Active Penetration Testing
What is Active Penetration Testing?
Active penetration testing simulates real-world cyberattacks against your organization’s systems, networks, applications, and security controls to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker. Rather than simply scanning for potential weaknesses, penetration testing actively tests whether vulnerabilities can be exploited and evaluates how far an attacker could potentially gain access. ACT uses the findings to help organizations understand their real-world cyber risk, prioritize remediation, strengthen security controls, and support cybersecurity and compliance requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is penetration testing different from vulnerability scanning?
A vulnerability scan identifies potential security weaknesses using automated tools. Penetration testing goes further by actively attempting to exploit vulnerabilities to determine whether they can be used to gain unauthorized access, move through systems, or access sensitive resources.
What does a penetration test evaluate?
Depending on the scope of the engagement, penetration testing may evaluate networks, servers, endpoints, applications, security configurations, authentication controls, and other components of an organization’s IT environment.
Can penetration testing actually exploit vulnerabilities?
Yes. Penetration testers may safely attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities within an agreed-upon scope. Testing is controlled to demonstrate the potential impact of a weakness without intentionally disrupting normal business operations.
What happens after a penetration test?
After testing is complete, your organization receives findings detailing identified vulnerabilities, their potential impact, and recommended remediation steps. These findings can help IT and security teams prioritize weaknesses based on their level of risk.
How often should a business conduct penetration testing?
Many organizations conduct penetration testing annually, but the appropriate frequency depends on the organization’s risk profile, regulatory requirements, technology environment, and how frequently systems change. Additional testing may be appropriate after significant infrastructure changes, application deployments, acquisitions, or security incidents.
Does penetration testing help with compliance?
Yes. Penetration testing can help organizations demonstrate that they are actively evaluating cybersecurity controls and identifying vulnerabilities. Certain regulatory frameworks, cybersecurity standards, customer requirements, and cyber insurance policies may also require or recommend periodic penetration testing.