What is Sniffing Attack in System Hacking?

A sniffing attack in system hacking is a form of denial-of-service attack which is carried out by sniffing or capturing packets on the network, and then either sending them repeatedly to a victim machine or replaying them back to the sender with modifications. Sniffers are often used in system hacking as a tool for analyzing traffic patterns in a scenario where performing more intrusive and damaging attacks would not be desirable.

Sniffing Attack:

A sniffing attack can also be used in an attempt to recover a passphrase, such as when an SSH private key has been compromised. The sniffer captures SSH packets containing encrypted versions of the password being typed by the user at their terminal, which can then be cracked offline using brute force methods.

Read More: 312-75: EC-Council Certified Instructor (CEI)

◉ The term “sniffing” is defined in RFC 2301 as: “Any act of capturing network traffic and replaying it, usually for the purpose of espionage or sabotage.”

◉ This definition is not accurate for UNIX-based systems, since any traffic can be sniffed as long as either the attacker has access to network interfaces (NIC) or modifies packets that could not be altered in transit. Sniffing can be performed using a special program like tcpdump, tcpflow, or LanMon that is connected to a port over which the packets can be inspected remotely.

◉ Another sniffing attack called ARP spoofing involves sending forged Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) messages to the Ethernet data link layer. These messages are used to associate a victim machine’s IP address with a different MAC address, leading the targeted machine to send all its traffic intended for the victim through an attacker-controlled host.

◉ This is used to both hijack sessions and also cause flooding of the network via a denial-of-service attack (see Smurf attack).

Every IP packet contains, in addition to its payload, two fields: an IP header, and an Ethernet header encapsulating it. 

◉ The combination of these two headers is often referred to as a “packet” by those who work with internet communications. An attacker can, therefore, view and modify an IP packet’s IP header without having to see its payload. 

◉ The Ethernet header contains information about the destination MAC address (the hardware address of the recipient machine) and the Ether Type field contains a value indicating what type of service is requested (e.g., precedence or flow control).

◉ The Ether type could be “0xFFFF”, indicating that no service fields were included for the Ethernet frame. This was used in Cisco’s implementation prior to version 8.0.

Key Points:

There are a number of different methods that an attacker can use to perform ARP spoofing. They include:

◉ The attacker has access to the “ARP cache” on their infected machine, which also contains other machines’ MAC addresses, but who do not have or are not using the same IP addresses as other machines with the same MAC addresses in their ARP caches. 

◉ The attacker does not know what method the other machines use for keeping a table of MAC addresses, and so simply sets up a network with many duplicate entries.

◉ The attacker sends out forged ARP messages, trying to associate their infected machine with another machine’s MAC address.

Countermeasures: 

There are a number of ways that the attacker can be prevented from using these methods, including:

◉ ARP spoofing is not a very effective attack, except in networks that are poorly secured. 

◉ In order for an attacker to use this method as a form of masquerading, they must be able to send packets directly to the network (either through access to Wi-Fi or by finding a security flaw). Because of this, the attacker’s IP address is likely to become known very quickly.

◉ A sniffing attack is a form of attack where the attacker tries to access certain data over the network and sniffing is used as an essential task in capturing data. The term “sniffing” comes from the action of sniffing or smelling. The attacker gets hold of this information by using special software called “network analyzer”.

◉ Sniffing in Hacking:  it is considered to be an intrusion on your computer system without permission, without your knowledge, and without legal authorization. It’s called hacking, which can be performed by several methods.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

Continue reading

How Well Aligned Information Security Programs Help Business Grow

Information security is a top priority for businesses, but ensuring that information security aligns with business objectives can be a challenge. Many factors need to be considered when designing an information security strategy, such as the type of data being protected and the risks associated with its loss or unauthorized access. In order to ensure that information security aligns with business objectives, businesses need to take a holistic approach that considers all aspects of the organization. Here we’ll explore how information security can be aligned with business objectives and discuss some key considerations for doing so.

Why Information Security and Business Objectives Should Be in Sync

You don’t need to be a chief security officer to know that information security is crucial for businesses. But what many don’t realize is that aligning information security goals with business objectives can be hugely beneficial for an organization.

