For security leaders, the real challenge kicks in when you get your hands on a penetration testing report. Let’s face it, these reports can be a tough read – pages filled with vulnerabilities. But where do you begin? This blog is all about cutting through the clutter of those daunting lists and turning them into solid plans for ramping up your defences.
We’re diving into practical tips and straightforward strategies to help you not just fix issues, but really get the best out of every report from your penetration testing company, even before the testing wheels start turning.
1. Digging Deeper: Understanding the Wider Impact of Every Security Finding
When you receive a penetration testing report, it’s not just about fixing the issues listed; it’s about using each finding as a springboard for broader security improvements. Imagine you find a vulnerability in one part of your network or application. It’s like spotting a leak in one room of a house – it’s a sign you need to check the whole building.
Each finding in the report can be a clue pointing to similar issues elsewhere in your system that the test might not have covered. This approach is crucial for a thorough security overhaul.
Here’s why delving into each finding is vital for your penetration test findings:
- Identify Widespread Issues: If a problem is found in one area, similar issues may exist in other parts. For instance, if a certain type of Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability is found in one application, it's worth checking if other applications might be susceptible to the same issue.
- Root Cause Analysis: Understanding why a vulnerability exists in the first place can help prevent similar issues in the future. This might mean changing how your team manages code or tightening up network configurations.
- Leverage Findings for Internal Testing: Use the findings as a guide for your internal security checks. If a penetration test didn't cover all areas, your team can follow up to ensure no stone is left unturned.
- Historical Context Matters: Look back at your logs, especially around recent patches. This can tell you how long a vulnerability existed and whether it was exploited before it was patched. Knowing this history helps you understand and improve your overall security posture.
- Indicators of Compromise: Detailed reports may include indicators of compromise, which are like breadcrumbs showing how an attacker might have exploited a vulnerability. Use this information to check for similar patterns in your historical data.
By thoroughly examining each finding and considering its implications beyond the immediate context, you’re not just fixing individual issues – you’re strengthening your entire network and applications against future threats. This approach is key to making the most of your penetration testing results.
2. Striking a Balance: Prioritising Remediations with an Eye on Severity, but Don’t Forget the Low Severity Ones
When prioritising vulnerabilities in your penetration testing results, focus on what’s most critical first, but don’t ignore the less urgent ones. This approach allows you to effectively allocate resources without overwhelming your team and disrupting their daily tasks.
Vulnerability prioritisation is your blueprint, helping you identify, and rank vulnerabilities based on their potential impact, exploitability, and other crucial factors.
Why is it important to remediate the low severity findings?
It’s not uncommon to experience delays between identifying and patching a security issue, and this lag can be more pronounced for lower severity findings. In fact, during yearly assessments from pen testing companies, you may notice some of the same findings as the previous year, especially when it comes to low-severity issues.
Now, here’s why less critical issues still matter:
- Uncovering Hidden Dangers: Some low-severity issues can act as signposts for attackers, guiding them towards more severe vulnerabilities that may lurk beneath the surface.
- Future Impact: What might seem minor today could become a major headache tomorrow, especially as your systems evolve and change.
- Information Leakage: Default errors can unintentionally reveal internal file paths or the software versions you’re using. This can be like a map for attackers, making their job easier.
- Speed Matters: The faster an attacker can identify your infrastructure and vulnerabilities, the more likely they are to mount an attack. Knowing your operating system and software versions can give hackers the hints they need to break in.
- Quick Wins: Surprisingly, many low-severity issues can be fixed swiftly. For instance, adding a line to a configuration file might only take a few minutes. Considering even these seemingly minor issues in your remediation plan can significantly bolster your overall security stance.
3. Giving Testers the Right Details to Make the Most of Their Time
You know that every penetration test is a race against the clock, constrained by pre-defined rules and time limits. The key to making the most out of your penetration testing report lies in your preparation. By providing detailed information about your assets to the testers, you’re not just giving them data; you’re giving them time – time that can be better spent uncovering critical security issues rather than in basic reconnaissance.
- Save The Testers Time: Think about the complexity and time invested in building your network infrastructure or developing an application. It's a monumental task that your team has spent months, if not years, perfecting. Now, consider a penetration tester encountering this for the first time. Without your insights, they're navigating blind. Meaning your pen testing services could result in surface level findings.
- Provide The Information Needed: By supplying them with user documents, application demonstrations, network diagrams, source code, and even lists of technologies used, you're effectively handing them a map. This information accelerates their understanding of your environment, allowing them to bypass the initial learning curve and dive straight into identifying vulnerabilities.
- Know The Different Goals: For Black-Box Application Assessments or External Penetration Tests, which are designed to simulate an attack from an outsider's perspective, providing this much detail is not necessary. These tests are designed to discover vulnerabilities that an outsider could exploit without inside knowledge. In these scenarios, withholding some information can provide a more realistic assessment of how an external attacker might perceive and exploit your systems.
The way you prepare for a penetration test really matters. If you provide the right information at the right time, you’re setting the stage for a successful test. This means the testers can use their time wisely, digging deeper into real security issues. The end result? You get a report that’s not just a list of problems, but a useful guide packed with clear, specific steps you can take to make your organisation safer from cyber-attacks.
4. Seek Valuable Feedback
The results of a CREST Penetration Testing assessment play a crucial role in strengthening your application or network’s security. But let’s be honest, sometimes understanding the report results can be tough, leaving you with more questions than answers.
- Ask Pointed Questions: In the report debrief call don't hesitate to dig deep into the findings. Ask specific and detailed questions that can uncover hidden insights for remediation and future assessments.
- Seek Clarification: If any aspect of a finding appears unclear or ambiguous, reach out for clarification. A precise understanding is essential for effective action.
- Recognise What Works: Identify what you're doing right. This recognition helps create a baseline of security practices that can be further built upon.
- Consult the Experts: If you're not sure which assessment type is best for a specific asset, reach out to a trusted security firm. They can offer tailored recommendations that fit your specific requirements.
Unlock the Power of Penetration Testing: Get Expert Support Today
If you have any questions or need assistance in translating your penetration testing findings into actionable security improvements, don’t hesitate to reach out to Equilibrium Security. We’re here to help you safeguard your business with our highly rated penetration testing in the UK. Call us on 0121 663 0055, or email enquiries@equilibrium-security.co.uk.
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