Cyberattacks are growing in sophistication and scale. Therefore, cybersecurity experts are continuing to develop new ways to protect businesses and their sensitive data. Penetration testing, for example, is a reliable method of assessing strength against threat vectors.
Penetration testing allows cybersecurity professionals to run controlled attacks against their clients to test security posture inside and outside a network.
There are several types of penetration tests recommended for different needs. These include network penetration testing, social engineering pen tests (which assess employees’ susceptibility to scams) and mobile app tests (which focus on app build vulnerability).
This post examines penetration testing as part of a broader cybersecurity plan, the different types typically offered, and how they benefit security professionals and their clients.
What Is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing is a controlled attack exercise conducted by a cybersecurity professional to find exploitable security vulnerabilities.
It’s a simulated attack program that helps experts find security issues in networks, operating systems, apps, and cloud setups.
Vulnerabilities could, for example, reside in program or application source code. In this case, a pen tester would run attack vectors such as cross-site scripting and SQL injections to assess security strength.
Network Penetration testing typically breaks down into two categories:
- Internal network penetration testing, which concerns inner security issues such as password strength, computer system updates, and encryption models.
- External network penetration testing, which takes place outside a network – assessing firewall strength and practices for preventing external attacks.
We conduct penetration testing services for our clients. They effectively emulate real-world attacks. We use years of informed expertise to deploy custom, controlled tests to mimic potential threats.
Our clients benefit from a “dry run” attack before the worst-case scenario happens. That means we know where they are most vulnerable and can strengthen their defenses against attacks in the future.
7 Types of Penetration Testing
This post details seven types of penetration testing:
- Network Service Penetration Testing
- Web Application Penetration Testing
- Wireless Penetration Testing
- Social Engineering Penetration Testing
- Physical Penetration Testing
- Cloud Penetration Testing
- Mobile Application Penetration Testing
Let’s break down these types of pen tests in more detail.
1. Network Service Penetration Testing
Ethical hackers run attack programs during network penetration testing to try and break into a private network and find potential weaknesses.
Network service penetration testing enables us to check security weaknesses in connected devices such as routers, firewalls, and servers. It also helps us protect you against malware, phishing, and database attacks.
Network attacks often take place remotely. Attackers run a set of pre-agreed hacking strategies and note areas of concern.
2. Web Application Penetration Testing
Web application penetration testing tests security standards in public-facing, web-based programs.
In this scenario, an attacker pen tests a web application, specifically focusing on its configuration, design, and construction.
For example, an attacker could exploit errors in an application’s source code, a common cause of breaches. Alternatively, they could attack outdated and, therefore, more vulnerable components in an application.
App developers can use these web application pen tests to find security vulnerabilities and learn more about how to code and secure programs more effectively. For example, they might discover basic mistakes they can’t afford to repeat!
This detailed pen testing type considers specific web applications, such as plugins and applets.
3. Wireless Penetration Testing
Wireless penetration testing focuses on Wi-Fi and wireless connectivity between devices.
Attackers running wireless pen tests will typically run checks from the client’s premises, which puts them in signal range.
Wireless pen testers assess the security strength of clients’ Wi-Fi routers and how different devices are connected within a wireless network.
For example, these pen tests may account for connections between printers and PCs, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, routers, and wireless sensors.
This type of pen testing ensures that real-world hackers have zero opportunities to exploit wireless signals, sneak into networks, or steal data.
4. Social Engineering Penetration Testing
This type of pen test focuses on employee knowledge and attitude to security protocols. Social engineering means convincing an individual that they are handling a legitimate request, so they give away sensitive information or access.
Typical social engineering attacks and tricks include:
- Phishing, where cybercriminals send fake emails acting as legitimate sources but include harmful links to steal data and attack networks.
- Baiting, where people are scammed into revealing information such as passwords through tempting offers and promotions.
- Business Email Compromise, or BEC, where attackers pretend to be company executives by mimicking their behavior and spoofing email addresses.
