This article delves into the pitfalls of limited pen testing and explores how integrating External Attack Surface Management (EASM) with Penetration T
In today’s digital landscape, organizations face relentless attacks from cybercriminals who are constantly searching for vulnerabilities to exploit. While penetration testing (pen testing) is an essential tool for assessing and strengthening an organization’s cybersecurity posture, it is not without its limitations. Traditional pen testing often overlooks key areas, leaving portions of an organization’s attack surface exposed and vulnerable. This article delves into the pitfalls of limited pen testing and explores how integrating External Attack Surface Management (EASM) with Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) can provide a more comprehensive defense strategy.
The Pitfalls of Traditional Pen Testing
Penetration testing is a widely recognized method for evaluating the security of an organization’s IT infrastructure. However, many organizations fail to conduct pen tests that cover their entire attack surface. According to a survey by Informa Tech, 70% of enterprises with 3,000 or more employees conduct pen tests to assess their security, and 69% do so to prevent breaches. Despite these numbers, only 38% of these organizations test more than half of their attack surface annually. This limited coverage creates a false sense of security, leaving organizations vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Sparse Asset Coverage
One of the major shortcomings of traditional pen testing is sparse asset coverage. The survey revealed that over a third (36%) of respondents conducted pen tests on 100 or fewer assets, even though they had over 10,000 internet-connected assets. This discrepancy highlights a significant gap in security testing, where a vast number of assets remain untested and vulnerable to attacks.
Blind Spots in Testing
The survey also uncovered that 60% of respondents were concerned about the limited coverage provided by pen testing, which leaves many blind spots unaddressed. These blind spots are particularly dangerous because they represent areas of the attack surface that are not being monitored or tested, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.
Failure to Detect New or Unknown Assets
Nearly half (47%) of organizations admitted that their pen testing efforts only detected known assets, failing to identify new or unknown ones. This is a critical issue because unknown assets can be easily exploited by attackers if they are not properly secured.
Infrequent Testing
Another problem with traditional pen testing is the infrequency of tests. The survey found that 45% of organizations conduct pen tests only once or twice a year. Given the rapidly evolving threat landscape, infrequent testing leaves organizations exposed to new vulnerabilities that emerge between tests.
The Need for a Comprehensive Approach
The shortcomings of traditional pen testing underscore the need for a more comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. To effectively secure an organization’s digital assets, it is crucial to integrate EASM with PTaaS. This combination enhances the coverage and effectiveness of security testing, providing a more accurate assessment of an organization’s security posture.
The Power of External Attack Surface Management (EASM)
EASM solutions, such as Outpost24’s EASM, revolutionize cybersecurity by offering continuous discovery, mapping, and monitoring of all internet-facing assets. These solutions leverage automated data gathering, enrichment, and AI-driven analysis to identify vulnerabilities and potential attack paths across the entire attack surface, including unknown assets.
Comprehensive Visibility
EASM provides organizations with unparalleled visibility into their attack surface, ensuring that no asset is left unaccounted for or hidden from view. This comprehensive visibility is crucial for identifying and securing all potential entry points that attackers could exploit.
Continuous Monitoring
Unlike traditional pen testing, which is often conducted infrequently, EASM solutions offer round-the-clock monitoring and real-time vulnerability insights. This continuous vigilance allows organizations to maintain a proactive cybersecurity posture, addressing vulnerabilities as soon as they are discovered.
Intelligent Prioritization
EASM solutions use context-aware risk scoring to help organizations prioritize their remediation efforts. By focusing on the most critical vulnerabilities first, organizations can ensure that their resources are used effectively to minimize risk.
Integrating EASM with Pen Testing as a Service (PTaaS)
The integration of EASM with PTaaS offers a powerful combination that significantly strengthens an organization’s security posture. PTaaS combines the depth and precision of manual pen testing with the efficiency of automated vulnerability scanning, providing comprehensive coverage of both technical and business-logic flaws.
Enhancing Pen Testing with EASM
By incorporating EASM’s asset discovery capabilities into PTaaS, organizations can ensure that their pen tests cover the entire attack surface, including unknown assets. This integration allows pen testers to focus their efforts on the most critical vulnerabilities, maximizing the value and impact of each test.
Benefits of the Integrated Approach
The integration of EASM with PTaaS offers several key benefits:
1. Unparalleled Visibility: Organizations gain complete transparency into their external attack surface, ensuring that no asset is left untested or unprotected.
2. Continuous Vigilance: The combination of continuous monitoring and real-time insights enables organizations to maintain a proactive security stance.
3. Intelligent Prioritization: Context-aware risk scoring allows organizations to strategically prioritize remediation efforts, focusing on the most business-critical vulnerabilities.
4. Rapid Response: The ability to swiftly mitigate newly discovered vulnerabilities minimizes the window of exposure to potential threats.
Gaining Full Attack Surface Visibility
In today’s cybersecurity landscape, relying solely on traditional penetration testing is no longer sufficient. Organizations must adapt to the evolving threat landscape by integrating EASM with PTaaS. This integrated approach closes the gaps between asset discovery and security testing, significantly reducing exposure to cyber threats and providing a more accurate measurement of an organization’s security posture.
As the saying goes, “What you don’t know can hurt you.” By illuminating the shadows of your attack surface with EASM and leveraging the power of integrated solutions like Outpost24’s EASM and PTaaS, organizations can take a proactive stance against cyber threats and safeguard their most valuable digital assets.
Interested in learning more about how PTaaS and EASM could fit into your organization’s security strategy? Reach out to explore how these integrated solutions can enhance your cybersecurity defenses.
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