Information has become a vital and unique aspect of this contemporary society. Information technologies have further exacerbated its importance by allowing for greater ease and speed of information exchange. Examples can be found in the rise of global connectivity as well as in the increased online business operations. The challenge is, however, to be found in the proper protection of information systems against unwarranted breaches. In this case, therefore, organizations strive to ensure that adequate security policies are implemented to protect against service provision breaches, sabotage, vandalism, and vandalism. One way of enhancing security is through constant monitoring and assessment of vulnerabilities within an organization. Therefore, more focus need to be directed into the dynamics of penetration testing and its role in ensuring greater safety within an organization.
A penetration test can be described as the process of purposeful exploitation of IT infrastructure with the goal of establishing vulnerabilities and loopholes (Baloch, 2014). The process analyzes and assesses flaws in applications, services, and operating systems. It also evaluates the aspect of configuration by analyzing end-user behaviors. Pen-tests are vital in helping an organization validate its existing security policies and defensive mechanisms. It also comes in handy in helping establish the degree of end-user adherence to organizational security policies. The need for improved information security has been crucial in defining the development of technologies and strategies for conducting pen-tests. Manual or automated approaches have since been developed, and they focus on systematically compromising all potential points of exposure including web applications, network devices, and servers.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The compromised system is then used to gain further control and access to various organizational resources and data. In other words, the attacker may attempt to increase their degree of their security clearance to gain more in-depth access to the system. It is important to note the fact that this process requires a qualified and certified ethical hacker to guarantee effectiveness and safety. The results of pen-test are vital in helping network system managers provide accurate information for managerial decision-making regarding security enhancements. There are three critical penetrations tests that an organization can commission (Baloch, 2014). Comprehensive pen-tests entail simulated attacks across multiple company systems. Secondly, a company can conduct application pen-tests which focus on specific organizational applications such as web applications or standard applications. Wireless penetration tests are also necessary for ensuring that Wi-Fi networks are protected against potential hacks.
A number of reasons can be offered as to why penetration tests are vital for an organization. First off, the security breaches often result in significant costs for an organization. Security breaches come along with organizational service and operation interruptions. This, therefore, means, besides direct financial losses, an organizational may incur further costs in terms of fines and penalties. It also comes along with negative publicity for a company, with a further risk of losing customer loyalty. Secondly, penetration tests are vital in ensuring that an organization to prepare multiple security threats (Engebretson, TotalBoox, & TBX, 2013). In other words, while traditional ways of enhancing organizational security end to focus on the installation and maintenance of layers of security mechanisms such as firewalls and user access controls, penetration tests concentrate on identifying actual security loopholes. This approach is vital in protecting against multiple potential security incidents. The third and most important role of penetration tests is that it allows an organization to establish security priorities. Efficiency is key within an organization. This means rightly allocation company resources to address critical issues. A penetration test thus comes in handy in allowing an organization to identify critical areas of security risks and thus rightly allocate resources.
Frequent penetration tests are crucial in ensuring consistency of network security within an organization. The fact that security risks and threats are ever increasing means that an organization has to enhance its security protection continually. The frequency of pen-tests can be done in accordance with a number of guidelines. First off, the addition and installation of new network infrastructure or application should warrant a pen-test. Secondly, pen-tests are necessary when modification and upgrades are made to end-user profiles and network infrastructure. It is also advisable to conduct pen-tests when new organization offices and locations are set up (Engebretson et al. 2013).
Pen-tests have a myriad of benefits to an organization. Firstly, by providing information regarding actual security threats, it becomes possible for intelligent prioritization or remedies and approaches that can be made within an organization. In other words, it becomes possible to allocate resources effectively. Pen-tests are also crucial in ensuring that unnecessary costs and challenges are avoided. One of the impacts of a security breach within an organization is that it affects operations. Network downtime resulting from breaches means that massive financial resources are lost regarding litigation, customer protection among many other activities.
However, by identifying and sealing loopholes before they can occur it is possible for a firm to avoid such costs. It is also important to note that the pen-tests can be vital in protecting the corporate image. The degree of security determines consumer choices and preferences that an organization provides. In other words, the loss of customer data through breaches tarnishes an organizations image and is likely to turn off new clients as well as minimize the trustworthiness of existing clients. Conclusively, one can assert that the primary role of a penetration test is to establish the degree of end-user compromise, the feasibility of organizational systems and more importantly, to determine the impact that system attacks can have on organizational resources and operations.
References
Baloch, R. (2014). Ethical hacking and penetration testing guide . Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Engebretson, P., TotalBoox,, & TBX,. (2013). The Basics of hacking and penetration testing . Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.
