Compliance Penetration Testing

To achieve "Forward Defense," it's essential to prioritize compliance along the way. CIBERON's Compliance Penetration Testing fulfils the security assessment requirements specified by various regulatory frameworks. By utilizing our services, you can confidently engage with auditors while uncovering potential risks and gaining valuable insights to navigate the ever-changing threat landscape effectively.

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What is a PCI penetration test?

Wikipedia defines PCI DSS as ‘The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard ‘ is an information security standard for organisations that handle branded credit cards from the major card schemes. The PCI Council (PCI SSC) drives this initiative of data security standards across payments.

Regular PCI penetration testing is required as key control to protect CDE systems and data. PCI DSS compliance state the PCI DSS requirements:

Why do you need penetration testing compliance?

Finding and fixing the vulnerabilities utilizing penetration testing compliance not only just builds a secure business but also greater trust among the customers.

Identifying the latest security services and trends is imperative for sustainable business continuity, rather than sticking to primitive methods. Penetration testing is critical in cybersecurity because it identifies ways an intruder could exploit the systems of an organization to obtain access to sensitive information.

With variable attack techniques, frequent mandatory testing ensures that firms are able to identify and fix security flaws before bad actors exploit them. These tests are also useful for auditors since they check the existence and the safety of other crucial security measures.

The Role of Penetration Testing in Compliance

Penetration testing plays a crucial role in helping organizations meet compliance requirements. Here’s how:

1. Identifying Security Weaknesses :

One of the primary benefits of penetration testing is its ability to identify security vulnerabilities. Many compliance regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), require organisations to protect sensitive data. Penetration testing helps businesses uncover weak points in their security infrastructure, ensuring they meet these requirements.

2. Demonstrating Due Diligence :

Compliance regulations often require organisations to demonstrate that they have taken proactive steps to protect their data. Penetration testing provides tangible evidence of due diligence. By regularly conducting penetration tests, businesses can show regulators that they are committed to maintaining a secure environment.

3. Ensuring Continuous Improvement :

Penetration testing is not a one-time activity. To stay compliant, businesses must regularly test and update their security measures. Regular penetration testing helps organisations identify new vulnerabilities as they arise, ensuring continuous improvement in their security posture. This ongoing process is critical for meeting the ever-evolving compliance requirements.

4. Reducing the Risk of Data Breaches

Data breaches can have devastating consequences, both financially and legally. Many compliance regulations, such as HIPAA and GDPR, impose hefty fines on organisations that fail to protect personal data. Penetration testing helps reduce the risk of data breaches by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Phases of Penetration Testing Compliance

1. IDENTIFY COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

Regulator

Framework

Frequency

Scope

2. PENETRATION TESTING

External

Internal

Cloud

and/or Application

3. REPORT AND REMEDIATE

Assessment Report

Letter of Assessment (required)

Remediation Testing

Essentially

For Reports of Compliance (ROCs) and some Self-assessment questionnaires (SAQs), frequent PCI penetration testing must be performed at least annually or after any significant infrastructure changes (application upgrade, new installations such as a firewall or web server added, change in system state, significant infrastructure refresh.), whichever is sooner.

For service providers, it is recommended to perform penetration tests every six months.

Penetration Testing Requirements Covered by CIBERON

PCI DSS

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requires penetration testing at least annually and upon any significant environment changes. This can include external and internal network testing, cloud testing. or application testing approaches depending on architecture. Requirements state penetration testing should be performed.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates that security measures are in place for protected health information (PHI) data. Depending on network architecture, regular network, cloud, and application penetration testing are critical for evaluating how an organization adheres to the strict privacy, security, and breach notification rules of HIPAA.

SOC2

SOC 2 is a common security framework that specifies how organizations should protect customer data. Though technically not a requirement to pass a SOC 2 audit, Penetration testing is at common step towards achieving SOC 2 compliance, as it touches on many of the trust service principal that the evaluation is based on.

ISO 27001

ISO 27001 covers the management of information security risks, policies, objectives, roles, responsibilities, and more. This standard mandates management of technical vulnerabilities and system security testing to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in information security systems, which can be satisfied by network, cloud, and application penetration testing.

GDPR

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an EU regulation that concerns data protection and privacy for EU citizens. Article 32 of the GDPR requires organizations to have a process for regularly assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of data security measures. Regular network, cloud, and/or application penetration testing satisfies this requirement.

NIST

Many organizations voluntarily leverage the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) as an anchor to their security program. Regular network, cloud, and/or application penetration testing are extremely useful in strategically contributing to the five core NIST functions of identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover.

OWASP

The Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) is one of the preeminent non-profit resources in the domain of software security. The OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS) and the OWASP Top Ten are commonly used standards that customers desire and Bishop Fox can execute on during application and/or cloud penetration testing services.

