersecurity threats are identified and exploited by cybercriminals.

 Cybersecurity penetration testing safety is vital for your organization because;

• It helps you identify various security threats to address them and implement appropriate security control mechanisms.
• It helps you in making sure that the existing security controls in your organization are effective.
• It helps in testing new software, application, and systems for any bugs.
• It helps in supporting your company in complying with the relevant privacy laws, regulations and policies. Penetration testing will help you in complying with the set organization standards and security regulations.
• It guarantees customers and other essential stakeholders that their information is secure and is protected. By reducing attacks, you will be able to protect your business and consumers as well.
• It helps in measuring risks and vulnerabilities that are likely to pose a major threat to an organization.
• Penetration testing helps you become proactive rather than reactive because it enables you to identify various vulnerabilities and fix them before the attack happens.
•  The report finding of penetration testing can help you to develop an effective cybersecurity strategy.
• Pen testing provides you with real-world insights as you can know what your vulnerabilities are and see gaps in how attackers are likely to hack your systems.

Figure 4: Benefits of cybersecurity penetration testing

Cybersecurity Firms

Organizations see data as one of their most valued assets whose loss is likely to lead to customer dissatisfaction. Cyber resilience has become the new paradigm for cybersecurity organizations. Today business organizations collect information and data almost in every element of their business, and as a result, resilience has exponentially grown.

 Cybersecurity is one of the top priorities for every business organization, and many of the firms are scrambling very hard to get defensive measures in place. As the vulnerabilities and cybersecurity threats become more sophisticated and pervasive, cybersecurity organizations are recommending new strategies and measures to counteract these attacks.

 Figure 5: penetration testing companies

Cybersecurity helps business organizations prevent attacks by safeguarding networks, applications, soft wares, and hardware on their behalf. However, attackers have increasingly established new ingenious ways of counteracting defense mechanisms. This has made cybersecurity firms accept the fact that stopping cybersecurity threats entirely is challenging. Cybersecurity firms help develop security solutions that help minimize the effects and disruption of the hacking process. 

 Most of the cybersecurity threats today come from email, and therefore, cybersecurity organizations emphasize developing cybersecurity resilience strategies, especially for email, data backup, and recovery.  A strong cybersecurity resilience helps business organizations continue with their operations without any disruption during a particular attack. Data security firms help business organizations ensure that their data is safe and protected from any form of corruption or disorder by attackers or third parties.

 Cybersecurity firms help assess your sites for any vulnerabilities and provide effective guidance strategies—cybersecurity penetration testing firms in creating effective cybersecurity threats you can trust. Cybersecurity firms help business organizations implementing various resilience strategies to help them make sure that their data is safe.

 Here are some of the most innovative and top firms that offer cybersecurity services;

Mimecast

This is one of the leading cybersecurity firms that helps business organizations in keeping their emails safe. The organization uses cloud-based services in promoting cyber resilience to protect their email risk management.

     The Mimecast cybersecurity firm helps in providing Email security for organizations. The firm assists in providing automated threat detection services to prevent advanced cybersecurity threats like ransomware, phishing and fraudulent activities that may result from impersonification. Mimecast cybersecurity firm has a detection engine that helps stop spam, viruses, and malware, thus preventing data leakages.

The cybersecurity firm tends to provide a multipurpose archive for emails, files, IM conversations in its cloud services. This helps ensure that data is always safe, secure, accessible, available, and protected from any malicious activity that may compromise it.

 Sophos 

     This is a cyber-security that provides security software and hardware services. The company helps business organizations by protecting their information from any malicious activity or attack that may compromise the company’s data.

 Kaspersky

     This is a multinational cybersecurity firm whose headquarters are located in Moscow in Russia. A holding organization operates the company in the UK. This organization helps develop and sell antivirus, internet services, and other cybersecurity products and services.

 Figure 6: Penetration testing

Advantages of cybersecurity Firms

• Cybersecurity firms such as Mimecast are fully integrated with SaaS-based solutions that help reduce cybersecurity threats such as the complexities involved in the management of Emails.
•  Besides, cybersecurity firms help in guaranteeing business organizations continuity. The firm assists in providing automated threat detection services to prevent advanced cybersecurity threats like ransomware, phishing and fraudulent activities that may result from impersonification.
•  Cybersecurity firms also offer many training programs and tools that help create awareness of cybersecurity, particularly among the users. For instance, cybersecurity firms generate awareness among the End-users on the possibility of cyber threats that are likely to compromise their information. Cybersecurity firms help you in assessing your sites for any vulnerabilities and provide effective guidance strategies—cybersecurity penetration testing firms in creating effective cybersecurity threats you can trust. This in building trust among your customers and stakeholders because they are assured that their information is secure.

