What has changed in Information Security

We must understand and accept at the outset that the situation is not the same as a decade ago, when this discipline was booming. Today the security requirements of organizations demand a radical change in penetration testing to provide them with a clear value.

This is what has changed:

·         Companies recognize the need for minimum levels of security (no longer need to demonstrate that you do not apply patches or other controls may suffer a serious incident).

·         Companies recognize that given enough material, human and technical resources, the access to certain information or system is virtually impossible to avoid (again, no longer need someone to show).

·         Companies have found that conduct thorough safety testing on a specific system gives more value to implement basic security architecture that considers all critical components and risks "relevant" for the business.

·         Companies and criminals also understand that most security risks do not currently reside in technical vulnerabilities, but in the processes and people.

·         Companies know that they no longer need to hire specialists who only told they're very wrong (technically), and that their problems are solved by implementing security controls expensive and complex without considering the root problem (which usually is not technical).

·         Many companies with the help of Information Security Company have gained minimum level of security knowledge and experience that enable them to demand quality of deliverables and reasonableness in projects and are unimpressed by technicalities.

·         The automated vulnerability assessments today are as complete and provide a level of analysis sufficient depth for most companies, within a reasonable time (most cost-effective than manual tests that can provide the experienced penetration testers).

·         Companies today value the confidence that the degree of technical specialty (Most market specialists and have a minimum acceptable level. Likewise, the "hackers" than before who infiltrated networks or viruses or worms were programmed before rewarded and recognized, today go to jail and are rejected by firms).

·         Standards such as PCI, which consider traditional penetration testing as a prerequisite today are strongly criticized by the high costs involved, compared to real improvements in security levels that provide (cost - benefit).

·         Companies are promoting security schemes based on analysis of their own risks, rather than the blind application of "generic best practices."

The value of Penetration Testing

Previously it was common to say that penetration testing systems complemented automated vulnerability analysis (coverage width) to review in depth the most critical systems.  But given the changes mentioned above, penetration tests lose their value for many companies, even giving all possible knowledge to specialists that perform.  Vulnerabilities supplement reviews through deeper technical analysis is almost idle today, and this is perceived not only companies, but also criminals.

However, there is an evolutionary path for Penetration Testing Company to provide security assessments to all organizations needed.  And it makes perfect sense. If we turn around us in our businesses and we begin to think where to look for a common criminal to gain access to confidential information or our systems, we realize that their first choice probably would not be the technical way, but rather as bribery or social engineering.

Webimprints is an information security company that provides penetration testing services to full fill security needs. Posted by Webimprints.