Information systems (IS) are regularly attacked by "hackers" or "malicious intruders", for various reasons (economic, political, etc.). To counter these cyberattacks, IT infrastructures must be tested through penetration tests to ensure an adequate level of security. A penetration test is a process of identifying security vulnerabilities in a system or network and attempting to exploit them. The results of penetration tests play an essential role in discovering and remedying security flaws. In this article, we will discuss the responsibilities of a penetration tester and describe the five phases of penetration testing, in addition to examining some popular penetration testing tools that can be used to assess system vulnerabilities.
Responsibilities of a penetration tester
A penetration tester is responsible for finding security vulnerabilities, including to determine which penetration testing method (Gupta, 2021) is best suited to the situation. This is a challenging task that requires advanced skills and knowledge.
A penetration tester must be familiar with various hacking techniques and have an in-depth knowledge of network security. They must also know how to use various tools to assess the security posture of the target system.
The five phases of penetration testing
There are five stages of penetration testing: reconnaissance, scanning, vulnerability assessment, exploitation and reporting. Let us take a closer look at each of these phases.
The recognition
The first phase of a penetration test is reconnaissance. In this phase, the tester gathers as much information as possible about the target system. This includes information on network topology, operating systems and applications, user accounts and other relevant information. The objective is to collect as much data as possible so that the tester can plan an effective attack strategy.
Scanning
Once all relevant data has been gathered during the reconnaissance phase, it is time to move on to scanning. In this phase, the tester uses various tools to identify open ports and monitor network traffic on the target system. Since open ports are potential entry points for attackers, the objective of this phase is to find as many as possible so that the tester can leverage them in the next phase.
Vulnerability Assessment
The third phase of the penetration testing process is vulnerability assessment. The tester analyses all data collected during the reconnaissance and analysis phases to identify potential vulnerabilities and determine whether they can be exploited.
Operations
Once a vulnerability has been identified, it is time to exploit it. The tester attempts to exploit the vulnerability and gain access to the target system. This is typically done using a tool such as Metasploit to simulate real-world attacks.
Reports
Once the exploitation phase is complete, the tester prepares a report documenting all the findings of the penetration test. This report can be used to remediate any vulnerabilities identified in the system and improve the organisation's security posture.
The Benefits of Penetration Testing
There are many advantages to conducting penetration tests. Some of the main ones include:
Supporting compliance. Many organizations are required to undergo penetration testing periodic to comply with regulations (Graham, 2021) such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Conducting their own tests can help organizations save money and ensure that all relevant vulnerabilities are identified and remediated.
Identifying vulnerabilities. One of the key advantages of penetration testing is finding vulnerabilities in systems. These issues can then be resolved before attackers exploit them.
Improve the security posture. Penetration testing can help improve an organization's security posture. By identifying and remedying vulnerabilities, a system becomes less susceptible to attacks.
Keeps cybersecurity professionals up to date. To be a successful penetration tester, it is essential to stay current with the latest trends and techniques. Conducting regular penetration tests can also be beneficial for cybersecurity professionals, as it allows them to stay informed about the latest cyber threats and how to defend against them.
Popular penetration testing tools
There are many different penetration testing tools, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most popular include:
Nmap. Nmap is a powerful network analysis tool that can scan for open ports and services. It also includes features to identify vulnerable applications.
Metasploit. Metasploit is a vulnerability exploitation tool. It includes an exploit library for a variety of programs and operating systems, as well as an easy-to-use wizard that can help penetration testers capitalize on known vulnerabilities.
Wireshark. Wireshark is a network analysis tool that can capture packet data from a network and decode it into a human-readable form. This can be useful for identifying malicious traffic or sensitive information transmitted over a network.
Burp Suite. Burp Suite is an all-in-one Web application security testing tool. It can scan websites for vulnerabilities, manipulate requests and responses, and intercept traffic between the client and the server.
These are just a few of the many penetration testing tools available (Aboagye, 2021). As a penetration tester, it is essential to become familiar with as many of them as possible in order to choose the right tool for the job.
Common penetration testing errors
As with any activity, people make common mistakes when conducting penetration tests. Some of the most common include:
Failing to plan. Planning is essential for any penetration test. Without a plan, the tester will miss important targets and waste time collecting irrelevant data.
Not knowing your tools. Knowing which tools to use and how to use them is essential for any penetration tester. Using the wrong tool for the job can result in wasted time and false positives.
Testing too early. Testing too early in the process can lead to inaccurate results. The tester must understand the environment and the vulnerabilities that exist in order to conduct a proper test.
Relying on automation. Automated tools can be an excellent time-saver, but one should never rely on them exclusively. Automated tools can miss things that human testers would easily find, so it is essential to always manually review the results of an automated scan.
These are just a few of the many mistakes people make when conducting penetration tests. Knowing what they are can help you avoid them and improve your chances of success.
ST DIGITAL, your cybersecurity expert
The penetration test is a complex process. ST Digital has the expertise and skills required to carry out effective tests, which enable us to successfully complete our IT security mission among our clients. We adopt a holistic view of the customer experience: we protect your data, offer you powerful management solutions and conduct IT audits. Our experts carry out penetration tests that assess the ability of your teams to resist fraudulent email attacks, or phishing. These campaigns are tailored, following analysis of the company's technical context. We use a proven methodology.