 What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the process of protecting your computer systems, electronic systems, website applications, mobile devices, networks, servers, and data from any malicious attacks. It is also popularly known as information technology or electronic information security.  Cyber-attacks mainly aim to access, alter, steal sensitive data, extort money from the users, and disrupt normal business operations. Putting effective cybersecurity counteractive measures in today’s business environment is difficult because there are several devices than individuals, and the attackers are becoming more innovative and creative.

 Figure 1: Cybersecurity

Today’s world is more interconnected, and almost every individual benefits significantly from the advanced cybersecurity defensive mechanisms and programs. Cybersecurity attacks can lead to stealing personal identity, extortion attempts, and loss of crucial information such as family photos from an individual level. Every individual depends on critical infrastructures like manufacturing plants, healthcare organizations, and financial service firms. Securing these and other critical firms is important to keep our society running smoothly. Cybersecurity researchers help us understand new vulnerabilities, create awareness of the importance of cybersecurity, and strengthen source tools.   Indeed, cybersecurity researchers and teams’ work helps make the internet safer for every one of us.  This article will inform us on cybersecurity testing certification, degrees, and news.

 Figure2: Cybersecurity threats

Cybersecurity degree

 In recent years, cybersecurity has become an essential component for all organizations. There has been a growing need for individuals to acquire knowledge, skills, and expertise in several aspects of cybersecurity like the Blockchain, Big Data, and IoT to help in mitigating these risks.  To achieve these crucial skills and knowledge, you are expected to pursue a degree course or career in cybersecurity.

 Figure3: Cybersecurity degrees

By pursuing a degree course on cybersecurity, you will be able to gain knowledge and skills in the following areas;

•   You will gain knowledge and acquire skills to assess various cybersecurity risks and develop effective policies and protocols.
•  You will learn how to anticipate various information security risks and understand how to effectively defend your company’s systems, networks, and servers.
• You will be able to understand effective ways of handling computer communication across several operating systems.
• You will learn how to respond to various security alerts and how to fix multiple flaws in computer systems and networks.
• You will learn how to prevent various types of cyber-attacks.

 The cybersecurity degrees mainly focus on protecting computers, networks, servers, web applications, electronic devices, and data from any form of malicious attacks. The number of devices connected to the internet in today’s world has increased tremendously. As a result, cybercriminals have learned new ways of attacking computer systems, and this presents one of the largest challenges for cybersecurity experts. 

Some of the essential topics that you are expected to learn when studying your degree course in cybersecurity include; fundamentals of security design principles, components of IT systems, script programming, cybersecurity threats, forensic accounting, legal and ethical issues.

 The degree course on cybersecurity equips IT experts and professionals with adequate knowledge on protecting sensitive information for organizations in several fields such as banking institutions, healthcare organizations, the education sector, retail businesses, social media, etc. Besides, by pursuing this degree course, you will learn different ways to maintain, evaluate, and enhance the security infrastructure. As a cyber-security professional, you will gain knowledge on installing firewalls, monitoring various network activities, backing up data, and developing and implementing different cybersecurity policies and procedures. Besides, as a trained security expert, you will be in a position to fix web security breaches as soon as they occur and come up with effective strategies on how to combat future attacks.

 Some of the skills you will learn upon completion of a cybersecurity degree will include problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, communication, time management, and paying attention to details. After completing a degree course on cybersecurity, learners can secure a job as a forensic expert, penetration testers, security administrators, ethical hackers.

Cybersecurity news

 The cybersecurity news provides us with updates, trends, and tips on why business organizations need to utilize the most effective strategies and practices to avoid common cybersecurity threats.

 Figure 4: Cybersecurity news

The cybersecurity news also informs us on computer security and internet issues that may result in data breaches. The cybersecurity news tells us of the latest information on hacking, cyber-attacks, data breaches, and vulnerabilities.  This news also updates us on the best effective approaches that companies can undertake to prevent cybersecurity threats that may compromise their business activities. 

The main cybersecurity threats that we learn from this news revolve around social engineering techniques, 90 % of which come from phishing and Ransomware cybersecurity vulnerability. This data-encrypted program usually demands a certain amount of payment to release the infected data. The news on cybersecurity threats also revolves around DDoS attacks, third-party software, and cloud computing vulnerabilities.