Read More: 712-50: EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

When it comes to protecting your data and systems, you need to have a plan in place that covers all the potential threats. These include everything from malicious attacks to accidental data breaches. But if your information security strategy isn’t aligned with your business objectives, you could be missing out on opportunities to improve your overall security posture.

Here are a few reasons why information security and business objectives should be in sync:

1. Improves Security Posture

If you want to reduce the risk of a data breach or other security incident, you must take a holistic approach to information security. This means looking at all the potential threats and vulnerabilities and then implementing controls that mitigate those risks.

However, if your information security strategy isn’t aligned with your business objectives, you could be missing out on opportunities to improve your overall security posture. For example, you might implement a security control that doesn’t address a key vulnerability or fail to deploy a critical security update because it doesn’t fit with the organization’s business goals (Scalzo, C., 2018).

2. Plays a Key Role in Strategic Planning 

Information security is a critical part of any business, and you should include it in your overall strategic planning. However, many organizations fail to take information security into account when they’re developing their business plans. This can lead to problems down the road, such as a lack of response plans in the event of a data breach or other security incident.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you avoid these problems and ensure that information security is given the attention it deserves. Including information security in your strategic planning will allow you to develop effective response plans and make sure that all stakeholders are aware of their roles and responsibilities in the event of a security incident (BizzSecure, 2020).

3. Establishes a Security-Focused Company Culture

Organizations are made up of different departments, each with its own objectives and goals. However, if there’s a disconnect between the information security team and the rest of the organization, it can lead to problems. For example, the marketing department might launch a new campaign without involving the security team, which could result in sensitive data being exposed.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you ensure that all departments are working together towards a common goal. In addition, establishing a security-focused company culture can help everyone in the organization understand the importance of information security and their role in protecting the company’s data.

4. Helps Mitigate Risks at Touch Points

One of the most important aspects of information security management is protecting your data from unauthorized access. There are many ways that attackers can gain access to your data, and having controls in place can mitigate these risks. For example, you might implement a password policy or use two-factor authentication to make it more difficult for attackers to gain access to your systems.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you ensure that you’re taking all the necessary steps to protect your data. This includes identifying all the potential risks and implementing controls that will mitigate those risks.

In addition, you can avoid these problems and improve your overall security posture. Implementing an effective information security strategy can help you protect your data, attract and retain customers, and improve your bottom line. 

Source: eccouncil.org

Continue reading

AWS, GCP and Azure: Top 3 Cloud Service Providers in 2023

There’s a lot of talk these days about which public cloud platform is best for an organization. But what many people don’t realize is that when it comes to cloud security, there isn’t necessarily a clear winner. Each of the big three providers—AWS, Azure, and GCP—has its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. So how do you decide which platform is right for your business?

This article compares and contrasts the security features offered by each provider so you can make an informed decision about which platform is right for you. We will also go through how to choose the best cloud security certification that will further your career as a certified cloud security professional.

Each Player’s Market Share and Their USPs When It Comes to Security

AWS, GCP, and Azure are the three biggest cloud service providers in the world. All three offer a variety of security features to their customers, but there are some key differences between them.

AWS

◉ AWS is the market leader in cloud services, with a 37% market share (Holori, 2021).

◉ Its main USP related to security is the comprehensive suite of security features, which include data encryption, DDoS protection, and identity and access management (IAM).

◉ It also has a strong focus on compliance, with over 90 compliance certifications.

Azure

◉ Azure is the second largest cloud provider, with a 23% market share (Holori, 2021).

◉ Its main USP in terms of security is the robust identity management system, which includes multi-factor authentication and single sign-on.

◉ It also has a number of compliance certifications, including ISO 27001 and HIPAA.

GCP

◉ GCP is the third largest cloud provider, with a 9% market share (Holori, 2021).

◉ Its main USP when it comes to security is its tight integration with Google’s other products, which makes it easy to deploy a comprehensive security solution.

◉ It also offers several unique security features, such as per-user activity monitoring and customer-managed encryption keys.

Biggest Data Breaches in the Past 5 Years

Data breaches are becoming more and more common, with large companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft being affected in recent years. Here is a look at some of the biggest data breaches that have happened at these three companies in the past five years.

