Meeting Compliance Standards Through Effective Penetration Testing

Were you aware that the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) can stipulate a penalty up to 20 million Euros or 4% of the global turnover for severe infractions of data security?

Companies adhere to dynamic regulatory frameworks while operating their functional activities in the contemporary business landscape. Here, data security and privacy considerations are at the forefront, prompting the requirement of compliance, especially when it comes to hiring pen testers for the QA of web applications. In parallel to governmental oversight, regulatory authorities, and associations of industries have formulated some laws, standards, and regulations that demand adherence from companies. 

Out of these laws framed by the government, many legislations impose financial penalties for inadequately safeguarding data against cyber threats. As a result of which, companies are compelled to assess their security postures rigorously. 

Cybersecurity compliances are frequently re-structured to impose accountability on companies for their security protocols. All business entities must meet the compliance requirements outlined in legislation such as GDPR and HIPAA, adhere to standards like ISO 27001 and SOC 1 & 2, and conform to industry-specific regulations such as PCI DSS. 

Common Standards and Regulations in Penetration Testing 

The prevalent standards and regulations for penetration testing services are given below:

PCI DDS Compliance

PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, established collaboratively by major credit card entities to combat fraud. It is a crucial compliance, where pen testing is a key to assessing security in card-processing systems. It is considered the most reliable method for data privacy purposes, and it is mandatory for merchants handling credit card data to secure online transactions and prevent recognized theft.  

Moreover, the Security Standards Council offers comprehensive guidance on PCI DSS penetration testing, distinguishing it from vulnerability assessments and specifying targeted components, viz. external network security, internal network security, and other apps.   

SOC 2 Compliance 

There are two types of primary SOC standards exist:

• SOC 1
• SOC 2

SOC 1 concentrates on internal financial controls, and SOC 2 helps companies showcase their security controls for cloud-stored data. 

Coming forward to SOC 2, there are mainly two controls for penetration testing:

• Under CC4.1, pen testing is acknowledged as a form of security evaluation alongside others. 
• Under CC7.1, companies have to employ detection and monitoring for the latest security vulnerabilities and changes in configuration. During compliance assessments, auditors may request a penetration test report from the computer system to evaluate adherence to the standard. 

ISO 27001 Compliance 

ISO 27001 is a broadly embraced standard for securing assets in business partnerships, providing a comprehensive framework with 114 controls. It applies to every company to formalize information security privacy and protect information assets. Additionally, ISO 27001 mandates penetration testing as a part of the risk management process that ensures the effectiveness of security controls and renewals of compliance to hold on to current threats and vulnerabilities, ultimately allowing the integration of new safety features.   

HIPAA Compliance 

HIPAA stands for Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, ensuring national standards for safeguarding patients’ sensitive information. It parallels GDPR in not explicitly addressing penetration testing. As per HIPAA § 164.308(a)(8), covered entities are obligated to conduct a technical evaluation to assess the security of patient health information (PHI). 

GDPR Compliance 

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, a legal framework by the EU that protects citizens’ data. It ensures privacy control and verifies data processing system security. Pen testing is crucial for the companies serving EU citizens to proactively recognize the vulnerabilities and provide practical solutions to meet GDPR requisites. 

CMMC Compliance 

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is called CMMC and is governed by the United States Department of Defense. It aims to standardize cyber security measures in the defense industrial base. It outlines five security levels, and all DoD contractors and sub-contractors were mandated to attain level 1 certification. 

Also Read:

• Effective Strategies for Combining Manual and Automated Penetration Testing
• Real-World Examples of Penetration Testing Success Stories

The Wrap Up

Companies, swirled by compliance, must include penetration testing as a crucial element in cyber security systems. They can streamline security testing amidst evolving regulations to reign over the world. Pen tests are essential to safeguard vital assets, preventing financial losses and disruptions. Beyond compliance support, customer protection is the primary goal of fortifying enterprises. 

TFT, an exclusive penetration testing service provider, offers a robust cyber security evaluation for your product at the lowest price. Schedule a security assessment today for efficient and concrete work. Hurry up! Associate with our penetration testers now!

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