Though penetration testing is often thought of as a pure security measure, it can also be used to ensure compliance with specific regulations. This post will examine how penetration testing can verify compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). We’ll also discuss some of the critical components of PCI DSS and HIPAA and explain how penetration testing can help organizations meet these requirements.
Penetration testing Compliance explained.
Compliance is critical to any business, and ensuring that your systems are secure from unauthorized access is essential. Your customers trust you to keep their data safe, and failing to do so can result in costly fines and even jail time for company executives.
That’s why penetration testing has become such an essential part of the compliance process; by identifying vulnerabilities in your system before they can be exploited, you can mitigate and effectively manage security risk of a breach and protect your customers’ data.
What Is a penetration test?
Penetration testing (or “pen testing”) attacks a computer system or network to identify security risks and weaknesses.
Pen testing aims to simulate real-world attacks on your systems to find and fix vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them. Pen testers use various methods to break into systems, including Scanning networks for open ports, Exploiting known vulnerabilities, Brute force attacks, Social engineering tactics, etc.
How does it work?
Once a vulnerability has been identified, the pen tester will exploit it using tools or techniques available. This may include manual methods such as using a keyboard shortcut to gain administrator privileges or exploiting software flaws using specially crafted attack code. Many times, however, attackers will use automated tools called “exploits” that take advantage of well-known information security management systems holes in popular applications like Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Once mandatory and advisory controls over the target system have been gained, the attacker can begin extracting sensitive data or installing malicious software explicitly designed to steal passwords or financial information.
What to expect when you hire a pen tester
When hiring a pen tester, one thing to remember is that not all tests are created equal. Some pen testers specialize exclusively in black hat hacking techniques, while others focus on finding vulnerabilities through social engineering methods like phishing scams and pretexting calls. Please make sure you ask potential testers and relevant digital service providers about their areas of expertise so you can be sure they will be able to test your specific systems adequately.
Also, ask about their experience conducting penetration tests against similar targets; if they have no experience with your particular industry vertical, their results may not be beneficial to secure mission-critical assets. Finally, always ensure any pen-tester you hire is appropriately licensed and insured; if something goes wrong during the test, you don’t want to be held liable.
The five sectors that require compliance with the general data protection regulation regulations
Medical device manufacturing
Networked medical gadgets that function in the Internet of Things, usually called “the IoT,” can preserve healthcare professionals’ time, effort, and money. These tools aid patients in numerous ways, from monitoring vital signs all day long while you’re at work or taking care of them during sleep hours.
Track your child’s movements via GPS coordinates stored on their bracelet 24/7 without having any personal information like names, SSN#, etc. They are remotely dispensing medicine when someone needs it most easily by simply pressing one button on their phone and connecting medical professionals with the right specialists in seconds via telemedicine.
Healthcare providers must take the necessary steps to ensure their networked medical devices are secure. This includes regularly updating software and firmware, implementing strong password protection, and only connecting devices to secure networks. But there are also potential risks to consider, as we’ve seen with recent high-profile hacking incidents where criminals gained access to devices and demanded ransom.
We can improve efficiency and patient care by harnessing the power of the IoT in healthcare, but only if we apply detection and monitoring procedures and prioritize security controls. So let’s work together to keep our networked medical devices protected.
Healthcare delivery
HIPAA is a law that was created in 1996 to protect the privacy of medical records. It prevents your physician from communicating details about you with others and dictates how healthcare institutions store sensitive data like temperatures or blood pressure readings, usually on servers outside our country’s borders where hackers can acquire entry from anywhere around the world.
The HIPAA evaluation standard speaks explicitly to the security, privacy, and electronic interaction of medical information. Its penetration testing conditions permit technical evaluations through white hat hacking when considered suitable and appropriate by healthcare providers who encounter penalties varying from $100-$50k per document compromised, no matter how small or large an organization might be.
Payment card industry
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) helps to ensure the safety and security of institutions that operate branded credit cards, including Visa, American Express, Mastercard, and Discover. One requirement is routine network monitoring, but it also requires penetration testing for your company to maintain compliance with this standard every six months at least.
Penetrate Test Completion Frequency Is recommended by experts as well so you can get caught up on any potential vulnerabilities within our system and make sure that no unauthorized access is possible.
Technology service
The American Institute of CPAs created SOC 2 to ensure that technology benefit organization and upholds its five standards: availability, security, processing, confidentiality, and integrity.
This flexible set of controls and technical and organizational measures allows each organization to determine its controls and gain certification by passing external and internal audit assessments. That includes penetration testing at least once every six months for deployers who want more assurance about the effectiveness and remaining risk within their environment due diligence process.
The AICPA created this specification to protect against cybercrime while also maintaining data accessibility during emergencies like natural disasters or power outages when clients may need information quickest possible time frame.
But wait, what is SOC 2 exactly? It’s a report that assesses how well an organization manages its customer data and systems. The information also includes recommendations for improvement, allowing organizations to make changes and ensure they meet the highest security and reliability standards.
SOC 2 compliance is not mandatory, but it’s becoming increasingly important for companies that handle sensitive information or work with larger clients who require proof of security measures.
So why should you care about SOC 2 as a consumer or business owner? First, it provides peace of mind that your information is protected. But beyond that, achieving this certification demonstrates a commitment to upholding industry best practices and maintaining customer trust. In other words, it’s just good business.
Financial industry
FINRA is a nonprofit organization that helps financial firms fulfill The Securities Exchange Act by requiring companies to maintain electronically held documents in an unerasable, non-rewriteable format.
They do this through their robust penetration testing schedule, which has consistently voted with third-party cybersecurity agents on best practices for risk-based evaluation and decision-making regarding vulnerabilities or security measures taken within your firm’s network infrastructure.
This input was just one of the many ways FINRA plays a role in protecting and securing our financial industry. However, they also provide resources such as educational material and a comprehensive system for reporting and resolving customer complaints.
FINRA aims to protect investors by keeping the financial industry fair, efficient, and transparent. As a financial professional, it’s crucial to stay up to date on FINRA regulations and guidelines to maintain compliance with the organization and protect your clients.
Conclusion
Penetration testing is a process that should be done regularly to ensure compliance with regulations and safeguard your data.
Our team can help you get set up with a penetration testing plan that meets your specific needs, and we’ll work with you to ensure the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Contact us today to learn more about our services, or take a closer look at our website to see how we can help you meet your business goals.