1. Amazon: In 2019, Amazon had a data breach that affected over 100 million customers. This breach exposed customer names, email addresses and phone numbers. Amazon did not disclose how the breach occurred, but it is believed that hackers were able to gain access to Amazon’s systems through a third-party vendor (TechCrunch, 2022).

2. Google: In 2016, Google was hit by a data breach that affected over 1 million customers. This breach exposed customer names, email addresses, birthdates and gender information. Google blamed the breach on a “bug” in its system that allowed hackers to gain access to its systems (Check Point Software, 2016).

3. Microsoft: In 2019, Microsoft had a data breach that affected over 250 million customers. This breach exposed customer names, email addresses and password hashes. Microsoft blamed the breach on a “misconfiguration” in its system that allowed hackers to gain access to its systems (LifeLock Norton, 2022).

These are just a few of the many data breaches that have happened at large companies in recent years. Data breaches can have a major impact on customers, so it’s important for companies to take steps to protect their data.

Security Is a Shared Responsibility

It’s a common misconception that security is solely the responsibility of the IT department. In reality, security is a shared responsibility between IT and the employees of an organization. Both groups need to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to mitigate them.

As more and more businesses move to the cloud, the need for qualified cloud security professionals has never been greater. The EC-Council Certified Cloud Security Engineer (C|CSE) credential is designed to help IT professionals who want to specialize in securing cloud environments. The C|CSE trains cybersecurity professionals interested to learn about all the platforms along with cloud neutral concepts.

The C|CSE credential covers cloud security topics for all of the top three cloud providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). In addition, the C|CSE covers key security concepts such as risk management, identity and access management, data encryption and incident response.

Source: eccouncil.org

Continue reading

What are the steps to incident management?

Incident Management restores normal service operation while minimizing impact to business operations and maintaining quality.

An incident, by definition, is an occurrence that can disrupt or cause a loss of operations, services, or functions. Incident management describes the necessary actions taken by an organization to analyze, identify, and correct problems while taking actions that can prevent future incidents.

What are the steps to incident management?

Incident logging

An incident is identified and recorded in user reports and using solution analyses—once identified, the incident is logged and categorized. This is important for how future incidents can be handled and for prioritization of incidents.

Notification & escalation

The timing of this step may vary from incident to incident depending on the categorization of the incident. Smaller incidents may also be logged and acknowledged without triggering an official alert. Escalation occurs when an incident triggers an alert, and the proper procedures are performed by the individual who is assigned to manage the alert.

Incident classification

Incidents need to be classified into the proper category and subcategory in order to be easily identified and addressed. Typically, classification happens automatically when the right fields are set up for classification, prioritization is assigned based on the classification, and reports are quickly generated.

Incident prioritization

The proper priority can have a direct impact on the SLA of an incident response, ensuring that business-critical issues are addressed on time and neither customers nor employees experience any lapse in service.

Investigation and diagnosis

The IT team performs an analysis and provides a solution to the employee once an incident is raised. If a resolution is not immediately available, the incident is escalated to the proper teams for further investigation and diagnosis of the incident.

Incident resolution and closure

An IT team is meant to resolve incidents using the proper prioritization methods as quickly as possible. Communication can help with the resolution and closure of tickets, with the possibility of automation to help resolving tickets. Once an incident is resolved, there is further logging and understanding of how to prevent the incident from occurring again or decrease the time to resolution.

Source: servicenow.com

Continue reading

Top 10 Highest Paying IT Certifications For 2022

Information Technology (IT) is one of the most lucrative career domains that promises amazing career growth, immense job satisfaction, and global recognition. As per the survey, the IT occupation is expected to increase by 12% in the next decade. An IT certification is one of the best ways to manifest your skills, abilities and earn a handsome salary. As per the latest statistics employees with certification earn 13.7% more than non-certified professionals.

Some of the reasons why you should consider IT certification in 2022 are:

◉ Insanely high job opportunities

◉ Manifest your skills and knowledge

◉ Stand apart from the crowd

◉ Enhance your knowledge about the domain

◉ Validate your proficiency

◉ Attractive salaries

In this blog, we will discuss the top 10 highest Paying IT Certifications for 2022. So let’s get started.

