Does Affordable Penetration Testing Exist?

• 29 October, 2023
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Affordable Penetration Testing: A Necessity, Not A Luxury

In today’s interconnected world, it’s not a question of if your business will face a cyber threat, but when. As cyber threats continue to evolve, businesses of all sizes find themselves in the crosshairs of potential attacks. But for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the idea of investing in advanced security measures, particularly penetration testing, can seem daunting, especially from a financial perspective. The good news? Affordable penetration testing is within reach, and it’s an essential step to safeguard your digital assets.

Why Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing is akin to a mock drill where ethical hackers try to breach your systems, mimicking the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of real-world adversaries. The goal? To discover vulnerabilities before real hackers do. By identifying these gaps in your defense, you can prioritize and address them effectively.

What Should be Tested?

Some standard penetration tests are:

• External: This is the first stop in security testing. If you can’t secure your perimeter, you stand no chance. We will use our custom testing frameworks and tooling to investigate and report on what a threat actor could do.
• Internal: In an internal penetration test, we test all assets on your internal network to give you an idea of what an attacker could do if your external defenses were breached.
• Web Application: If you have a custom web application, it needs to be tested. We will follow the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide and our own custom frameworks to uncover vulnerabilities.
• Mobile Application: This is where we focus on testing your custom iOS and Android applications for classic vulnerabilities, but also mobile-specific vulnerabilities.
• Other: The above aren’t the only types of penetration tests. Brackish can help with Wireless network testing, IoT testing, API testing, and anything else you can think of.

The Myth of Expensiveness

There’s a prevailing notion that penetration testing is a luxury reserved for large corporations with vast budgets. This is a misconception. While it’s true that some high-end penetration tests can be costly, there are many affordable options tailored to the needs and budgets of SMEs.

Cost-Effective Approaches for Affordable Penetration Testing:

• Automated Scans: Utilizing automated tools can help in identifying common vulnerabilities at a fraction of the cost. Remember, while this is efficient, it can’t replace the expertise of human testers.
• Targeted Testing: Instead of a comprehensive test, businesses can opt for targeted tests focusing on specific assets or systems.
• Crowdsourced Testing: Platforms like Bugcrowd or HackerOne connect businesses with a community of ethical hackers who perform tests and are paid based on the vulnerabilities they discover.
• Open Source Tools: There’s an array of open-source tools available that, with some expertise, can be utilized for internal penetration tests.

Beyond the Price Tag:

The true value of affordable penetration testing isn’t just in the vulnerabilities it uncovers, but in the financial losses it helps prevent. A successful cyber-attack can have devastating financial repercussions for a business, from ransom payments and loss of business to legal fees and reputational damage. Investing in affordable penetration testing can help prevent these costs in the long run.

Regularity is Key:

Cyber threats are continually evolving. Regular, even if smaller-scale, affordable penetration testing ensures that your defenses adapt to the changing threat landscape.

Affordable penetration testing is a proactive measure that empowers businesses, regardless of their size, to defend against cyber threats. When considering the potential costs of a data breach, it becomes evident that investing in penetration testing is not just wise but crucial. In the digital age, security is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Brackish Security stands out as an option for affordable penetration testing without compromising on quality or depth. Recognizing that every organization deserves robust security regardless of its size, we’ve streamlined our processes and utilized a blend of the latest automated tools coupled with expert human analysis and custom Brackish tooling and frameworks. This hybrid approach allows us to deliver comprehensive results in a cost-effective manner. Furthermore, our modular service offerings mean that you pay only for what you need, ensuring that even small and medium-sized enterprises can benefit from top-tier security assessments. With Brackish Security, you get the assurance of a fortified digital infrastructure without breaking the bank.