November 18, 2024 at 06:03AM
IT leaders are urged to conduct more frequent network penetration testing to stay ahead of hackers, as compliance-focused approaches are insufficient. Automated testing solutions like vPenTest can reduce costs by over 60%, allowing companies to perform assessments quickly, maintain security year-round, and meet regulatory and insurance requirements efficiently.
### Meeting Takeaways from Nov 18, 2024 – The Hacker News: Penetration Testing / Network Security
**Key Points:**
1. **Current Approach to Penetration Testing:**
– Most companies conduct penetration testing on a scheduled basis:
– Twice a year (29%)
– Three to four times a year (23%)
– Once a year (20%)
– Compliance-focused testing may identify vulnerabilities at the time of testing but does not adequately address ongoing threats.
2. **The Importance of Frequent Testing:**
– More frequent testing provides better protection and allows companies to stay ahead of attackers.
– Top motivations for penetration testing include:
– Cybersecurity Control and Validation (34%)
– Regulatory Compliance (19%)
– Cyber Insurance Requirements (15%)
3. **Challenges with Traditional Testing:**
– Traditional methods involve high costs, time-consuming processes, and reliance on external consultants, which can delay actionable insights.
– The rapid evolution of networks and emergence of new vulnerabilities are not effectively managed through infrequent compliance-focused testing.
4. **Benefits of Automated Network Penetration Testing:**
– Automated solutions can reduce costs by over 60% and accelerate testing processes.
– Features of automated testing include:
– Compliance with regulatory and insurance requirements.
– Results delivered within days, enabling immediate action on vulnerabilities.
– On-demand scheduling without waiting for consultant availability.
5. **Strategic Shift:**
– Moving towards a year-round security mindset rather than relying solely on annual testing is crucial to combat evolving cyber threats.
– Frequent automated testing allows for proactive security measures, improving overall network defenses.
6. **Product Spotlight: vPenTest:**
– vPenTest by Vonahi Security is highlighted as a leading automated penetration testing solution.
– Key features include:
– Compliance ready for industry standards (PCI, HIPAA, SOC2).
– On-demand testing capabilities.
– Cost-effectiveness.
– Fast assessment turnaround.
– Real-time progress tracking and enhanced security monitoring.
### Action Items:
– Consider implementing automated penetration testing to enhance security posture and stay compliant with regulations.
– Explore vPenTest as a viable option for budget-friendly, scalable, and frequent network testing.
### Conclusion:
The landscape of cyber threats necessitates a proactive and continuous testing approach rather than a reactive, compliance-based one. Adopting automated solutions can significantly enhance network security while optimizing costs and operational efficiency.