How to choose a penetration testing company? 

What is penetration testing? 

‘A method for gaining assurance in the security of an IT system by attempting to breach some or all of that system’s security, using the same tools and techniques as an adversary might.’ is the definition formulated by the UK National Cyber Security Center to describe penetration testing. 

In more details: penetration testing is a process of simulating a cyber-attack to identify vulnerabilities in your systems and applications. The goal of this testing is to find security holes that could be exploited by malicious actors and to determine the efficacy of your current security measures. Penetration testing is performed by specialized security experts, also known as pentesters, who use various techniques and tools to uncover potential threats to your organization’s security. 

if you are reading this blog post, you are well aware of the importance of IT security in today’s digital landscape. Cyber-attacks are becoming more sophisticated and frequent, and protecting your organization’s sensitive data and systems has never been more crucial. One of the best ways to ensure that your IT security is up to par is by conducting penetration testing. 

What should you be looking for? 

When evaluating a company for their penetration testing services, it’s essential to understand their methodology. Many companies use automated tools to scan for security weaknesses and provide a report based on that. While this may sound efficient and cost-effective, it’s important to note that automated testing alone does not provide comprehensive security coverage. To fully understand the security of your systems and applications, manual testing is essential. 

Manual testing includes additional tasks that automated tools cannot perform, such as examining business logic and flows and identifying potential flaws. For example, manual testing can help determine if a user can view or change another user’s personal information, if malicious files can be uploaded, if verification steps in a registration flow can be bypassed or if its possible to exchange a negative sum of money or stocks. 

Understanding the company’s methodology and work programs will give you an idea of how the company approaches the penetration testing process, and what you can expect from the service. 

The testing methodology and work programs should be derived from SANS Pentest Methodology, the MITRE ATT&CK framework for enterprises, NIST SP800-115 and OWASP ASVS to ensure compliance with most regulatory requirements. The methodology should be updated regularly updated with new techniques and vulnerabilities and enhanced with current threats constantly.  

Another important aspect that you should consider is the calendar of activities. It should include activities such as kick-off meeting, periodic updates and closing meetings. The process for reporting vulnerabilities that have critical impact and require immediate action should be described in detail and availability for retesting of these findings should be clearly specified. Clear and transparent information regarding retesting procedures and if the effort for completing these should also be provided. 

Last but not least it is important to search for companies that is able to adapt to your custom environment and provide an assessment based on your goals and objectives. 

Qualifications of the team delivering the penetration test 

The choice of certification can depend on several factors, such as the scope and type of penetration testing to be performed, the level of difficulty of the certification, and the hands-on experience that the certification provides. 

When looking for a penetration testing company, it’s important to consider the type of qualifications their testers posses. There are many penetration testing certifications available, but some are more comprehensive and hands-on than others. For example, the CompTIA Pentest+ certificate is obtained through a 4-hour, 85-question exam, while the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certificate requires a 24-hour hands-on exam that demonstrates a candidate’s ability to exploit unknown networks. 

Besides penetration testers technical qualifications, it is important to search for companies having a dedicated project manager to ensure that the penetration test runs smoothly and that you have a single point of contact. Having a dedicated project manager ensures that there is clear communication between the testing team and any other stakeholders involved. This helps to avoid confusion and ensures that everyone is on the same page and assures that any issues that may arise are resolved in a timely manner.  

Cost of Penetration Testing 

The cost of penetration testing can vary depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the target environment, the scope of the test, the type of testing conducted (white-box, grey-box, black-box), the amount of manual testing performed, and the duration of the engagement. However, by conducting a narrowly scoped test initially, you can assess the value of penetration testing and determine the Return on Security Investment (ROSI) of the testing. 

The Return on Security Investment (ROSI) metric is the appropriate method of calculating the ROI of penetration testing. ROSI is an alternative ROI equation, designed to accommodate the uniqueness of security-related investments. It compares the total avoided costs of potential security breaches to the cost incurred by penetration testing. A generalized version of the ROSI equation is: 

ROSI = (Security expense avoided – prevention cost) / prevention cost 

For example, if your company can expect to avoid even a minor security breach that would cost $100,000 over the next year, and the price of a penetration testing engagement were estimated to be $5,000, then the ROSI calculation would be 19 times the cost: 

ROSI = ($100,000 – $5,000) / $10,000 = 19 

What should you expect from a Penetration testing report? 

A penetration testing report is a detailed document that summarizes the findings and results of a penetration test. It should provide a clear and concise picture of the tested environment and highlight any security vulnerabilities or risks that were identified. Pentest reports should be structured such that identified vulnerabilities are ranked according to severity and include evidence of successful exploitation. 

Executive Summary: This section should provide an overview of the key findings and conclusions of the test highlighting the key takeaways and any other important information. 

Detailed findings section should contain: 

• Testing Results: A comprehensive list of all the vulnerabilities and risks that were identified, including the impact and likelihood of each. 
• Recommendations: A set of recommendations for remediation and mitigation of the identified vulnerabilities and risks. 
• Evidence: Detailed information about how each vulnerability was discovered, including screenshots and log files. 

Appendices: Additional information or data that is relevant to the test, such as network diagrams or system specifications. A description of the approach taken during the test, including the testing methodology and tools used. 

The penetration testing report should provide a comprehensive and clear picture of the testing results, including any vulnerabilities or risks identified, and should provide a guidance for remediation of identified vulnerabilities. 

Our Penetration Testing Services 

At CybrOps, we understand the importance of IT security and strive to provide our clients with reliable results that meet their needs. We are strong believers that theory needs to complimented by practice. As such within our company we have focused on obtaining those certifications that provide hands on experience within the examination and that require our testers to stimulate real world testing scenarios as preparation.

Our team of experts holds some of the industry’s most sought-after certifications, such as the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE), Offensive Security Web Expert (OSWE), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), Offensive Security Exploit Developer (OSED), Offensive Security Wireless Professional (OSWP), Offensive Security Exploit Developer (OSED), Offensive Security Experienced Pentester (OSEP), GIAC Mobile Device Security Analyst (GMOB), GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN), EC-Council CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker, Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT), and others such as ISC2 – SSCP, CompTIA Pentest+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional (CNVP), EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA). 

We are committed to providing our clients with a comprehensive and thorough assessment of their systems, and we always include manual testing to identify potential business logic vulnerabilities. Penetration testing is a crucial tool for protecting your organization’s sensitive data and systems. When evaluating a penetration testing company, it’s important to consider their methodology, the qualifications of their team members, and the cost of the testing. At CybrOps, we offer top-notch penetration testing services, staffed by highly experienced professionals, and are dedicated to helping our clients improve their cyber resilience. We don’t just identify problems-we help define a solution balanced around your business objectives. 

If you want more information about penetration testing, or looking for an IT security consultant to plan and execute a test, contact CybrOps today or Get a free consultation and quote.