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Penetration Test: How to choose an effective company

Penetration Test

Choosing a cybersecurity company for a penetration test (pentest) is a crucial decision for your organization’s security. An effective Web Application Penetration Test (WAPT) can reveal hidden vulnerabilities and protect your web infrastructure from potential attacks. This article will guide you through the fundamental criteria for selecting the right company, the differences between internal and external pentests, and provide a checklist of useful questions.

Fundamental selection criteria

When choosing a cybersecurity company for a penetration test, it is essential to evaluate several factors:

  • Certifications: Certifications are an indicator of competence and professionalism. Look for companies that hold recognized industry certifications, such as ISO 9001:2015 for quality management systems and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for information security. These certifications demonstrate that the company follows rigorous standards and high-quality processes.
  • Industry experience: Experience in specific sectors is an added value. A company that has worked with organizations similar to yours will have a deeper understanding of your needs and the specific risks of your industry. ISGroup, for example, boasts experience in various sectors, including critical infrastructure such as chemicals, energy, and transport, as well as private sectors like banking and insurance.
  • Methodologies: A reliable cybersecurity company should follow recognized testing methodologies and international standards. Standards such as PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard) and OSSTMM (Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual) are indicators of a structured and comprehensive approach. Furthermore, a good company should use a mix of manual techniques and appropriate tools to identify both obvious and hidden vulnerabilities.
  • Team of experts: Ensure that the company has a team of qualified professionals experienced in ethical hacking and security analysis. Look for companies whose members participate in the INFOSEC research community, publish security advisories, and collaborate with certification course creators. Practical experience is fundamental; a team that comes from the hacking world can offer a deeper and more realistic perspective. ISGroup, for example, emphasizes its hacking background and years of experience.
  • Transparency and guarantee: Transparency in the testing process and the guarantee of results are essential. A serious company should offer a money-back guarantee if it is unable to deliver the activity. The ability to provide clear and detailed reports, with an executive summary for management and technical details for IT specialists, is another sign of professionalism.
  • Proprietary tools: The use of proprietary software and procedures can provide an advantage in identifying uncommon or particularly hidden vulnerabilities. This indicates a strong investment in research and development by the company.
  • Compliance: A company should be able to help you meet compliance requirements, such as GDPR, ISO/IEC 27001, and directives for Public Administration like AgID.

Internal vs. External Penetration Tests

It is important to understand the difference between internal and external pentests:

Internal PTs: Simulate an attack by a user inside the organization, such as an employee or a collaborator. These tests are useful for identifying vulnerabilities within the network and for assessing risks arising from internal threats.

External PTs: Simulate an attack by an external attacker, such as a hacker operating from the Internet. These tests are crucial for assessing the security of Internet-facing infrastructure and publicly accessible web applications. Companies specializing in pentesting often use a black box approach, simulating an attacker who has no prior information.

Sources indicate that, by default, simulated attacks occur from the outside, i.e., from the Internet, unless otherwise specified.

Essential questions to ask during selection

Here are some questions you should ask the cybersecurity companies you are evaluating:

  • What certifications do you hold?
  • How much experience do you have in my specific sector?
  • What testing methodologies do you follow?
  • Do you have a team of ethical hacking experts?
  • Do you offer a guarantee on test results?
  • Do you use proprietary tools and software?
  • How do you handle sensitive data during the test?
  • How are the test results presented?
  • Do you offer support for vulnerability remediation?
  • Are you able to help us with compliance requirements?

Penetration Test: Comparison of international standards

Pentest methodologies are based on international standards such as:

PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard): Which provides a detailed framework for conducting penetration tests, covering all phases from planning to reporting.

OSSTMM (Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual): Offers a detailed methodology for security assessment, focusing on the identification of technical and procedural vulnerabilities. ISGroup, for example, states that it uses a mix of these consolidated methodologies with more modern techniques.

OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project): Which provides a specific guide for Web Application Penetration Tests (WAPT), with a focus on the most common vulnerabilities in web applications, such as the OWASP Top 10.

Choosing a cybersecurity company for an effective penetration test requires careful evaluation of several factors, from certifications to industry experience. A reliable partner must be able to offer a methodological approach, a team of experts, and a guarantee of results. Using the information and questions provided in this article, you will be able to make an informed decision to protect your organization from cyber threats.

Remember, security is an investment, not a cost.

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