Know the ins and outs of network penetration testing

Also known as pentest, network penetration testing is a method of assessing the security system of a network or a computer

. It simulates an attack from a malicious source known as a BLACK HAT HACKER or Cracker. A penetration test thoroughly analyses the system to identify any potential vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can occur due to poor or improper system configuration, known and unknown hardware, software shortcomings or technical constraints.

This test is performed from the place of an efficient attacker and might involve full exhaustion of security vulnerabilities. Once the assessment is done, any security issues which occur are brought into the knowledge of the system owner, along with an offer for mitigation or a technical solution. The main purpose of a pentest is to assess the feasibility of an attack. Some of the systems using penetration testing techniques are the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), security and auditing standard, etc.

There are a number of ways of conducting a network penetration test. Black box testing and white box testing are two of the major penetration testing methods. Black box testing works on the assumption that there is no prior knowledge of the infrastructure which is to be assessed. Before beginning the test the analysts need to determine the location and the extent of the systems.

In contrast to black box testing, white box testing works on no such assumption, rather it makes available full knowledge about the infrastructure which is to be assessed. It provides network diagrams, source code, and IP addressing information. Sometimes some variations also occur in between which are known as grey box tests. Penetration tests are also known as "full disclosure" (white box), "partial disclosure" (grey box), or "blind" (black box) tests according to the amount of informative data made available to the analysts.

Penetration testing is a very important and priceless program for any organization's security system. The basic white box penetration testing is performed as a fully automated cheap process. On the other hand black box penetration technique requires technically sound professionals to minimize the risk.

But performing a network penetration test can also prove to be very risky as confidential information about the organization can be disclosed while carrying out the tests. This is why the security organizations try to show that they have not employed any ex-black hat hackers and also that all its employees strictly follow an ethical code. To ensure a firm's authenticity there are various professional and government certifications which confer a firm's goodwill.

Know the ins and outs of network penetration testing

By: Antonio Bristow

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