1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

In today’s scenario, Amazon Web Services is one of the biggest cloud computing services. AWS Cloud Practitioner is one of the most recommended certifications that promises an extremely high salary and job satisfaction. This certification validates that you have in-depth cloud knowledge and foundational AWS knowledge. In India, the salary of an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner can go up to INR 10-12 LPA or even more than that. 

Exam Overview:

◉ Time duration: 90 minutes

◉ Format: 65 Questions either multiple choice or multiple responses

◉ Passing score: 700 marks

◉ Important concepts:

    ◉ Cloud concepts

    ◉ Security and compliance

    ◉ Knowledge of core AWS services, etc. 

2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

As per the survey, there are around 3.5 million job opportunities for an ethical hacker, and every 10-14 seconds there is a cyber attack. This simply means that there is a huge demand for Certified Ethical Hackers. This certification offers amazing career prospects and global recognition. The salary of an ethical hacker ranges from INR 3 LPA to INR 40 LPA based on the industry experience and skillset.

Exam Overview:

◉ Time duration: 4 hours

◉ Format: Multiple choice

◉ Passing score: 70%

◉ Important concepts:

    ◉ Footprinting and Reconnaissance

    ◉ Trojans backdoors and countermeasures

    ◉ Advance hacking and log management concepts

    ◉ IDS firewalls and network packet analysis, etc. 

3. Oracle MySQL Database Administration

MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator, this certification proves your knowledge of MySQL architecture and abilities to install and configure MySQL databases. As per the survey Database Administration jobs are expected to increase by 8% so this certification promises immense job satisfaction and career growth.

Exam Overview:

◉ Time duration: 120 minutes

◉ Format: Multiple choice questions

◉ Passing score: 58%

◉ Important concepts:

    ◉ Configure data auditing and access

    ◉ Handle backup and restoration activities

    ◉ Monitor SQL servers, etc.   

4. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

This certification manifests that you can implement the scrum framework effectively. The average salary of the mid-level experienced Certified Scrum Master is around INR 12 LPA. As per the latest survey, jobs in this domain are expected to increase by 24% which is far more than the average.

Exam Overview:

◉ Time duration: 60 minutes

◉ Format: MCQs

◉ Passing score: 74%

◉ Important concepts:

    ◉ In-depth knowledge of Agile concepts

    ◉ Concepts and terminology in the scrum

    ◉ Scrum ceremonies and roles

    ◉ Responsibilities of scrum master, etc. 

5. Microsoft Certification: Azure Fundamentals

Microsoft Certification: Azure Fundamentals certification is in really high demand, it can be simply considered as a ticket to excellent jobs. This certification is for the individuals who are starting their journey of cloud-based services.

Exam Overview:

◉ Time duration: 85 minutes

◉ Format: MCQs

◉ Passing marks: 700

◉ Important concepts:

    ◉ Foundational Cloud concepts

    ◉ Core Azure services  

    ◉ General and network security protocols

    ◉ Azure cost management, etc. 

6. Project Management Professional

This certification manifests that you possess the right knowledge in managing projects and project teams. It helps you to distinguish yourself in a global marketplace. The average salary of a PMP certified professional is around INR 11-14 LPA which is significantly higher than the managers without PMP certification.

Exam Overview:

◉ Time duration: 4 hours

◉ Format: MCQs

◉ Passing marks: Percentile mechanism

◉ Important concepts:

    ◉ Starting the project

    ◉ Planning and execution

    ◉ Controlling and monitoring of project

    ◉ Closing of the project, etc. 

7. CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)

CISM certification validates that you have in-depth knowledge of information security and risk management. The salary range of a CISM Certified Professional is around INR 10-50 LPA with a growth rate of 20% to 25% and based on the industry experience and skillset.

Exam Overview:

◉ Time duration: 4 hours

◉ Format: MCQs

◉ Passing marks: 450

◉ Important concepts:

    ◉ Information Security

    ◉ Risk and incident management

    ◉ Program development and management, etc. 

8. Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert

CCIE certification is concerned with a category of tech certifications for those who have the excellent skills required to design, develop, implement & troubleshoot complex network infrastructure. There is a huge demand for CCIE professionals and the demand is expected to grow high in the future.