In today’s world, data breaches and theft occur daily, and therefore, securing data storage is a critical and key component of the cybersecurity infrastructure. The cybersecurity news and updates provide us with advice on preventing various vulnerabilities and data breaches using the most effective defense mechanisms and protections. 

 Cybersecurity is an important practice aimed at protecting networks, programs, and information from unauthorized access, use, change, or use. News on cybersecurity helps us to learn and keep updated on various types of vulnerabilities and cyber-attacks. Besides, this news informs us of the best software products we can use to ensure that our computer systems, data, network, and servers are protected from any malicious attack. The news on cybersecurity help us to learn the most effective ways of integrating new technologies into the organization’s infrastructure to reduce cyber risks. The news on cybersecurity helps us obtain more information on cyber risk and enhance our career prospects by learning various ways to test web applications.

  Cybersecurity training testing

 Since most security threats and data breaches occur due to human error, vulnerabilities like Ransomware, phishing, scams, and many others are instigated by staff who are untrained. There is no antivirus or firewall which helps in protecting your teams from making such errors.

 Figure 5: cybersecurity threats 

 Cybersecurity training testing is a vital sensitization program, especially for corporate employees. This is because it equips employees with the best practices, dos, and don’ts that surround various organizational threats and data protection. The program on cybersecurity training testing is important in providing employees with knowledge about cybersecurity threats and training them to respond. The cyber training testing program will help you to learn more about cybercrimes, social engineering, detecting vulnerabilities, and reporting various incidences of security threats.

Figure 6: cybersecurity

 The main key features of cybersecurity training testing

 Simulated attacks:  This is a training method that involves simulated attacks to gauge the best effective strategies to teach users how to respond to attacks if they occur.

Reporting: this helps in teaching users how to respond to attacks when they take place.

 Incident response: it entails going beyond training to integrate incident response capabilities to enable users to learn how to respond to potential attacks and allow security experts to investigate.

Cybersecurity Certification

 Most individuals question whether certifications in cybersecurity are worth investing your money and time. However, in my view, cybersecurity certifications are worth the effort because they help supplement your qualifications on your resume, and therefore, they serve as differentiating factors in the Job marketplace. Some common cybersecurity certifications include; CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), CISM, and CISSP (Certified Information systems security professional).

Figure7: cybersecurity certifications

The cybersecurity certification equips IT experts and professionals with more knowledge on protecting sensitive information for organizations in several fields such as banking institutions, healthcare organizations, the education sector, retail businesses, social media, etc. Also, by attaining cybersecurity certification, you will learn different ways to maintain, evaluate, and enhance the security infrastructure.

In conclusion, cyber training testing, certification, news, and cybersecurity degree course will help you gain more knowledge on vulnerabilities, enhance your career prospects, and understand how to carry out penetration testing on web applications, networks, servers, and electronic devices. Cyber-attacks mainly aim to access, alter, steal sensitive data, extort money from the users, and disrupt normal business operations .Establishing effective cybersecurity counteractive measures in today’s business environment is difficult because there are several devices than individuals, and the attackers are becoming more innovative and creative.  In addition, cyber training testing program will help you to learn more about cybercrimes, social engineering, detecting vulnerabilities, and reporting various incidences of security threats.

Технологии становятся более совершенными, дома – “умными”, а люди вовсю используют потенциал искусственного интеллекта. Вместе с тем, киберпреступники понимают, что наибольшие ценности сосредоточились в Интернете. А значит, под угрозой кибератаки находится каждый, чьи персональные данные размещены в сети. С какими проблемами столкнется кибербезопасность в 2021 году, поговорим в статье. Ведь осведомлен – значит, вооружен.

Социальная инженерия: игры, в которые играют хакеры 

Социальная инженерия – манипулирование человеческой психологией (страхом, удивлением, растерянностью) с целью получить доступ к аккаунту, компьютеру или Интернету вещей. 

Например, хакер отслеживает деятельность компании в социальной сети, находит сотрудника и начинает общение с ним. Узнает какие-то подробности его работы и предлагает ознакомиться с интересным проектом. Нужно скачать вложение – которое, как вы уже догадались, содержит вирус. Компьютер взломан, а ценная корпоративная информация утекает к хакеру.

