
Mitigating IT Security Risks with Penetration Tests
By TraceSecurity
July 2022
Penetration testing is much more than a necessary process to satisfy compliance obligations: it is a critical first step in the information and network security lifecycle and an important component of a full IT Security Compliance program. The purpose of a penetration test is to emulate real-world scenarios a hacker may use to determine (1) the feasibility of an attack, (2) where vulnerabilities may exist, and (3) the impact a successful exploit would create to the organization. Penetration testing can offer an invaluable means to establish a baseline assessment of an organization’s security posture as it appears from both inside and outside the network boundaries.
In this paper, we will explore the following:
- What is a penetration test?
- Where does a penetration test fall short?
- Reasons to perform a penetration test
- Penetration tests vs. vulnerability assessments
- Who should perform your penetration tests?
About TraceSecurity
TraceSecurity has provided over 30,000 examiner approved reports, helping credit unions of all sizes maintain compliance year after year. A CUNA Strategic Services provider since 2006, TraceSecurity helps credit unions with a range of cybersecurity services, including risk assessments, penetration testing and IT audits. With a combination of software and services, TraceSecurity can help credit unions manage their information security program and supplement it with third-party validation.