Exam Overview:

◉ Time duration: 120 minutes and 8 hours of lab time

◉ Format: MCQs and Lab exams

◉ Passing score: around 80%

◉ Important concepts: depends on the selected track

9. CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)

This certificate indicates that you can apply a risk-based approach in executing, planning, and reporting audit engagements. The salary range of CISA certified professionals is around INR 12-30 LPA based on the industry experience and skillset. 

Exam Overview:

◉ Time duration: 240 mins

◉ Format: Multiple choice questions

◉ Passing score: 450 

◉ Important concepts:

    ◉ Management and Governance of IT

    ◉ Protection of Information

    ◉ Maintenance and service management, etc. 

10. IBM Data Science Professional Certificate

The data science domain is one of the rapidly growing fields and data science professionals are one of the hottest assets right now. As per the survey, there will be around 11 million job opportunities by 2026 and a whopping growth rate of 46%. Digital badge from IBM recognizing your proficiency in the field of data science. 

Certification Overview: 

◉ Time duration: 11 months with the pace of 3-4 hours per week

◉ Format: Hands-on assignments, projects, and quizzes

◉ Important concepts:

   ◉ Data science tools and methodology

   ◉ Data analysis and machine learning techniques

   ◉ SQL concepts for data science, etc. 

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

Continue reading

How to Prevent the Top 10 Most Common Cyberattacks

Cybersecurity is a pressing concern for businesses and individuals alike. With incidents like the Equifax breach making headlines, it’s clear that businesses and organizations must stay vigilant about online security.

Whether you want to beef up your cybersecurity skills or are responsible for safeguarding your organization’s networks, you need to know the most common cyberattacks and how to prevent them.

1. Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks are one of the most common cyberattacks. According to Deloitte, approximately 91% of all cyberattacks start with a phishing email (Deloitte, 2020).

Phishing is a cyberattack that uses email or malicious websites to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or account numbers. Attackers often pose as legitimate companies or individuals to trick victims into giving up this information.

There are many ways to prevent phishing attacks. Some of the most common methods include:

◉ Educating yourself and your employees about phishing attacks.

◉ Exercising caution with unsolicited emails, even if they appear to be from a trusted source; do not click on links or open attachments from unknown senders.

◉ Verifying the authenticity of websites before entering sensitive information.

◉ Using strong passwords and avoiding reused passwords for different accounts.

◉ Implementing two-factor authentication where possible.

◉ Keeping your software and antivirus programs up to date.

2. Malware Attacks

In this 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report, Verizon states that 30% of data breach cases involve some type of malware (Verizon, 2022). Malware is a type of malicious code or software used to disrupt computer systems, steal data, or gain unauthorized access to a network. Common types of malware include viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, and spyware.

Preventing malware attacks requires a multilayered approach that includes:

◉ Technical controls, such as installing and maintaining antivirus and antimalware software.

◉ Nontechnical measures such as training employees on cybersecurity awareness and best practices as well as developing and enforcing strong security policies.

3. SQL Injection Attacks

SQL injection attacks occur when an attacker inserts malicious code into a web application to extract sensitive information from the database. The attacker can then use this information to gain access to the system or launch further attacks.

Some of the most common cyberattack strategies to prevent SQL injection include:

◉ Performing input validation to ensure all user input does not contain any malicious code.

◉ Configuring database permissions carefully to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.

◉ Using parameterized queries to avoid SQL injection vulnerabilities.

◉ Implementing security controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

4. Session Hijacking Attacks

Another common cyberattack, session hijacking, occurs when a hacker takes over a legitimate user’s session, usually by stealing the user’s cookies or session ID. Session hijacking attacks can be difficult to prevent, as they often exploit vulnerabilities at the network or application level.

Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of being hijacked:

◉ Put strong authentication methods in place, such as two-factor authentication.

◉ Use a VPN or other encryption method to protect your session data.

◉ Be wary of public Wi-Fi, and only connect to trusted networks.

◉ Keep your software and operating system up to date.

◉ Invest in a security solution that can detect and block session hijacking attempts.

