Companies are becoming increasingly clear The importance of cybersecurity. The information generated, the data, must be preserved from potential cyberattacks.
To achieve this, organisations opt to hire professionals: true experts in IT security, who are responsible for protecting such data.
There are many specialised techniques and methodologies in IT security, such as, DevSecOps concerning software development processor Reversing the malware, the study of malicious code.
In this article, we want to talk about pentest and its uses in cybersecurity, an abbreviation for “Penetration Test”.
Pentesting: what it is and what it's for
Pentesting, or penetration testing, is a simulated cyber attack on a computer system, network, or web application to find vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit. It's used to identify security weaknesses before malicious actors can. First of all, let me explain that a pentest is one of the most commonly used techniques in the ethical hacking. Yes, we're referring to those activities that imitate those carried out by hackers, but with the aim of preserving cybersecurity (instead of profiting).
“Pentesting” refers to a set of simulated cyber-attacks, with the objective of identifying potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities in a specific computer system.
In this way, The company's potential security breaches are detected and tested. and, consequently, IT security experts take steps to resolve them before a real cyber-attack occurs.
Types of Pentest
Based on the information processed by the system during testing, we found that Different types of penetration testing and their uses in cybersecurity:
1. Black box‘
It is a blind test. Just as cybercriminals themselves would do. Cybersecurity experts have absolutely no information about the system or device to be attacked.
2. White box‘
The opposite is true in this type of pentest. Here, yes All the information is available about the system, application or web architecture to be attacked. Therefore, it is usually a test carried out by a company's own IT team.
It's a global analysis and therefore usually the most comprehensive option.
3. Grey box‘
This is usually the most recommended option, given that It is a combination of the two previous ones. Some of the information is processed here, but not all of it. This way, cybersecurity experts have to invest more time than in the second option when it comes to discovering potential threats.
How is this computer penetration test run?
To carry out a successful penetration test, it is necessary to to have specialised professionals in this area, as well as setting clear objectives.
Furthermore, it is recommended to sign a confidentiality agreement and draw up a report, where all information is recorded.
Having said that, we can now move on to the various stages of the penetration test.
Phases of Pentesting
What is the process to follow in pentesting? What phases do we find in this ethical hacking action?
Pentesting Audit
Penetration testing begins with an audit, where it is appreciated what type of information to gather. The data and the type of analysis to be performed are evaluated.
Information
It’s time to Collate the information of the organisation. This data may originate from the company as a whole, its systems, users, employees or the equipment itself. In short, these are variables that can affect IT security.
Attack
The moment of action and, therefore, one of the primordial phases. A series of actions are carried out cyber attacks, with the aim of finding possible system failures.
Report
To conclude, The entire previous process must be reflected in a report.. In it, the objectives, detected security vulnerabilities, and actions to be implemented for their prevention will be explained.
Advantages of Penetration Testing in Cybersecurity
So, Why use pentests and their uses in cybersecurity?
- Check a company's cybersecurity capability.
- Proactivity, or the ability to foresee and counter potential threats.
- To carry out a preventive action plan in IT security.
- To allow the continuity of a service or product.
It is reflected the importance of pentest and its uses in cybersecurity. But, as we were saying earlier, to know how to implement this measure well, it is necessary to have professionals.
In the INSTITUTO TECNOLÓGICO IMMUNE we train these future IT security professionals. To do this, we have this Cybersecurity Master, which is also available in online version. “Learning by doing” is one of our mottos, as we have active expert professionals as teachers. We use real company cases to achieve optimal learning.
And if you prefer, we also have this Degree in Software Development Engineering.
Join our campus now and discover for yourself all the opportunities that technology offers!
