Security testing methods are essential tools for identifying vulnerabilities, safeguarding sensitive data, and ensuring robust protection against malicious attacks.
In this article, our team at Planit explores five critical security testing methods every business should implement to enhance their cybersecurity posture and defend against evolving threats. Read on to discover why cyber security is important and how these techniques can help secure your organisation.
What is a Security Testing Tool?
Businesses and governments face increasing cyber-attacks targeting customer data. Fortunately, security testing tools are becoming more advanced with threat and risk assessment, safeguarding against these malicious entities.
Security testing assesses the security of systems and applications to protect against hackers, viruses, and cyber threats. IT security consultancy has become a must-have for modern firms to ensure that their applications, networks, servers, and databases have the appropriate protection. The process uses methods like fuzzing and code reviews and can be performed manually or with automated security testing tools.
Why is Cyber & Data Security so Important?
These methods are far more than simple insurance measures in the event of a breach. Cyber and data security are so important because they help prevent threats to data security, ensuring the protection of sensitive information – belonging to both you and stakeholders.
By identifying vulnerabilities through ongoing threats and risk assessment and then implementing effective security measures, businesses can avert harmful cybercriminals' exploits.
What are Some Threats to Data Security?
- Malware Attacks: Malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorised access to systems.
- Phishing Scams: Deceptive emails or websites used to fraudulently acquire sensitive information.
- Ransomware: Malware that encrypts data and demands payment for its release.
- Insider Threats: Employees or contractors who misuse their access to harm the organisation.
- Weak Passwords: Easily guessable passwords that attackers can exploit.
- Unpatched Software: Software vulnerabilities that remain unaddressed, providing entry points for attackers.
- Social Engineering: Manipulative tactics used to trick individuals into revealing confidential information.
- Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks: Overwhelming a system with traffic to make it unavailable to users.
Types of Security Testing Tool Options & Methods
1. Vulnerability Scanning Test
Vulnerability scanning identifies potential security risks in systems or network assets such as servers, routers, and endpoints. It is often the initial step in securing a network, ensuring that any security feature implemented effectively addresses the highlighted vulnerabilities.
As the scan runs, it will detect missing security patches, weak passwords, and any existing malware within a system and report any potential exposures. The beauty is that this is all an automated process, so it can be scheduled regularly—weekly, monthly, or quarterly—depending on the organisation's requirements.
2. Security Scanning
Security scanning also identifies vulnerabilities, but more broadly across networks, computers, or applications. It includes thoroughly analysing operating systems, applications, and web servers to find and eliminate risks.
Both manual and automated scans are utilised to test on live and test data, using separate IP addresses for the test environment. The scanning will also activate at regular intervals based on the associated risk factors. For example, businesses with significant IT infrastructure dependence require more frequent scans to thwart intrusions and enhance firewall protection.
These practices highlight the importance of IT security consultancy and why data security is important for protecting sensitive information against cyber threats.
3. Penetration Testing
Penetration testing (Pen Testing) seeks to identify and exploit vulnerabilities within a system. Often mandated by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS), this practice involves simulating attacks to evaluate potential threats, so your system’s defences are ready in case of a real attack.
Pen testing aims to uncover vulnerabilities and assess their associated risks, providing a comprehensive threat and risk assessment. Unlike vulnerability scans, which are typically automated, penetration tests are manually conducted by IT security consultancy experts, ensuring a detailed evaluation.
Penetration testing follows several steps:
- Analysing Requirements
- Identifying Threats
- Evaluating Vulnerabilities
- Exploiting Vulnerabilities
- Conducting Post-Exploitation Analysis
- Reporting Findings
4. Threat and Risk Assessment
Threat and risk assessment works to identify and prioritise risks for an organisation or project. The process involves recognising potential threats and evaluating their ability to exploit weaknesses through techniques like threat modelling.
Key steps in risk assessment include:
- Identifying all potential risks
- Prioritising risks based on likelihood and impact
- Conducting qualitative analysis for high-priority risks
- Performing quantitative analysis for medium-priority risks
- Recommending controls to mitigate risks
5. Security Audit
A security audit offers an in-depth review of an organisation’s information security measures. Regular audits help identify and address security weaknesses, protecting systems from hacking and malicious code.
Common audit methods include checking code line-by-line for security vulnerabilities and sending random data to find system faults (fuzz testing). Security audits performed by internal teams or external experts help organisations comply with industry standards and improve their security posture.
Preparation for an audit involves:
- Reviewing compliance standards
- Mapping the network structure
- Documenting access and group policies
- Ensuring data cleanup
By conducting these audits, businesses can better understand why data security is important and reinforce their defences against potential cyber threats.
What is DevSecOps & How Can it Help Protect Your Business?
DevSecOps incorporates security protocols within the DevOps framework, making security a collective responsibility at every stage of development.
By embedding security measures from the beginning, DevSecOps helps identify and address vulnerabilities early, reducing the risk of breaches – a proactive approach to security not only enhances the protection of your business's data but also streamlines compliance with security standards.
Adopting DevSecOps practices can significantly improve your overall security posture, making your business more resilient against cyber threats.
Explore the Benefits of IT Security Consultancy with Planit
Protect your business with expert IT security consultancy from Planit. Our team of skilled professionals will help you identify vulnerabilities, implement robust security measures, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Don’t leave your data security to chance—partner with Planit to safeguard your organisation against cyber threats.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can enhance your security strategy and keep your business safe.