Network Penetration Testing

What is Network Penetration Testing?

Network penetration testing, or pentesting, is a proactive security process for assessing network security measures. It involves conducting simulated cyber attacks on an organization’s network with the goal of identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in the network’s infrastructure. Network penetration testing reveals areas of exposure and helps organizations to strengthen their defenses against possible threats.

Network penetration testing is often employed as part of Automated Penetration Testing to simulate attacks and identify exploitable vulnerabilities in network defenses.

Why is network penetration testing important?

Network penetration testing is important because it enables organizations to identify security gaps before they can be discovered and exploited by threat actors. By facilitating the early discovery, evaluation, and prioritization of network vulnerabilities, this process can inform remediation and enhancement efforts, enabling organizations to mitigate risks, ensure regulation compliance, and maintain operational continuity. Through regular network penetration testing, security teams can make sure that their network security measures and up-to-standard in an evolving threat landscape.

How does network penetration testing work?

Once the scope of the process has been established, a network penetration test typically has five main phases: 

• Reconnaissance: In this preliminary phase, testers engage in cyber reconnaissance to collect details about the target network, including information about operating systems, user accounts, and network topology. 

• Scanning: The testers scan the network for active users, services, and open ports to find possible entry points into the environment.

• Vulnerability assessment: All of the information gathered in the previous phases is analyzed to determine to identify where potentially exploitable vulnerabilities exist within the network. This may include outdated or unpatched software or network misconfigurations.

• Exploitation: Identified vulnerabilities are targeted and exploited using the Tactics Techniques and Practices (TTP) or real-world threat actors. Testers seek to compromise systems, escalate privileges, and gain unauthorized access to data.

• Reporting and analysis: The findings of the testing are reported, including identified vulnerabilities, successful exploitations, and the potential impact on the organization. Recommendations for mitigation and remediation are then outlined so as to guide the continuous enhancement of network security measures.

What are the benefits and challenges of network penetration testing?

Like all security practices, network penetration testing has both benefits and challenges to be aware of:

Benefits

• Proactive defense: By enabling organizations to identify security weaknesses before attackers can, network penetration testing facilitates a proactive and preventative cybersecurity strategy.
• Informed decision-making: Network penetration testing provides actionable insights for improving security measures, ensuring that the best decisions are made to protect assets and mitigate business risk.
• Regulation compliance: By highlighting points of exposure where security measures can be improved, network penetration testing helps organizations ensure that their controls are in compliance with industry regulations and standards.

Challenges

• Resource intensity: Network penetration testing can be expensive, as it often requires organizations to solicit the services of third-party vendors. Additionally, the process can be time-consuming, requiring downtime that may potentially disrupt operations.
• Scope: Network penetration tests are typically quite narrow in their scope, so relying on them too heavily may result in some threats being overlooked. To ensure the best results, network penetration testing should be utilized in conjunction with other testing methods, both manual and automated.
• Accuracy: On occasion, network penetration tests may produce false positives or negatives. This means that due diligence is required to ensure that vulnerabilities are accurately identified and remediation efforts align with the organization’s actual security needs.

What tools are commonly used in network penetration testing?

A wide range of tools can used in network penetration testing.  Common examples include Nmap, which is utilized and network discovery, and Wireshark, which is used for network protocol analysis. Additionally, penetration testers often utilize tools like Burp Suite for vulnerability scanning, and Metasploit, which is used to develop and execute code during live exercises.

Informing proactive defense through network penetration testing

Network penetration testing is a critical component of a robust cybersecurity strategy. By simulating the methods of real-world threat actors, organizations can identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited to enhance their security posture. Through regular pen testing, organizations can iteratively enhance the security of their network infrastructures to protect sensitive data, ensure compliance, and stay resilient in the face of evolving threats.