Whether you own a small business or a major company, it’s crucial to be aware of cybersecurity threats. Your data is sensitive and unless you have active IT protection software, you risk the reputation of your business and the privacy and security of your customer base. To ensure your system is safeguarded, IT experts use penetration tools to determine if there are any weaknesses or holes in your network. If any are discovered, they can take the necessary actions before a malicious hacker gains access. Here is what you should know about penetration testing tools and how they work.

What Penetration Tests Can Protect You From Cybersecurity Threats?

1. Box Testing 

Black box penetration testing puts the tester in the role of the hacker. They are not provided with any information about the company’s infrastructure, such as the application source code — they must look for vulnerabilities from outside the system. On the opposite side of the spectrum is white-box testing, in which the person conducting the test is given information upfront about the organization’s network diagrams and source code. This method tests the internal structures of your system, whereas black box tests the functionality. 

2. Network & Web Application Testing

Network penetration and web application penetration tests are both used to evaluate customer-facing applications. However, network penetration testing focuses solely on the firewalls and DNS servers, while web application testing focuses on individual applications. For example, web application testing would look for holes in the website, server, and various web applications that could be vulnerable to hackers. 

3. Red Teaming Exercises

Penetration testers may use red teaming exercises to cover a wide range of potential attacks on the website. They find vulnerabilities by attempting to gain access to the network in ​​every possible way. Red teaming exercises also test how far hackers can get into the system before being detected as an intruder. 

To keep your system safe from cybersecurity threats, it’s important to have an IT company you can rely on for customized support and solutions. Halski Systems in Gainesville, GA, is the leading communications provider in metro Atlanta, with more than 18 years of experience in IT support and cybersecurity. To learn about what they can do for your business, call (770) 536-2276 to schedule a consultation with one of their team members. You can also visit their website for more information on their range of services.