The evolution of technology has led to the emergence of new companies and the transformation of ideas into business models that can be worth millions of dollars.
At the same time, the number of potential targets for cyber attacks has increased proportionally.
This is why it has become common, and in some cases even a legal obligation, to test the technological environment of companies to identify vulnerabilities.
Vulnerabilities are flaws in the construction of technology that allow unauthorized access to the systems, software, and networks used by a company to conduct its activities.
These vulnerabilities can be exploited by cybercriminals, causing countless damages, which is why it is important to detect and fix these flaws as quickly as possible.
Security testing, also known as pentesting, is typically carried out by cybersecurity professionals and generally follows these steps:
- Planning and reconnaissance: This step involves defining which targets will be tested, the objectives of the test, and the testing methodology adopted - black, white, or gray box.
Black Box Pentest: simulates a cyber attack without any prior information about the target, just as a cybercriminal would. The test should begin with information available to anyone in public places, such as the Internet.
White Box Pentest: relevant information about the company's technological environment is considered for the test, such as access to systems, source code, etc.
Gray Box Pentest: This is an alternative that considers only some information, such as used URLs and IP addresses.
- Information gathering: Once the scope and methodology of the test are defined, this step involves searching for additional information about the target to test various possible attack vectors.
- Scanning analysis: With the information gathered about the target, the next step is to attempt to identify and exploit any vulnerabilities that may have been found.
- Exploitation: Once access to the company's software, systems, and networks has been achieved, the attack simulation continues to assess the extent of the vulnerabilities. In other words, whether it is possible to gain access to other parts of the company's technological environment from the initial flaw.
- Documentation and reporting: The conclusion of the test occurs with the documentation of all identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and an action plan for correcting the flaws.
Companies like Zoom, Google, and Facebook hire top cybersecurity professionals to analyze their technological environments.
The main reason for this is that these professionals have invested countless hours in training and education to stay updated on the latest threats, in addition to dealing with real cyber attacks frequently in their day-to-day work.
Another reason is the increase in the number of attacks. In 2021 alone, there was a 63% increase in the number of cyber attacks compared to 2020, primarily because the COVID-19 pandemic forced many services to migrate to digital environments.
HackerSec has been conducting penetration testing for over 10 years, with a highly skilled team that has helped improve the cybersecurity of companies across various sizes and sectors.
Additionally, it offers the necessary professional training for those looking to work in this field. Starting from the basics, HackerSec provides a comprehensive platform for theoretical and practical education with various technologies that prepare you to handle a wide range of everyday situations.