The detection of vulnerabilities that can be exploited is crucial in network penetration testing. However, the current approach for conducting pen testing is expensive, causing many businesses to only undertake it when absolutely necessary, typically once a year to fulfill compliance requirements. This manual method often overlooks opportunities to identify and address security concerns early on, leaving companies susceptible to costly cyberattacks and potential breaches. Nevertheless, innovative technologies utilizing automation and AI have transformed the process, making regular network penetration testing accessible and cost-effective. We are currently experiencing a prime time for pen testing, where all companies have the ability to evaluate their network security without incurring high costs.
The automation of pen testing is a game-changing development.
The significance of automation in cybersecurity is rapidly increasing and is expected to continue on this trajectory. Due to the shortage of cybersecurity professionals, automation has become a necessity in order to effectively manage security needs. Even with the assistance of external services and contractors, businesses are struggling to keep up. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a lack of cybersecurity workers and negligence will lead to over half of the major cybersecurity issues by 2025.
Security automation and AI have become a crucial factor for companies looking to enhance their cyber defenses without the need to increase their workforce. This is particularly advantageous during times of financial constraints, as automating security measures is not only cost-effective but also faster and just as effective as traditional manual methods. By utilizing automated penetration testing, companies can gain unmatched security advantages at a fraction of the cost of manual testing. This allows companies to choose more frequent and affordable automated tests that can effectively identify vulnerabilities and proactively manage risks.
Eight Advantages of Automated Network Pentesting
Network penetration testing plays a vital role in maintaining a company's network security robust and equipped for any potential attacks from hackers. Below is a brief outline of eight advantages that conducting regular pentesting can bring to an organization's network assessment.
Identifying and Addressing Vulnerabilities: Conducting regular penetration tests allows IT professionals to detect issues in networks and devices before they are exploited by malicious actors. This enables them to fix or mitigate the weaknesses, making it more challenging for hackers to gain unauthorized access or steal sensitive data.
Finding Flaws that Other Tools May Miss: Penetration tests simulate real-world cyber attacks, uncovering security gaps that may be overlooked by vulnerability scans. This includes examining all potential entry points for intrusions, such as ensuring strong user permissions and testing the effectiveness of security policies in a practical setting.
Identifying Areas for Improvement: Penetration testing is not only focused on technology. It can also reveal weaknesses in a company's security processes, employee awareness, or response time. By addressing these areas, an organization's overall security posture can be strengthened and made more resilient.
Preventing Downtime and Financial Loss: Detecting vulnerabilities early on can help companies avoid costly cyber attacks and data breaches, which could result in significant financial and operational consequences. This includes avoiding legal complications, penalties, and the expenses associated with recovering from a security incident, as well as maintaining a positive reputation and trust among customers. According to a 2023 survey by Kaseya, more than half of the surveyed IT professionals reported that their company suffered losses exceeding $50,000 due to cybersecurity incidents.
Complying with Regulations: Data protection regulations have become increasingly prevalent at both local and national levels. Additionally, insurance companies may require regular security assessments as a condition for issuing and maintaining cyber insurance policies. These requirements often include penetration testing.
Understanding the Hacker's Mindset: Penetration tests provide valuable insight into the tactics and strategies used by attackers, equipping IT professionals with the knowledge needed to enhance their company's defenses and foster a security-focused culture among all team members.
Testing Your Incident Response Plan: Penetration tests can be used to assess the effectiveness of a company's incident response plan in real-life scenarios. This ensures that the organization is prepared to detect, handle, and recover from security incidents. Having a tested incident response plan can reduce the cost of a security incident by up to 35%.
Building Customer Confidence: Regularly conducting penetration tests demonstrates a company's commitment to security, which can increase customer trust. Customers want to know that their data is being protected by a reliable and secure organization.
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Do not succumb to the trap of solely conducting pentesting for the sake of meeting compliance standards
Performing yearly network penetration testing as a mere formality is no longer sufficient in today's rapidly changing cyber landscape. With the constant evolution of cyber threats, a reactive approach can leave a company vulnerable to malicious actors. Delaying pen tests increases the risk of overlooking easily fixable vulnerabilities, potentially leading to costly cybersecurity breaches.
Merely meeting compliance standards is insufficient in protecting against the increasing number of advanced cyberattacks being launched by cybercriminals. With the widespread availability of AI, cybersecurity has not only been transformed, but so has cybercrime. To combat the influx of new threats, businesses must be prepared. IT professionals can utilize pen testing to identify vulnerabilities that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors before any harm is done.
Why is it important to regularly conduct penetration testing?
With automation now available, companies should prioritize regular network pen testing. Here are the reasons why every company should adopt automated network pentesting immediately.
Using automated network penetration testing is a more cost-effective option compared to the traditional manual approach. In the past, companies had to spend a lot of money on hiring highly skilled individuals or outsourcing the task, which was a slow and expensive process. However, with automation, IT professionals can conduct frequent penetration tests without breaking the bank.
Frequent Scanning is Possible - In the rapidly-evolving digital landscape, vulnerabilities emerge regularly. By utilizing automation, you can conduct penetration tests more frequently, providing continuous monitoring for potential issues. With tools like vPenTest from Vonahi Security, your systems and networks can be evaluated at a much faster pace compared to relying solely on a human IT team.
Improved quality and consistency - Automated penetration testing consistently achieves its goal without any human errors. These tools are highly precise, accurately identifying issues and providing IT professionals with detailed instructions for resolution. This not only enhances the effectiveness of a company's security measures, but also allows the IT team to monitor their progress over time.
Using vPenTest, you can automate network penetration testing.
To enhance their cybersecurity protocols, companies can utilize automated tools such as vPenTest by Vonahi Security. This comprehensive solution is ideal for IT teams and offers on-demand network penetration testing. By leveraging automation and the latest techniques, vPenTest improves the overall security posture by streamlining the pen testing process, increasing accuracy, and reducing costs. With vPenTest, companies can achieve more efficient and thorough network assessments, allowing them to identify and address exploitable vulnerabilities before they become a serious threat. Say goodbye to manual processes and embrace the era of automation with vPenTest. Discover more about vPenTest today!
Vonahi Security: An Overview
Based in Atlanta, GA, Vonahi Security (a Kaseya Company) is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge automation technology in the field of offensive cybersecurity consulting services. Their SaaS platform, vPenTest, offers a comprehensive simulation of both internal and external network penetration testing, providing organizations with a cost-effective and efficient way to continually assess their cybersecurity vulnerabilities in real-time. This platform is utilized by managed service providers, managed security service providers, and internal IT teams.