Have you ever imagined how important it is to lock your house or your safe? Well, in this digital age, your company’s data and information systems are like a treasure that is far more valuable. But, are you sure your digital ‘keys’ are strong enough? Or maybe there’s a ‘window’ you forgot to lock?
I, Warteknet, with over 20 years of experience in the IT world, often see firsthand how a small gap can become a big hole for ‘uninvited guests’, aka hackers. Well, one of the effective tricks to find out where the ‘back doors’ or ‘windows’ are leaking is with Penetration Testing (PenTest).
In essence, PenTest is like hiring a special ‘detective’ to try to break into your own security system, but with permission and ethics. The goal is not to damage, but to find weaknesses before bad people find them. Let’s dig deeper!
What Gets ‘Stripped Down’ During PenTest? (From Warteknet’s Perspective)
PenTest doesn’t just check one or two things, but covers various aspects of your company’s digital system. Like a doctor who examines the entire patient’s body, PenTest is also like that:
- Networks and Servers: The Digital Heart of Your Company
- Network Security: This includes checking firewalls, routers, switches, and other devices that make up your data ‘highway’. Testers will try to find gaps in this infrastructure.
- Wireless Network Security (Wi-Fi): Unsecured Wi-Fi can be the easiest entry point. Testers will look for weak configurations or easily broken encryption.
- Cloud Security: If you use cloud services (like Google Cloud, AWS, Azure), PenTest will ensure that the security configurations there are optimal, from access to identity management.
- Endpoint Security: Laptops, computers, or even employee cellphones are ‘end points’ that are often targeted. PenTest will check for vulnerabilities on these devices.
- IoT (Internet of Things) Security: If your company uses smart devices or sensors that are connected to the internet (e.g., smart building, smart factory), this will also be tested for security.
I once found a case at a logistics company in Jakarta, where their CCTV cameras connected to the office network had default passwords. This is like leaving the house key under the flower pot in front of the door! Very risky and often happens with IoT devices that are newly installed without the correct initial configuration.
- Applications and Websites: Your Business Window to the Outside World
- Web Application Security: The focus is on your website or web-based applications. Testers will try to find common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection (injecting malicious code into the database), cross-site scripting (XSS), or gaps in your API.
- Mobile Application Security: For your company’s Android or iOS applications, PenTest will test authentication mechanisms, how data is stored, and how the application communicates.
For SMEs in Indonesia who are increasingly selling online or have their own applications, this is crucial. Imagine if customer data or their transactions were leaked because the application was ‘leaking’? You could immediately lose trust and lose your livelihood.
- Human and Physical Factors: Often Forgotten But Most Dangerous!
- Social Engineering: This is the ‘art’ of manipulating people to obtain sensitive information. For example, testers can try phishing (fraudulent emails) to see how easily employees can be fooled into giving their passwords.
- Physical Security: Don’t underestimate it! Testers can also try to assess the physical security of facilities, such as access to the server room, or how easily strangers can enter restricted areas.
- ‘Cleaning’ and Compliance: More Than Just Testing
- Configuration and Patch Management: Ensuring that all your software and hardware have been configured correctly and that all the latest security ‘patches’ (patches) have been installed.
- Compliance Testing: Are your systems and processes in accordance with applicable security standards and regulations? For example, the PCI-DSS standard for credit card companies, or GDPR/PDP Laws if dealing with personal data.
- Incident Response: This is like a disaster simulation. Testers will simulate an attack to see how quickly and effectively your team can respond to and overcome the threat.
PenTest significantly reduces the risk of security incidents from many case studies and industry reports from institutions such as BSSN or CERT-ID, which show a direct correlation between PenTest and a decrease in the number of incidents.
PenTest Stages: ‘Cyber Detective Operation’ Ala Warteknet
Similar to a detective operation, PenTest also has stages, you know:
- Planning and Reconnaissance: This initial stage is to gather as much information as possible about the target. Similar to a detective who finds out who the target is, what their habits are, and where they live.
- Scanning: After the information is collected, the tester will ‘scan’ the system to look for weak points that are visible from the outside.
- Gaining Access: Well, this is the fun part! Testers will try to exploit the vulnerabilities found to gain access to the system. Like trying to unlock a broken door lock.
- Maintaining Access: If they have managed to get in, the tester will try to see how long they can last inside without being detected. This is to assess how quickly the system can detect intruders.
- Analysis and Reporting: After all simulations are complete, the tester will analyze all the findings and create a detailed report on the vulnerabilities found, how to exploit them, and recommendations for improvement. This report is pure gold for your IT team!
How Often Should You Do PenTest? For Maximum Safety!
The frequency of PenTest is flexible, depending on the industry, company size, and how dynamic your IT infrastructure is. But, this is a general guideline from Warteknet:
- Periodically:
- Annually: At least once a year is mandatory for many organizations.
- Semi-Annually: For companies whose industry is highly regulated (e.g., finance, health) or that have frequently changing IT systems, PenTest twice a year is more recommended.
- After Significant Changes:
- Whenever there are major updates to the system, installation of new software, changes to network architecture, or migration to the cloud. Changes often open up new gaps.
- When there are fundamental changes to security policies.
- When New Threats Appear:
- When there is a new cyber vulnerability that is causing a stir and potentially attacking your system (e.g., gaps in the software you use).
- After a security incident or successful attack. Re-PenTest is important to ensure that all gaps have been closed and no ‘back doors’ are left behind.
- Regulations and Compliance:
- Some industries have strict regulations that require periodic PenTest for compliance audits.
Practical Frequency Recommendations for Businesses in Indonesia:
- Small to medium-sized companies (SMEs): At least once a year. If there are major changes to the website or online transaction system, immediately do PenTest again.
- Large or highly regulated companies (Banks, Fintech, Hospitals): At least twice a year, or more often as required by regulations.
- Technology Startups: Every time there is a major release (major release) of a new product or feature, it is highly recommended to conduct a PenTest to ensure security from the start.
Closing: Don’t Wait for a Leak to Regret!
Conducting Penetration Testing regularly is not just about following trends, but a vital investment for the future of your business. This is a proactive step that helps you stay one step ahead of cyber attackers, protect digital assets, maintain customer trust, and ensure operational continuity. Don’t let it ‘leak’ first before panicking!
AUTHOR: Warteknet – Cyber Security Practitioner and Experienced IT Analyst.
