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Why application security is more important now than ever
As the founder of Cyberplan, I (Kristof Van Stappen) work closely with our team of experts to ensure that companies are well protected against the ever-increasing threat of cyber attacks. On a daily basis, I see the critical role that application pentesting plays in optimizing the security of our customers. This blog offers insights into why we at Cyberplan believe so strongly in the importance of pentesting and how it helps companies protect themselves from potential data breaches.
Why application pentesting Is indispensable
Many companies take their security seriously, but often it only really becomes clear how vulnerable an application is after a thorough pen test.
Kristof: "Security is not only a matter of technology, but also of insight. A pen test gives you that necessary insight into where your application is really vulnerable."
A recent example underscored this perfectly. A customer, convinced that their application was properly secured, decided to have a pen test performed. The result? Multiple critical vulnerabilities that needed to be addressed quickly. This highlights the importance of regularly testing your application, even if you think everything is fine.
The three steps of a successful pen test
At Cyberplan, we have developed a proven method for conducting pen tests that consists of three crucial steps:
- Gathering information: This first step is essential to understand the specifics and potential weaknesses of the application. No two applications are the same, and therefore it is important to gather the right information from the beginning.
Alexander Mol: "For example, if you discover that the database is written in NOSQL, there is no need to try to inject SQL to gain unauthorized access."
- Detecting vulnerabilities: This is where the real work begins. Our pentesters use a combination of advanced tools and manual techniques to identify application weaknesses.
- Exploit vulnerabilities: This is the step where the rubber hits the road. Exploiting the vulnerabilities found gives a realistic picture of the risks a company may face. This step is essential to prioritize and take immediate action.
Mathias De Weerdt: "If you discover that the application is vulnerable to command injection, you can use an exploit to execute system commands with the same permissions as the vulnerable application, which can give complete control over the server."
The consequences of inaction
One of the biggest risks I see is that after a pen test, companies may be aware of their vulnerabilities, but then wait to take action.
Kristof: "The real work starts only after the vulnerabilities are identified. Fixing them is where the real value lies."
By acting quickly and effectively on the findings of a pen test, companies can not only secure their applications, but also protect their reputation and maintain the trust of their customers.
A case study
Let's take an example from one of our customers, a company in the financial sector that relies on a complex application used by thousands of customers. Although they had already invested in internal security measures, they wanted to make sure their application was completely secure.
The pen test revealed several critical vulnerabilities, including a dangerous SQL injection capability and weaknesses in their user authentication. Our findings allowed them to take quick action, such as strengthening their password policy and implementing 2-factor authentication. This not only improved the security of their application, but also increased their customers' trust.
Conclusion: security as a priority
At Cyberplan, we believe that security should not be an afterthought, but a core component of any application. Application pentesting provides an invaluable opportunity to identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited. By conducting regular pen tests and taking quick action on the findings, companies can not only secure their applications, but also protect their reputation and strengthen their customers' trust.
I recommend that all software companies take application security seriously and invest in thorough pen testing. It's an investment in your company's future.
