Who Should Perform Penetration Testing for Startups

In order to find potential weaknesses, penetration testing, sometimes referred to as pen testing, is a kind of security testing that simulates a cyberattack on a business's network, systems, and applications.

Penetration testing for startups is a careful assessment of the security protocols in place and testing them to make sure that their digital assets are safe from online attacks.

An internal or external team of cybersecurity specialists can do penetration testing, which aims to find and exploit weaknesses in the startup's network, systems, or apps in a controlled setting.

After that, they will offer a thorough report on the vulnerabilities discovered and suggest actions to lessen the risks.

Who Does Pen Tests?

Because they might be able to reveal blind spots that the system's engineers missed, it is better to have a pen test conducted by someone with little to no prior knowledge of the system's security.

Because of this, the tests are typically conducted by outside contractors. Because they are employed to get access to a system with authorization and to improve security, these contractors are frequently referred to as "ethical hackers."

Experienced coders with advanced degrees and pen testing certifications make up a large portion of ethical hackers. However, some of the most skilled ethical hackers have learned their craft on their own.

Some of them are actually former criminal hackers who now assist in resolving security vulnerabilities instead of taking advantage of them. Depending on the target firm and the kind of pen test they wish to start, there can be a wide range of candidates for the job.

To What Extent Are Pen Testers Granted Access?

Testers are granted different levels of access to or knowledge about the target system, depending on the objectives of the pen test. Sometimes the pen testing team adopts a single strategy from the beginning and doesn't change it.

At other instances, during the pen test, the testing team's approach changes as its understanding of the system grows. Pen test access is divided into three tiers.

•        An Opaque Box

The team doesn’t know anything about the internal structure of the target system. It acts as hackers would, probing for any externally exploitable weaknesses.

•        Semi-Opaque Box

The group is somewhat familiar with one or more credential sets. It is also aware of the internal algorithms, code, and data structures of the target.

Pen testers may create test cases using intricate design documentation, including the target system's architecture diagrams.

•        Transparent Box

Systems and system artifacts, including as source code, binaries, containers, and occasionally even the servers hosting the system, are accessible to pen testers. In the shortest length of time, this method offers the highest level of certainty.

Penetration Testing for Small Business and Startups vs Large Corporations

"Aren’t pen tests only for large organizations?" is a question I understand.

The general response is no! For companies of any size, penetration testing is essential.

The importance of this is actually even greater for small and beginning companies.

Smaller businesses are frequently easier targets for cybercriminals who look for weaknesses in networks that are less secure, even while large enterprises have strong IT teams and resources to handle security.

Pen tests assist small firms in proactively detecting and addressing vulnerabilities that may result in expensive data breaches, harm to their brand, and even fines from the government.

Startups that have a solid security basis also gain credibility and trust from customers, which gives them an advantage over rivals for customers or investors.

Types of Penetration Testing

1.      Network Penetration Testing

Assesses a network's security, encompassing servers, routers, workstations, and firewalls. To find open ports, configuration errors, or poor authentication methods on a business network, for instance, a tester may use scanning tools. 

2.      Web Application Penetration Testing

This method evaluates the security of web-based programs, such as plugins and browsers. Finding weaknesses in the application's logic, code, or configuration that an attacker could exploit is the goal of this test.

3.      Physical Penetration Testing

Testing for physical control vulnerabilities is known as physical penetration testing for startups. Testers may try to enter a building without authorization, get past access control devices, or take advantage of holes in physical security measures.

Data centers and office buildings are examples of physical locations where this kind of testing can reveal weaknesses.

4.      Social Engineering

Evaluates the ease with which attackers might influence people in a small business to obtain illegal access.

Through phishing emails or phone calls, testers may impersonate reliable organizations in an attempt to fool staff members into disclosing private information or clicking on harmful links.

5.      Cloud Penetration Testing

Assesses cloud services and infrastructure security. It seeks to locate weaknesses in the cloud ecosystem as a whole, access controls, and configurations.

So, Why Is Security So Important for New Businesses?

For startups, security is essential because it may help safeguard the platform and users, foster trust, spur expansion, and lower the expenses related to cyberattacks.

Startups may build a solid foundation for success and steer clear of any hazards that could impede their expansion and success by giving cybersecurity top priority.

These are some of the main ideas that illustrate how important penetration testing for startups.