В прошлом году треть всех случаев утечки информации были связаны с техниками социальной инженерии. При этом, 90% атак составлял фишинг – отправка писем по электронной почте с вредоносными приложениями. Кстати, фишинг стал достаточно персонализированным: сотрудники компаний получают информацию якобы от коллег; от брендов с дисконтными предложениями; от спонсоров, будто бы желающих инвестировать в новые проекты. Но стоит открыть вложение, как компьютер мгновенно инфицируется, а личная информация больше не является собственностью владельца. 

Кроме того, фишинг теперь ориентируется на социальные сети. Например, в результате вредоносных рассылок через Twitter пользователи суммарно потеряли $100 тысяч. Таким же манипулятивным образом киберпреступники украли $2.3 млн у учащихся частной школы в Техасе. С ноября по декабрь прошлого года мошенники рассылали родителям школьников письма с поддельными банковскими счетами с просьбой перечислить средства за обучения. Не разобравшись, многие родители выполнили то, что просили сделать хакеры. И, хотя дело передали в полицию, хакеров до сих пор не обнаружили.

Фишинг меняет направление: атака на “облако”

Под угрозой находятся и облачные сервисы. Фишинговые атаки на cloud учащаются, вне зависимости от того, пользуетесь вы SaaS или отдаете предпочтение PaaS либо IaaS. 

С одной стороны, названия “облачных” сервисов фигурируют в фейковых сообщения. С другой, приложения SaaS и IaaS представляют собой идеальную инфраструктуру для организации фишинговых страниц. Мошенники таким образом представляют пользователю вполне легальный домен и сертификаты. На первый взгляд, таким сайтам и программам можно доверять. Кроме того, технологии мониторинга, которые не могут осуществить масштабную проверку TLS, не видят, зачем используется данное соединение. А также не могут отличить корпоративный аккаунт от фишингового. Phishstats.info недавно обнародовал антирейтинг платформ, часто используемых мошенниками для фишинга, на третьем месте фигурирует Google, на шестом – Amazon, на одиннадцатом – Microsoft.  

Кстати, в десятке самых опасных фишинговых уловок фигурируют вариации docs.google.com и drive.google.com.

Видя знакомое название, пользователь более охотно кликнет на письмо – и станет жертвой мошенника. Если не заметит, что в названии, к примеру, указан “Goggle”, “Mikrosoft” или “Linkdin”.

Как противостоять социальной инженерии?

Чтобы ваш IP-адрес не попал на глаза мошенникам, включайте впн, когда заходите на незнакомые сайты. Пользуйтесь приватными браузерами либо включайте режим инкогнито в Google Chrome. Тогда ваша онлайн-активность останется невидимой. 

Мониторьте, что происходит в мире кибербезопасности сейчас. Возможно, произошла утечка данных из большой компании, которой вы оставляли контактную информацию. Что делать в этом случае? Рекомендуем:

• Вам нужно проверить, не попали ли ваши персональные данные в руки хакеров. Например, являетесь ли вы клиентом бренда, на который напали хакеры. Знаете ли вы, какой именно информацией о вас обладает компания? Произошла ли утечка паролей? Поменяйте пароли на других аккаунтах, если вы пользовались одним и тем же кодом доступа к разным веб-сайтам. Покупатели также должны регулярно проверять состояние банковского счёта и смотреть выписку с кредитной карты, особенно если в ходе утечки данных в руки мошенников попала финансовая информация. Как только заметите любую подозрительную или необычную активность, свяжитесь с банком и сообщите в надлежащий

Соблюдайте корпоративную этику на предприятии. Пользователь ПК получает доступ к корпоративной программам для решения конкретной задачи и не может переписываться со знакомыми с рабочего аккаунта. Даже если хакеры узнают персональные данные пользователя, они не смогут контролировать внутреннюю компьютерную систему и сенситивные данные.

Просматривайте электронные письмо, обращая внимание на подозрительные элементы. Например, вы получаете сообщение с требованием немедленно выслать деньги или приобрести товар. Также смотрите, как написан адрес почты отправителя: как правило, поддельные письма содержат одну-две неправильных буквы, которые невнимательный пользователь не различии. Кроме того, повод задуматься о потенциальном мошенничестве – неграмотное письмо на иностранном языке. 

Проверьте, кому принадлежит URL в емэйле, прежде чем откроете письмо. Например, вам сообщают, что местный банк хочет проверить данные вашей карты. Посмотрите, существует ли такой электронный адрес у банка. Какие контакты находятся в открытом доступе?

Прежде чем перечислить средства, свяжитесь с поставщиком, организуйте видео-звонок либо напрямую спросите коллегу, который якобы нуждается в деньгах. 

Эти меры помогут вам защититься от мошенников.