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- Network penetration testing, also known as “pentesting” or “ethical hacking,” is a crucial tool for ensuring cybersecurity within businesses. It involves simulating cyberattacks to identify potential weaknesses in a company’s defenses that could be exploited by hackers.
- The process of network penetration testing consists of seven stages, including defining the scope in conjunction with penetration testers, gathering information on the network, detecting vulnerabilities, exploiting identified vulnerabilities, post exploitation, reporting on vulnerabilities and suggesting security fixes, and finally, mitigating risks based on these reports.
- Common misconceptions about network penetration testing include the ideas that it is a form of hacking, that it only needs to be performed once, that it is only beneficial for large businesses, that it disrupts regular business operations, and that manual network penetration tests are the only way of ensuring compliance.
- Both manual and automated network penetration testing can be valuable, with each having its own benefits and drawbacks. Manual penetration tests involve a hands-on approach, but they can be time-consuming, associated with human error and not necessary up to date. On the other hand, automated network penetration testing can help to effectively identify vulnerabilities consistentl, and also less prone to human error and less expensive. It’s also more scalable and provides results faster than manual testing.
- Vonahi Security offers an advanced, automated network penetration testing solution known as vPenTest, used by many organizations to strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure.
Businesses of all sizes, large and small need to perform network penetration tests regularly to identify new potential vulnerabilities, providing them with the necessary information to mitigate risks and stay ahead of threats. Network penetration testing works as a shield protecting organizations from potential damages including downtime, data loss and reputational harm. Compliance requirements also necessitate network penetration testing, but one size does not fit all, and manual testing is not the only option. Businesses need to choose the most suitable method for their circumstances.
Automated network penetration testing solutions like Vonahi Security’s vPenTest enable businesses to run tests more frequently and monitor their organization’s risk profile in near real-time. vPenTest is a SaaS platform that fully replicates manual internal and external network penetration testing, allowing organizations to continuously evaluate their cybersecurity risks efficiently and cost-effectively.
In conclusion, modern IT infrastructures face a complex landscape of potential cyberattack methods, hence the importance of proactive defense strategies such as network penetration testing. While manual tests can be tedious and costly, automated solutions offer a faster, more reliable and cost-effective alternative through frequent, on-demand testing.
