Just when you thought that we couldn’t be any more integrated with (and dependent on) technology, the Covid pandemic swooped in to prove otherwise. The rise in the use of applications and devices to perform even basic functions pushed companies and end-users to keep pace. Of course, one group of people always seem to be ready: cybercriminals.

Cyber attacks are steeply increasing, and attackers are cunning, always finding new ways to get what they want. Cybersecurity professionals continue implementing new tools and strategies to protect their organizations from attacks, while criminals are innovative in their approaches.

Penetration testing is one of the best ways to ensure organizations – and their data – are safe from intruders. Companies can patch holes and secure their networks by taking a proactive approach.

Core Security, by HelpSystems, have recently published their annual Penetration Testing Report, based on a survey of cybersecurity professionals. Each year, Core Security tracks trends, year-over-year changes, challenges, and improvements to look at the cybersecurity landscape comprehensively. This article will cover some of their findings from the 2022 report.

Why Pen Testing?

Explored in the report are several key issues relevant to pen testing, including:

  • Security threats such as phishing, ransomware, and general misconfigurations
  • Compliance concerns
  • Disparate environments
  • Testing team challenges and efforts
  • Toolsets used for pen testing
  • Integration with security assessment tools
  • and more…

Why do cybersecurity professionals use penetration testing to keep their data, networks, and users safe? The top three motives reported by organizations are:

  • Compliance (75% of respondents, up 5% from 2021)
  • Measuring security posture (75% of respondents, up 2% from 2021)
  • Vulnerability management programs (57%, down 17% from 2021)

While a double-digit decrease in pen testing for vulnerability management support is notable, researchers observe that many organizations are overwhelmed by the dramatically increasing threats and (Read more...)