5. DDoS Attacks

A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is a cyberattack in which multiple systems flood a target system with internet traffic, requests for information, or other data. The goal of a DDoS attack is to overload the target system so that it no longer functions properly or is unavailable to legitimate users.

Botnets often carry out DDoS attacks. These botnets are collections of infected computers controlled by an attacker (Brookes, 2022). The attacker will use them to send large amounts of traffic and data to the target system.

There are many ways to prevent DDoS attacks, including:

◉ Employing a DDoS protection service.

◉ Implementing rate limiting.

◉ Using a firewall.

◉ Keeping your system updated.

6. Password Spraying Attacks

Password spraying is a type of cyberattack for which hackers use lists of commonly used passwords to try and gain access to multiple accounts. This type of attack often targets high-profile or unsecured accounts.

Some preventative measures to protect against password spraying are to maintain:

◉ Strong and unique passwords for all accounts.

◉ A password manager to keep track of passwords.

◉ Two-factor authentication whenever possible.

◉ Security mechanisms against phishing.

◉ Regular scans for vulnerabilities.

7. OnPath Attacks

In this common cyberattack activity, the attacker intercepts the communications of two victims, relaying messages between them and making them believe they are communicating directly. The attacker can eavesdrop on their conversation or modify the exchanged messages.

To reduce the risk of OnPath attacks:

◉ Always verify the identity of the person you are communicating with, even if you know them.

◉ Use encryption when possible and stay on guard against emails from unknown senders or emails that seem suspicious.

8. Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom payment to decrypt them. Ransomware attacks often involve phishing emails that contain malicious attachments, calendar invites, or links (CISCO Defense, 2022). Once opened, the attachment or link will download and install the ransomware onto the victim’s computer.

Preventative measures against ransomware include:

◉ Never opening attachments or clicking on links from unknown or untested sources.

◉ Keeping your antivirus and antimalware software up to date.

◉ Having a reliable backup solution in place so that you can recover your files in the event of an attack.

9. AI-Powered Attacks

Common cyberattacks carried out by AI-powered machines are among the most difficult to prevent. AI-powered machines can learn and evolve quickly, making it hard to keep up with their changing methods.

Examples of AI-powered attacks include deepfake videos and phishing attacks that use machine learning to become more realistic and believable (Fortinet, 2022).

Here are a few things you can do that will help to prevent AI-powered attacks:

◉ Keep your software and systems up to date with the latest security patches.

◉ Use strong cybersecurity defenses, including antivirus and antispam software, firewalls, and intrusion detection and prevention systems.

◉ Educate yourself and your associates about the dangers of AI-powered attacks and how to spot them.

10. Zero-Day Attacks

A zero-day attack is a type of cyberattack that exploits previously unknown vulnerabilities in software or hardware (Hendler, 2022). These attacks take advantage of security vulnerabilities that have not yet been patched or made public.

Preventive measures against zero-day attacks include:

◉ Keeping all software and firmware up to date.

◉ Using security tools that can detect and block known and unknown threats.

◉ Segmenting networks to contain the spread of an attack.

Source: eccouncil.org

Continue reading

Components of an Enterprise Penetration Testing Report

Penetration testing, also known as a pen test, is a simulated cyberattack against your network. It includes an analysis of the organization’s current security practices and recommendations for improving security.

A pen test aims to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. When the test is complete, you’ll receive a report outlining the results. But what should you expect to find in an enterprise penetration testing report? This article will break down the key components of such a document.

What Is a Penetration Testing Report?

A penetration testing report is a document that details the findings of a security assessment conducted using penetration testing techniques. The report should include information about the engagement’s scope, the test’s objectives, and a summary of the findings. It should also have recommendations for remediation. (Imperva, 2019)

Penetration testing reports can be used to improve an organization’s security posture by identifying weaknesses and providing guidance on how to fix them. They can also be used to satisfy regulatory requirements or provide evidence of due diligence in a data breach.

When commissioning a penetration test, it’s crucial to ensure that the vendor understands your objectives and can provide a report that meets your needs. Be sure to ask for samples of previous reports before making a decision.

When Is a Penetration Testing Report Used?

