Hackers are outpacing enterprises in cyber expertise, creating an uptick in successful ransomware attacks and phishing schemes across the board. Yet many C-suite leaders fail to implement preventative measures to combat these attacks.
Continuous penetration testing is one such tool used to prevent a breach. Penetration testing simulates a cyberattack to assess different exploitable vulnerabilities that lie in an enterprise’s current systems. Continuous penetration testing takes this tactic one step further by regularly validating an organization’s cyber defenses, ensuring systems never depreciate and that evolving threats cannot break through.
It’s up to IT leaders to share the cost-saving potential of penetration testing with the C-suite — however, this is often easier said than done. Let’s discuss how IT managers can demonstrate to top executives that continuous penetration testing has massive organizational benefits.
Continuous Penetration Testing is Paramount
The basic argument for continuous penetration testing is evident: penetration testing contributes to a more robust cybersecurity posture. Therefore, continuously running these tests and validating cyber defenses is a good idea. However, the business case for continuous penetration testing goes beyond providing peace of mind. In the modern business era — defined by myriad phishing schemes, maturing ransomware, and increasing data breaches — continuous penetration testing is a must-have for ensuring business continuity.
Many organizations conduct annual penetration testing. But consider the number of firmware and software updates your systems undergo throughout the year. Now, consider that each update introduces innumerable risks, including the possibility of server security misconfigurations, session hijacking, cross-site scripting, and broken access control. A once-a-year penetration testing model allows these vulnerabilities to persist for 9+ months, leaving your organization vulnerable to attacks. Alternatively, a continuous model of penetration testing identifies these system deficiencies immediately, enabling a moderator to build relevant stopgaps and thwart breaches.
Time is of the essence in this domain. According to industry research, cyberattacks increased 314% between H1 2022 and H1 2023. Unprotected businesses are likely to become targets sooner rather than later. Moreover, cyber threats evolve every day. The inception of large language models (LLMs) and GenAI tools like ChatGPT and Bard have heralded a new era in cybersecurity. Hackers can create new ploys at an unprecedented rate — and what is secure today might not be tomorrow. Regular penetration testing circumvents these enlarged attack surfaces by significantly expediting the vulnerability identification process.
How to Acquire C-Suite Sign-Off for Penetration Testing
IT leaders looking to adopt continuous penetration testing may encounter obstacles when conversing with executives about the proposed change. But what makes the C-suite approval stage so challenging?
All too often, executives lack a detailed understanding of the ROI presented by robust cybersecurity measures. Or they habitually prioritize other departmental needs over security despite the proven benefits of a heightened security posture. According to IBM, organizations that have experienced a breach are more likely to pass incident costs onto customers than invest in enhanced security.
To overcome these challenges, IT leaders must quickly and articulately convey the risks posed by modern cyber threats. It is not about "if" but "when.”
Speak executives' language by focusing on the ROI of continuous penetration testing without getting too technical. Communicate that the cost of a continuous penetration testing package — particularly those offered as a SaaS subscription model — is minuscule compared to the potential losses of a data breach. For reference, the average data breach in 2023 cost $4.45 million.
The following strategies can help IT leaders communicate the urgency and value of a continuous penetration testing package:
● Research and present compliance needs: Although cost-cutting is rampant, regulatory compliance remains non-negotiable — at least for most organizations. Conduct due diligence to determine your industry or vertical’s regulations and compare those requirements to your current penetration testing package. When sharing your findings, emphasize how regular penetration testing helps your company avoid non-compliance fines and penalties.
- Leverage your competitor set: Cybersecurity is a huge selling point. According to McKinsey, consumers rank trustworthiness and data policies as equally important as price when evaluating a purchase. Your consumers may be inclined to switch if they believe a competitor has more robust data protection. Research your competitors’ data policies to verify alignment, and if not, use that information during your executive presentation to strengthen your argument.
- Emphasize action over words: Sometimes, seeing is believing. Consider scheduling a small-scale penetration test or cybersecurity vulnerability assessment to demonstrate the value of enhanced cybersecurity measures. Tangible results are a powerful persuader.
IT leaders can effectively communicate the critical nature of continuous penetration testing by highlighting risks associated with the modern cyber landscape, divulging evolving regulations, and discussing this strategy's ROI. Remember, in the digital age, it's about seizing and safeguarding opportunities. Investing in continuous penetration testing is more than a technical decision — it's imperative for a strategic business.
Josh Hall is a Senior Pentester at InterVision.
