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Multiple Microsoft Products Vulnerabilities
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Choosing the Right VAPT Provider: A Guide for CISOs and Security Leaders
August 8, 2024
Multiple Microsoft Products Vulnerabilities
August 8, 2024
Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) tools are indispensable to a cyber security provider’s arsenal for fortifying defenses for businesses. Through VAPT assessments, organizations have invaluable insights into their security postures. The two exercises, Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing, work synergistically to yield powerful insights about where an organization can improve their security posture. VAPT reports allow them to identify weaknesses and, through simulations, experience whether they would be able to repel real-world attacks.
Vulnerability Assessments, the first part of the security service, offer crucial glimpses into IT network weak spots. During this part of the service, a company’s systems, networks, and applications are scanned to detect potential security flaws. This proactive approach ensures that vulnerabilities are detected before malicious actors can exploit them.
Penetration Testing then deepens the assessment by simulating real-world cyberattacks. “Ethical hackers,” also known as penetration testers, are trained to exploit weaknesses identified during the vulnerability assessment, providing a realistic view of how an attacker might breach a company’s system. This hands-on approach validates the severity of vulnerabilities and tests the effectiveness of existing security measures.
VAPT testing has the dual effect of allowing organizations to amend weaknesses proactively, as well as highlighting the remediation efforts that should be focused on. By addressing these issues promptly, organizations can prevent breaches that could lead to significant financial and reputational damage.
VAPT testing has proven to be crucial for many organizations across various industries. Real-world examples highlight how these assessments have helped organizations enhance their cybersecurity posture, prevent breaches, and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
- Yahoo Data Breach Prevention:
In 2016, Yahoo announced a data breach that compromised over a billion user accounts. After the attack was mitigated, Yahoo invested heavily in VAPT to identify vulnerabilities and prevent further breaches. These assessments helped Yahoo enhance their security infrastructure, close critical gaps, and restore user trust by reassuring them that their data was better protected.
- Tesco Bank Attack Mitigation:
Tesco Personal Finance Plc. (Tesco Bank) also suffered a cyber attack in 2016 that led to the theft of £2.5 million from customer accounts. In October 2018, The UK Financial Conduct Authority fined the financial institution GBP 16.4 million for failing to protect against and adequately respond to the cyber attack. Following the attack, the bank conducted extensive VAPT assessments to identify the root causes of the breach. These assessments revealed weaknesses in their online banking systems and led to them improving their cybersecurity measures. Hence, Tesco Bank was able to implement stronger security protocols and avoid similar incidents in the future.
- Equifax Data Breach Response:
The 2017 Equifax breach exposed sensitive information of 147 million people. Post-incident, the American credit bureau used comprehensive VAPT tools to understand how the breach occurred and to prevent future vulnerabilities. The assessments identified critical flaws in their web applications, which were then corrected to prevent exploitation. By showing that they now take a proactive approach to cybersecurity through regular VAPT testing, Equifax’s strategy to rebuild its cybersecurity framework and regain customer trust has worked.
- Maersk Cyberattack Recovery:
In 2017, shipping giant Maersk was targeted by the NotPetya ransomware, creating major operational disruptions. Post-attack, Maersk conducted extensive VAPT assessments to identify vulnerabilities in their network and improve their defenses against future threats. These assessments were critical in helping Maersk rebuild their IT infrastructure, ensuring better protection against similar cyber threats.
The Tesco Bank episode indicates how cybersecurity failures can expose a business not only to increasingly stringent penalties under policies such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), but also to regulatory enforcement penalties where systems are not in place or are not operated effectively in a crisis. Incidents like the ones cited above highlight the critical importance of establishing cybersecurity and data protection compliance firmly on the management and risk agenda. They also illustrate the need to establish appropriate crisis management procedures and providing training to staff on how to use them. This can be achieved through desktop exercises that provide scenario planning training. An in-depth VAPT report is the first step to mapping out these crucial measures that will ultimately create a cyber resilient company.
These examples demonstrate the pivotal role of VAPT assessments in helping organizations identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, prevent cyberattacks, and maintain regulatory compliance. Knowing that their systems are rigorously tested and fortified against potential threats allows business leaders to focus on growth and innovation, rather than being preoccupied with cyber threats. Ultimately, VAPT assessments offer the peace of mind that comes from knowing an organization is well-protected in an increasingly unstable digital landscape.
Curious about how VAPT testing can enhance your business and reputation? Contact a Rewterz expert today.