Organizations use penetration testing reports to help identify and fix security vulnerabilities in their systems before attackers can exploit them. A penetration testing report helps an organization assess the effectiveness of its security controls, understand where its systems are vulnerable, and determine what steps it needs to take to improve its security posture.

Penetration testing reports can be used to:

Identify security vulnerabilities: A penetration tester will attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems to gain access to sensitive data or disrupt operations. The tester will then document the steps to exploit the vulnerabilities, which can help the organization identify and fix the issues.

Assess the effectiveness of security controls: By testing the organization’s ability to detect and respond to attacks, a penetration testing report can help assess the effectiveness of its security controls.

Understand where systems are vulnerable: Penetration testing can help an organization identify which systems and data are most at risk from attack. This information can be used to prioritize security improvements.

Determine what steps to take to improve security: Based on the findings of a penetration test, an organization can determine what steps it needs to take to improve its security posture. These steps might include implementing new security controls, improving employee awareness of security risks, or increasing investment in security infrastructure.

Why Is a Penetration Testing Report Essential?

A penetration testing report is essential for a variety of reasons:

System weaknesses: A good penetration testing report is essential because it can help you understand your system weaknesses and what needs to be done to fix them. You can make the necessary changes to your system to improve its security by identifying these weaknesses.

Overall security: It can provide valuable information to management about the overall security of the organization’s systems. This information can be used to decide whether to invest in additional security measures. It can also be used to assess the effectiveness of existing security measures.

Expense justification: It can also help you justify the expense of hiring a professional penetration testing company. In many cases, the cost of hiring a professional company is much less than repairing the damage that could have been avoided if proper testing had been conducted.

Components of an Enterprise Penetration Testing Report

An enterprise penetration testing report is a document that details the findings of a security assessment of a computer system, network, or web application. The report should include information about the vulnerabilities discovered, the steps taken to exploit them, and the recommendations for remediation. (Dummies, 2022)

A well-written report will provide clear and actionable recommendations that can be used to improve the security posture of the organization. It should also be easy to understand for both technical and non-technical staff.

The following are some of the key components that should be included in an enterprise penetration testing report:

Executive Summary: The executive summary should provide a high-level overview of the findings from the assessment. It should contain information about the most critical vulnerabilities discovered and the recommendations for remediation.

Scope of Work: The scope of work section should describe the systems and networks tested and the methods used. This information will help ensure that the report is tailored to the organization’s needs.

Findings: The findings section should detail all vulnerabilities discovered during the assessment. For each vulnerability, there should be informed about the risk level, how it was exploited, and what steps can be taken to remediate it.

Recommendations: The recommendations section should address the vulnerabilities identified in the findings section. These recommendations should be prioritized based on the risk level of the vulnerabilities.

Appendix: The appendix should include any supporting documentation that will help understand the findings and recommendations from the assessment. This may include screenshots, network diagrams, or code snippets.

The components of an enterprise penetration testing report will vary depending on the organization’s needs. However, all reports should provide a clear and actionable overview of the security risks in the tested systems and networks.

The final report is a comprehensive document detailing the engagement’s findings and any recommendations for mitigating or addressing the identified issues. It also includes an executive summary to give business leaders a high-level overview of the risks and vulnerabilities discovered during the assessment.

A good enterprise penetration testing report will help your organization understand where cybersecurity risk stands and what steps need to be taken to reduce that risk.

Why Choose EC-Council’s C|PENT Certification

EC-Council’s Certified Penetration Testing Professional (C|PENT) program equips you with the knowledge and skills to conduct a penetration test in an enterprise network environment that must be attacked, exploited, evaded, and protected. C|PENT Cyber Range provides comprehensive training based on real-world scenarios through performance-based cyber challenges on live Cyber Range, giving you an advantage in penetration testing.

You can write effective enterprise reporting with the C|PENT’s guidance. Designed by industry experts, the program will help you become a world-class penetration tester.

Get real-world experience through an advanced penetration testing range.

Source: eccouncil.org

Continue reading

AWS, GCP and Azure: 3 Biggest Cloud Service Providers in 2022

There’s a lot of talk these days about which public cloud platform is best for an organization. But what many people don’t realize is that when it comes to cloud security, there isn’t necessarily a clear winner. Each of the big three providers—AWS, Azure, and GCP—has its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. So how do you decide which platform is right for your business?

