Do You Really Need Ethical Hacking and Testing?

With research showing that 62% of organizations are unaware that they have a vulnerability that could lead to a data breach, assessments such as vulnerability and penetration testing can be a crucial part of improving cybersecurity for organizations of all sizes. Without ethical hacking, a key element of cybersecurity risk assessments, businesses often miss gaps in their cybersecurity posture that attackers can exploit.

What is Ethical Hacking for Businesses?

Ethical hacking tools and techniques simulate cyberattacks to identify ineffective tools and coverage gaps within an organization's cybersecurity defenses. The goals are simple:

• Uncover weak points
• Test defenses against real-world scenarios
• Help businesses stay compliant with regulations

During a cybersecurity audit, companies should expect ethical hackers to leverage their understanding of the tools and tactics used by bad actors during an attack, then anticipate cybersecurity threats for the environment being tested, and do their best to sneak through defenses. Many ethical hackers work as part of managed security services companies and are part of the team that will advise clients about new solutions or training to close those gaps uncovered during testing.

For businesses that might have leveraged cybersecurity testing services and risk assessments in the past, the primary difference between those systemic evaluations and ethical hacking is the latter's efforts to exploit suspected gaps or vulnerabilities rather than just reporting them. Techniques used by ethical hackers go far beyond cybersecurity vulnerability scanning and penetration testing and may include web application tests, network systems tests, and more.

Why is Ethical Hacking Crucial to Business Cybersecurity?

Key benefits of ethical hacking for business cybersecurity are knowing just where you stand when it comes to cybersecurity, and having a full view of the improvements needed. Other benefits include:

• Proactive Risk Management: Identifying vulnerabilities reduces exposure to attacks.
• Cost Savings: Testing can prevent costly breaches and downtime.
• Compliance Assurance: Meet industry standards and avoid penalties through regular testing.

Common Assessment and Testing Mistakes to Avoid

• Conducting one-time tests instead of regular evaluations. Neglecting regular vulnerability testing in your IT systems is a common mistake. Many businesses invest in a singular assessment rather than crafting security policies that demand regular evaluations. Both security solutions and cyber threats can be tricky; solutions demand ongoing optimization and threats evolve daily, so what was working last month may no longer be effective this month.
• Assuming in-house IT staff can replace certified ethical hackers. It takes a certain skill set to conduct effective risk assessments and security tests and it takes a whole other level of expertise to effectively and ethically hack a business environment. Not only do ethical hackers have to stay current with threats and trends in cyber attacks, they have to think like criminals do. Additionally, they provide an outsider's look into your network and security systems that goes well beyond checking the functionality of each security solution.
• Not addressing findings from penetration tests promptly. Receiving vulnerability reports from ethical hackers but not implementing recommended fixes can render testing useless. Often, smaller businesses believe they are "too small" to be targeted, and that fuels neglect of proactive cybersecurity measures, including timely resolution of issues uncovered by testing.
• Neglecting Compliance: Overlooking the role of ethical hacking in meeting regulatory requirements, leading to fines or legal issues.

How Can You Incorporate Ethical Hacking

To take full advantage of the power of ethical hacking, the best first step is partnering with a trusted IT security provider like Exigent. MSPs can typically provide testing, and offer a portfolio of managed security solutions to address any needs uncovered during testing. If your reputable IT partner can't conduct the appropriate tests, they will recommend a capable, professional partner to handle that portion of the assessments. From there, your MSP will guide your team through the results, and recommendations and then prioritize the next steps. From there, it's best practice to schedule regular penetration tests alongside a process that implements upgrades based on testing results.

If you have more questions about ethical hacking, including vulnerability and penetration testing, let's talk.