Almost all businesses today rely on technology for daily operations. It’s hard not to be vulnerable to the ever-evolving cybersecurity threats! The only way to outsmart these attackers is by patching all vulnerabilities before they get to them.
Penetration testing services do just that, assessing your security systems to pinpoint where they fail. Experts will simulate attacks on the system from the eyes of a malicious actor. Then, they’ll eliminate even the most minor weakness before an actual attack occurs.
If you’re not convinced yet, here are a few reasons penetration testing is crucial for your company’s data safety.
Identifying Vulnerabilities
You’ve heard of the phrase, “Knowledge is power“. Well, it couldn’t be more true in a world vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. Penetration testing services give you that power by keeping you one step ahead of attackers at all times.
There’s a misconception that cybercriminals are amateur hackers hoping to access someone’s credit card information. Unfortunately, their intents can be more large-scale and malicious. It can include major financial gain, industrial espionage, or political motives.
Luckily, penetration testing experts know just how to outsmart these cybercriminals. Hummingbird Networks’ penetration testing services, for example, can simulate cyberattacks on your company’s system to see how easy it is. This way, they can patch up these weaknesses before someone else gets to them.
The importance of early detection can’t be understated. These cybercriminals are smart enough to find new vulnerabilities once you’ve eliminated the major ones. A proactive and continual testing approach is the only way to outrun them.
Protecting Sensitive Data
You may have heard data referred to as the “new oil” of modern businesses. It has never been more critical for companies to protect their intellectual property. Luckily, penetration testing services are a foolproof way to protect sensitive data and customer information.
Today’s customers entrust businesses with a wide array of sensitive data, from their personal identifiers to even payment card details. Data breaches aren’t just detrimental to the customer; they also affect the business. Cybercriminals are after proprietary business strategies and trade secrets, too.
Ensuring Compliance
In this uncertain technological landscape, customers can only rely on information security regulations to protect their rights. Some of these regulations include GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. They don’t just make customers trust you but also save money on legal fines.
In Europe, GDPR is the primary regulation you must comply with. It demands robust security measures continually assessed by penetration testers. All UK Covered Entity components also need to comply with HIPAA.
Businesses that handle credit card information must also comply with PCI DSS. Lastly, an ISO 27001 certification is the universal standard that all ISMS are held to.
Garnering Customer Trust
As customers get more wary about who they hand their information to, it gets harder for business to garner their trust. In the case of a data breach, your company’s reputation is the first thing to get tarnished. A single data breach is all it takes for customers never to trust you again.
The exposure of sensitive data, financial losses, regulatory fines, and legal liabilities can be a public relations nightmare. By investing in penetration testing services, you save millions of pounds and your hard-earned reputation, too.
Risk Management
Without expert penetration testing services, risk management would be a daily challenge. You’ll find new threats and vulnerabilities every day, with limited resources to combat them. Penetration testers offer a cost-effective solution to this dilemma.
Companies that don’t hire these experts don’t have a true understanding of the cybersecurity landscape. They may allocate resources to minor risks while major risks are left unattended. At the end of the day, they’ll be paying a lot more money to deal with devastating breaches.
Depending on the type of penetration testing, these services can cost anywhere from £3,600 to £80,000. This initial cost is admittedly high, but it can save you as much as £3.7 million in the future. It’s better to make this investment for risk management.
Conclusion
Today’s technological landscape is uncertain and vulnerable. We can’t stress enough the importance of a robust data security system, ensured through simulated attacks. Hiring penetration testing services is a simple way to tell your customers that you take their security seriously.