CREST

CREST is an international, not-for-profit, membership body representing the cybersecurity industry. It requires members to undergo a rigorous accreditation that holds operating standards, personnel, testing approaches, and data security to the highest standard. Bishop Fox is a CREST-accredited service provider.

EXPLORE OUR SERVICES

CIBERON Services for Compliance

Network Penetration Testing

External and internal penetration testing services to satisfy compliance requirements for data that exists in on- premise environments.

Cloud Penetration Testing

Cloud security testing services to satisfy compliance requirements for data hosted in AWS, Azure, GCP, and Kubernetes.

Application Penetration Testing

Application security testing services to satisfy compliance requirements for data hosted and processed by web applications.

Continuous Testing

Out-pace modern attackers and swiftly remediate your exposures while addressing common penetration testing and vulnerability management compliance requirements.

Cloud Application Security Assessment (CASA)

Bishop Fox is an App Defense Alliance (ADA) authorized assessor. Test your applications and ensure the security of user data while receiving your CASA letter of assessment.

PCI Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV)

Bishop Fox is a PCI DSS approved scanning vendor (ASV). Satisfy your PCI 11.2.2 quarterly external vulnerability scanning requirements with confidence.

Best Practices for PCI DSS Penetration Testing

PCI Testing involves multiple checks

Unsafe system and network
configurations
Lack of network
segmentation controls
Insecure coding vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)
Encryption flaws
Authentication and authorization flaws

Benefits of PCI testing & vulnerability analysis

Protecting Cardholder Data Environment (CDE):

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) aims to protect cardholder data by implementing security measures for merchants and service providers that handle credit card information. PCI segmentation testing minimizes insider threats by isolating critical data and systems, ensuring unauthorized users cannot access sensitive information.

Demonstrating Commitment to Data Security:

Regular PCI penetration tests show dedication to protecting clients and the supply chain, reducing the risk of financial penalties from data breaches. Qualified penetration testers with industry certifications, such as OSCP and CEH, conduct these assessments, and organizations undergo compliance checks by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) to maintain PCI standards.

Identifying Insecure Configurations:

PCI testing uncovers insecure configurations in external and internal systems. Vulnerability scans alone may miss obvious misconfigurations, such as weak passwords or lack of two-factor authentication. PCI tests provide recommendations for securing both internal and external systems.

Securing Against Web Application Vulnerabilities:

PCI standards address web application vulnerabilities, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and authentication issues. Our assessments follow industry standards like OWASP Top 10, SANS CWE Top 25, and CERT Secure Coding to protect against application layer risks.

Maintaining Compliance and Proactive Security:

PCI DSS requires regular testing of security controls to protect payment card data. A proactive cybersecurity approach includes firewall checks, antivirus, intrusion detection, vulnerability scans, and manual assessments to prevent cyber threats.

PCI pen testing procedures

PCI penetration test is performed across the cardholder data environment (CDE) to identify security vulnerabilities in line with PCI DSS requirements. It is targeted on the internal systems that store. process or transmit card data, public-facing devices and systems and databases.

External PCI penetration tests are performed on the internet-facing systems. This is not like external vulnerability scans that involve running vulnerability scanners (wholly automated) and analysing issues for false positive removals. Comparatively, penetration tests are resource intensive and in-depth and provide effective input to your risk management process.

In PCI penetration tests, this is a controlled form of OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) or an ethical hacking or exercise with the following objectives:

Assess the access security and segmentation controls in line with PCI DSS compliance requirements

Determine whether a threat actor could gain unauthorised access to CDE systems that store, process or transmit payment data

Goals of PCI DSS Compliance :

01. Build and maintain a secure network
02. Protect cardholder data
03. Maintain a Vulnerability management program
04. Implement strong access control measures
05. Regularly monitor and test networks
06. Maintain an Information Security policy

PCI DSS Pentest Services

Based on the PCI DSS scope of assets within CDE, penetration testing performed on any of the following types of services can be aligned to PCI requirements. We also offer hospitals to ensure a secure health check service offering to their clients by adopting PCI in the healthcare segment and to maintain good security posture.

External penetration testing and tailored infrastructure or application security testing services are offered to providers, merchants, online retailers, and any systems including payment systems that may impact the security of the CDE to achieve compliance.

PCI Internal Penetration Testing

PCI pentest covers a broad scope – from simple one server review to multi-network estate wide active directory reviews including segmentation controls checks.

It involves internal infrastructure assets in scope containing cardholder data environment (CDE).