Social engineering pen testing involves attackers mimicking these attacks to test employees’ knowledge and resilience. These tests often reveal a need for extra training—for example, staff could learn more about how to spot fake requests and verify potentially harmful contacts.
5. Physical Penetration Testing
Physical pen testing occurs on-premises and typically involves attacking networks and systems through physical security controls.
For example, a hacker might find vulnerabilities in access control, gaps in restricted area protection, or that employees are susceptible to social engineering.
Physical pen testing encourages businesses to think just as much about their on-site security as their internal network strategies.
6. Cloud Penetration Testing
As the name suggests, cloud pen testing focuses on finding risks and vulnerabilities in cloud environments, such as shared infrastructures and servers.
Cloud pen tests assess third-party services, apps, and storage solutions that connect to create a singular cloud “environment.”
To assess cloud resources, attackers might use a black box methodology, where they hack blindly into servers and networks, or a white box methodology, where they have complete authorization. We explore these terms a little more below.
Cloud penetration testing is important for service providers and clients who might have shared responsibility over passwords, APIs, and private customer data. Complex cloud environments are not easy to assess for security at a glance, – but pen testers can dive deep and explore hidden flaws and potential hazards no matter the scope of a cloud setup.
7. Mobile Application Penetration Testing
Mobile application penetration testing focuses on apps specifically developed for iOS or Android, for example, with specific architectures and configurations built for smartphones, tablets, and wearable tech.
Mobile app pen testing helps developers spot security flaws and exploits that could cause users to lose data or money, such as through e-wallets, instant messaging, or games.
Common mobile app flaws include weak authentication, lax data storage facilities, and exposed or unsecured APIs. Pen testers can attack mobile apps to expose vulnerabilities pre-launch, helping to build user trust and developer reputation.
Regular mobile app testing, too, can ensure developers roll out regular patches onto Google Play and iOS App Stores to keep users safe.
What Are the Various Methodologies for Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing can be complex depending on clients' and service providers' specific needs. However, there are a few common methodologies and templates that pen testers use to exploit vulnerabilities and make recommendations.
For example, an effective penetration testing strategy might involve:
- Black Box vs. White Box Testing
- Red Team vs. Blue Team Exercises
Here’s what that means in practice.
Black Box vs. White Box Testing
Cybersecurity professionals typically choose between black box and white box testing methods. VikingCloud, for example, runs tests on live networks and applications, which leans more toward white box.
Black box penetration testing is effectively a blind vulnerability assessment. Before a test occurs, attackers have zero knowledge of network infrastructure or a client’s data, recreating a real-world scenario of a random attack.
That, while closely mimicking real threats, is often complex and costly to run.
White box penetration testing gives attackers extensive detail regarding the environment they are assessing. What’s more, white box pen testing gives hackers access to network mapping to find their way around potential vulnerabilities more efficiently.
Additionally, a third methodology – gray box testing – gives attackers limited credentials and attempts to mimic insider and outsider attack behavior.
Red Team vs. Blue Team Exercises
The red team and blue team exercises split pen testers into opposing sides. The red team is the attacking side, attempting to break through a client’s security defenses.
The blue team, meanwhile, acts as the client’s defense, deploying industry-level protection to fight back.
These exercises mimic a military style operation with an attack and a defense – they help testers on the red team find vulnerabilities and areas of concern that should be patched up and that help blue testers discover the best remediation and response strategies.
Ultimately, these exercises also help clients see what could happen during a real-world attack and how professional cybersecurity measures can help them fight back. It’s a useful opportunity to give feedback on existing cybersecurity and to educate clients on best practices.
How Frequently Should Pen Testing be Conducted?
Pen testing should ideally occur once a year, particularly if you run a young or small business.
As your company and operation grow, so will the complexity of your network and technological demands. Over time, we advise you to start running a penetration security assessment three or four times yearly.
Regardless, professional and regular penetration testing leads to security postures that withstand even the most advanced attacks.
It’s easy to get started with a seasoned penetration tester. Contact the VikingCloud team to learn more about how we can fortify your security policies with regular tests.