This article compares and contrasts the security features offered by each provider so you can make an informed decision about which platform is right for you. We will also go through how to choose the best cloud security certification that will further your career as a certified cloud security professional.

Each Player’s Market Share and Their USPs When It Comes to Security

AWS, GCP, and Azure are the three biggest cloud service providers in the world. All three offer a variety of security features to their customers, but there are some key differences between them.

AWS

◉ AWS is the market leader in cloud services, with a 37% market share (Holori, 2021).

◉ Its main USP related to security is the comprehensive suite of security features, which include data encryption, DDoS protection, and identity and access management (IAM).

◉ It also has a strong focus on compliance, with over 90 compliance certifications.

Azure

◉ Azure is the second largest cloud provider, with a 23% market share (Holori, 2021).

◉ Its main USP in terms of security is the robust identity management system, which includes multi-factor authentication and single sign-on.

◉ It also has a number of compliance certifications, including ISO 27001 and HIPAA.

GCP

◉ GCP is the third largest cloud provider, with a 9% market share (Holori, 2021).

◉ Its main USP when it comes to security is its tight integration with Google’s other products, which makes it easy to deploy a comprehensive security solution.

◉ It also offers several unique security features, such as per-user activity monitoring and customer-managed encryption keys.

Biggest Data Breaches in the Past 5 Years

Data breaches are becoming more and more common, with large companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft being affected in recent years. Here is a look at some of the biggest data breaches that have happened at these three companies in the past five years.

1. Amazon: In 2019, Amazon had a data breach that affected over 100 million customers. This breach exposed customer names, email addresses and phone numbers. Amazon did not disclose how the breach occurred, but it is believed that hackers were able to gain access to Amazon’s systems through a third-party vendor (TechCrunch, 2022).

2. Google: In 2016, Google was hit by a data breach that affected over 1 million customers. This breach exposed customer names, email addresses, birthdates and gender information. Google blamed the breach on a “bug” in its system that allowed hackers to gain access to its systems (Check Point Software, 2016).

3. Microsoft: In 2019, Microsoft had a data breach that affected over 250 million customers. This breach exposed customer names, email addresses and password hashes. Microsoft blamed the breach on a “misconfiguration” in its system that allowed hackers to gain access to its systems (LifeLock Norton, 2022).

These are just a few of the many data breaches that have happened at large companies in recent years. Data breaches can have a major impact on customers, so it’s important for companies to take steps to protect their data.

Security Is a Shared Responsibility

It’s a common misconception that security is solely the responsibility of the IT department. In reality, security is a shared responsibility between IT and the employees of an organization. Both groups need to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to mitigate them.

As more and more businesses move to the cloud, the need for qualified cloud security professionals has never been greater. The EC-Council Certified Cloud Security Engineer (C|CSE) credential is designed to help IT professionals who want to specialize in securing cloud environments. The C|CSE trains cybersecurity professionals interested to learn about all the platforms along with cloud neutral concepts.

The C|CSE credential covers cloud security topics for all of the top three cloud providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). In addition, the C|CSE covers key security concepts such as risk management, identity and access management, data encryption and incident response.

What Makes C|CSE Stand Out from the Rest

EC-Council’s C|CSE program is the only cloud certification that covers both vendor-neutral and vendor-specific cloud security. The C|CSE certification is designed for security professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in securing cloud computing environments. C|CSE’s training covers a broad range of topics, including Governance, risk management, and compliance in the cloud, Data/application and operation security, Cloud Penetration Testing, Cloud Forensics investigation, Incident Response, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery.

C|CSE is a comprehensive unique program that delivers a mix of vendor-neutral and vendor-specific cloud security concepts. As a vendor-neutral program, it’s an ideal choice for organizations that use a variety of different technologies. The course is also vendor specific, meaning that it covers specific types of devices and software from major vendors such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This program enables candidates to acquire cloud security skills by training them in a simulated environment with 50+ labs designed to match real-time cloud security challenges and perform special security tasks essential for a cloud security role.

Source: eccouncil.org

Continue reading