In this article, we will introduce you to penetration testing from a business perspective. We’ll cover what it is, why you need it and how to find the right provider for your needs and finally leave you with a list of the top five penetration testing providers in the UK right now.
Understanding pentesting:
What is penetration testing?
A pentest or penetration test is a type of security assessment that aims at identifying vulnerabilities in an organisation’s IT infrastructure before they are exploited by hackers or other malicious actors. This is done by deliberately trying to simulate attacks on the system.
Types of penetration testing
There are three main types of penetration tests:
- Black-Box Test: In this type of testing the tester begins with no prior knowledge about the target environment. This strategy is closer to how a real-world hacker would try to break into your system.
- White-Box Test: A white box test is performed by someone who has been authorized to probe an organization’s networks and systems for vulnerabilities.
- Grey-Box Test: A grey hat test falls somewhere between a black box and a white box test in terms of how much information the tester has about the organization’s IT infrastructure.
How do penetration tests work?
In a typical penetration test, the tester will attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems in order to gain access to sensitive data or systems. Once access has been gained, the tester will then report their findings back to the organization so that they can address any issues that have been identified.
Benefits of penetration testing
There are many benefits of performing a penetration test, including:
- Identifying vulnerabilities before they are exploited by hackers or other malicious actors
- Gaining a deeper understanding of how your IT infrastructure works
- Testing your security posture against real-world threats
- Receiving expert advice and recommendations from qualified professionals
Who needs penetration testing?
Any organization that relies on IT systems and stores sensitive data digitally should consider performing a penetration test. This includes small businesses, government organisations and educational institutions too.
When should you perform a penetration test?
The best time to perform a penetration test is before an organization’s systems are compromised by hackers or other malicious actors. However, it is never too late to conduct a pentest and any organization that feels they may be at risk should do so immediately.
How to pick the right pentesting provider for your needs?
Consider the following factors:
- The size and complexity of your IT infrastructure
- The level of experience and expertise of the provider’s team
- The range of services offered by the provider
- The price point
Top 5 penetration testing providers in the UK
Here is a list of the top five penetration testing providers in the UK right now:
1) Astra Security
Astra Security is a firm that focuses on penetration testing, security audits, blockchain security, smart contract audits, compliance testing, cloud testing, and other services. They can work remotely and provide support 24/7. The Astra Pentest tool is a vulnerability assessment and penetration testing product. It features a clean, easy-to-understand dashboard that shows you real-time threat updates, risk ratings, and remediation suggestions for each vulnerability.
2) BreachLock
BreachLock provides cyber security consulting, penetration testing and training services. They house some pretty experienced professionals with backgrounds in offensive and defensive security.
3) Jumpsec
Jumpsec is another UK-based company that is making its way up in the industry. They specialise in penetration testing, security assessments and training. Their services include red teaming, malware analysis, and social engineering.
4) Mitigate Cyber
Mitigate Cyber provides cyber security services in the form of pentesting, vulnerability assessments, and more. They offer a range of services to help organisations protect themselves from cyber threats, including training and awareness programmes, threat intelligence and managed security services.
5) Cyber Tec Security
Cyber Tec Security provides cyber security services, including pentesting, audits and responds to incidents. They offer a range of services to help organisations protect themselves from cyber threats, including training and awareness programmes, threat intelligence and managed security services.
Summary
Penetration testing is an essential part of any organization’s security strategy and should be conducted regularly to ensure that vulnerabilities are identified and addressed before they can be exploited by hackers or other malicious actors. There are many benefits to performing a penetration test, including identifying vulnerabilities, gaining a deeper understanding of how your IT infrastructure works, testing your security posture against real-world threats, and receiving expert advice and recommendations from qualified professionals. When selecting a penetration testing provider, be sure to consider the size and complexity of your IT infrastructure, the level of experience and expertise of the provider’s team, and the range of services offered. The top five penetration testing providers in the UK right now are Astra Security, BreachLock, Jumpsec, Mitigate Cyber and Cyber Tec Security.
