Why Businesses Should Embrace Penetration Testing

As an experienced IT professional, I've witnessed firsthand the evolution of cybersecurity threats and the increasing sophistication of cyber attacks, across the varying industries and businesses of all shapes and sizes.

The consequences of such incidents extend far beyond immediate financial losses, they can erode customer trust and can severely damage a company's reputation. It's a weighty responsibility for myself, my team and you as individuals and business owners, knowing that the safety of sensitive data rests on all our shoulders. The rapid pace at which cyber threats evolve only adds to the pressure, often leading to sleepless nights for many of us. I am confident I'm not alone in this feeling, with the threat of cyber attacks, pushing us to constantly seek better, more robust solutions to safeguard our digital assets.

Cybersecurity, much like an onion, is most effective when structured in layers, each serving as a critical barrier against potential threats.

The outermost layer, akin to the onion's skin, can be seen as penetration testing, which serves to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Moving inward, the next layer could be firewalls and encryption, acting as the first line of defense against incoming threats, filtering out unauthorised access and protecting data in transit. Deeper still, we find intrusion detection systems and antivirus software, continuously monitoring for suspicious activity and known malicious signatures. Deeper still lies endpoint detection and response systems, which not only detect breaches but also respond immediately, containing threats and mitigating damage, and at it's core we see the human response. According to Stanford Research, 88% of data breaches are caused by human error so well trained staff is key.

Based on this approach, penetration testing has a vital roll and seen as the first security layer of many.

Understanding Penetration Testing

Penetration testing involves simulating cyber attacks on your computer systems, applications, or networks to identify security weaknesses. Think of it as a friendly hacker trying to break into your digital fortress, not to cause harm, but to find and fix vulnerabilities before real attackers can exploit them. Penetration testing, often referred to as pen testing, is a crucial component of a robust cybersecurity strategy.

In this blog I’ll explore why businesses should not only consider, but actively embrace penetration testing.

What Are The Benefits?

Be proactive in your defense: Through early detection of vulnerabilities, Pen testing provides an opportunity to detect security vulnerabilities before a hacker does. This proactive approach allows businesses to fix issues before they are exploited, potentially saving substantial costs associated with data breaches, such as financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory fines.

Enhance Customer Confidence: By regularly updating security measures and ensuring data protection, businesses can build and maintain trust with their customers. Trust is a crucial component of customer retention and can significantly impact a company’s bottom line.

I have also seen that it can create a competitive advantage for companies, who can demonstrate a well formed security strategy that includes pen testing. In competitive markets, demonstrating a commitment to cybersecurity can differentiate a business from its competitors. Customers are more likely to engage with companies they believe are actively protecting their data.

Cost Effective Security: The cost of a penetration test is often dwarfed by the expenses associated with a data breach, which includes legal fees, penalties, and loss of business. Investing in regular testing can save money in the long run by preventing these costs. With the introduction of pen testing as a services (PTaaS) this has helped to close the gap on a service that always seemed out of reach to SMB's especially.

That word "Compliance": Many industries are governed by regulations that require regular security assessments, including penetration testing. For instance, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) mandates annual and after any significant change pen tests for entities handling credit card information. Not to mention, this has now become a key question for under writers and Cyber Insurers when providing insurance polices to businesses.

An Insight into Your Security: Pen testing provides detailed insights into your security posture, allowing you to make informed decisions about where to allocate resources and how to plan your cybersecurity strategy.

How NSM Can Help Enhance Your Security Through (PaaS)

We decided to look at how could we make pen testing more attainable to SMB's with limited IT budgets, whilst still delivering on the one to one approach by engaging with a dedicated one to one pen test service. This is where Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) comes to play. Through PTaaS we are able to provide businesses with regular and comprehensive security assessments, conducted by experienced cybersecurity professionals, the equivalent to hiring a team of eCPPT, OSCP, and OSCE certified consultants with decades of experience.

With PTaaS, we provide  continuous protection without the need to hire a full-time internal or external team, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. We will tailor penetration tests to fit the unique needs of your business, considering your specific industry risks, compliance requirements, and technology infrastructure. We will provide detailed reports and regular updates on your security stance throughout, empowering you with the knowledge to strengthen your defenses continually.

As a service it is extremely scaleable, so as your needs and business grows, our security testing efforts are tailored to match your expanding infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive coverage no matter the size of your business.

Why As a Business You Should Take  Modern Approach to Pen Testing Through (PTaaS)

For many pen testing would not even be a consideration, "Its not for a business of our size", "Services like this are unafordable" or you may simply not even know the service exists.

Historically, penetration testing was a costly endeavor that placed it out of reach for many small to midsize businesses. Deemed as an essential service for all businesses, but involved significant investment in specialised skills and technology, which only larger organisations could typically afford. However, the landscape has changed dramatically with the introduction of Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS).

PTaaS has universalised access to high-level security assessments by offering these services on a subscription or on-demand basis, greatly reducing the cost and complexity involved. As a result, SMB's can now benefit from the same level of security testing as larger corporations, effectively leveling the playing field and providing these smaller entities with the same tools to fortify their defenses against cyber threats. With support and access to these technologies, this not only helps protect individual businesses but strengthens the overall security posture of the entire IT estate.

Penetration testing itself should be seen as more than just a compliance checkbox; it's an essential component of a proactive cybersecurity strategy. By understanding and mitigating risks before they are exploited, businesses not only protect themselves financially and legally but also boost their reputation and customer trust. As an IT professional, I strongly advocate for regular penetration testing as part of a comprehensive security plan. It's not just about finding vulnerabilities; it's about reinforcing your business's defenses against them.

If you would like to find out more about our pen testing services and where NSM can help then please contact us today, we would love to have a chat.