PCI Internal Testing

PCI Application Security Testing

Our team of Cybersecurity experts will test and perform PCI security assessments against apps and web services/APIs in the scope. Apart from network penetration testing, web application testing includes OWASP checks, critical software flaws and other business logic related issues. Web Application Pen Testing

Cloud Penetration Testing

Most organisations are migrating to cloud due to ease of use and 24 x 7 availability. As an end user of cloud-hosted solutions, you are responsible for ensuring that the security of any operating systems and applications hosted in the cloud are continuously maintained and tested. Cloud Pen Testing

Vulnerability Assessments

Vulnerability assessments provide insight into vulnerabilities affecting your internal and external networks. It helps to identify and quantify the potential risks threatening the PCI cardholder data environment while minimising internal costs. Vulnerability Assessments

PCI Application Security Testing

Ensuring the safety and security of user data is paramount to running any mobile applications. Our tailored penetration tests are designed to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities before it’s too late to limit the damage. Mobile App Testing

Cloud Penetration Testing

PCI DSS Network segmentation testing checks against fundamental concepts behind segmentation penetration testing include switch based VLAN security controls, internal firewalling and related layer 2 & network layer 3 access controls. PCI Network Testing

Experience & Certificate

Our multi-disciplined team holds a broad range of knowledge and skills and holds a number of certifications in order to demonstrate their capability and experience.

What Client’s Say About Us

"The VAPT process was seamless and highly detailed. CIBERON's team helped us identify and resolve security gaps effectively, ensuring our network is well-protected against threats."

Axon Detos

CEO

"CIBERON’s VAPT service gave us an in-depth understanding of our vulnerabilities. The expert recommendations enabled us to proactively address risks and enhance our cybersecurity strategy."

David Lee,

Head of IT Operations at GlobalSafe Inc.

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Axon Detos

CEO

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Jon Smith

Developer

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Alien Dew

Manager

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Alen Meair

Reviewer

What Client’s Say About Us

"The VAPT process was seamless and highly detailed. CIBERON's team helped us identify and resolve security gaps effectively, ensuring our network is well-protected against threats."

"CIBERON’s VAPT service gave us an in-depth understanding of our vulnerabilities. The expert recommendations enabled us to proactively address risks and enhance our cybersecurity strategy."

"The VAPT engagement with CIBERON was a game-changer. Their thorough approach revealed unseen vulnerabilities, allowing us to fortify our security measures efficiently."

"CiberX streamlined our vulnerability management process like never before. The platform’s intuitive design and real-time insights have transformed how we approach security."

"Using CiberX has been a turning point for our vulnerability management. Its automated workflows and advanced threat detection keep us steps ahead of potential threats."

"CiberX has revolutionized our vulnerability management, helping us detect and remediate issues with incredible efficiency. It's a must-have for proactive security teams."

Recent Articles

Discover insightful content on our CIBERON blog, where we share expert advice, industry trends, and best practices to strengthen your cybersecurity strategies. Stay informed with actionable insights tailored to help businesses stay secure in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Frequently asked questions about infrastructure pentesting

What does PCI stand for?

PCI stands for Payment Card Industry. PCI DSS is a proprietary information security standard for organisations that handle branded credit cards from major card schemes. The standard was created to increase controls around the payment card process and includes requirements for security management, policies, procedures, network architecture, software design and other critical protective measures.

How long does PCI scan take?

In a PCI compliance test, it depends on the number of devices being scanned and the configuration of your computer. A basic scan or PCI DSS pentest should take less than an hour, but a more comprehensive scan could take a day or more. PCI penetration testing cost is based on the size of the network, assets and complications such as VLANs.

Is pen testing required for PCI?

PCI compliance penetration testing is one of the many security measures that can be used to assess the security of an environment. PCI DSS requires performing penetration testing and vulnerability scanning on internal and external assets (internet-facing).

How do you test PCI DSS compliance?

Testing against external and internal systems or a wireless penetration test (any of the technical risk assessment), the assessment takes into account the scope for PCI DSS to identify vulnerabilities and provide mitigation advice. Based on the number of transactions and volume, PCI compliance has four levels for merchants and service providers. There are 9 different SAQs for merchants. To test in line with PCI DSS compliance, businesses must complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), which covers the 12 requirements of PCI DSS pen-testing (also known as PCI Pentests). The SAQ is accompanied by an Attestation of Compliance, which an authorised business representative must sign. Businesses can also use Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) for vulnerability scanning.

How often are PCI systems supposed to be scanned for viruses?

PCI systems, that store, process or transmit cardholder data, should be scanned for viruses by performing PCI DSS pentest at least once a quarter. In addition, the system should be checked for other malware and security issues every month.

What happens if I am not PCI compliant?

You may face fines, legal action, and reduced revenue if you do not perform a PCI compliance test. The PCI penetration testing guidance is a set of regulations developed by the PCI Council aimed at protecting payment card data. Any business that processes, stores, or transmits payment card data must comply with the PCI DSS. Failing to do so can result in heavy fines and other penalties.

PCI DSS Penetration Testing Services

Utilise our PCI compliance penetration testing services that offer great value, technical expertise and remediation plan. We guarantee no fuss around scheduling, retests, or report delays in a PCI test.

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