Why Penetration Testing Is Not a Full Security Solution and How the Local Security Team Does Not Follow the Recommendations

Penetration testing is a valuable tool for assessing the security posture of an organization. It simulates real-world attacks and identifies vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. However, penetration testing alone is not enough to ensure a comprehensive security solution. There are several limitations and challenges that need to be addressed in order to maximize the benefits of penetration testing.

One of the main limitations of penetration testing is that it is a snapshot in time. It only reflects the security state of the system at the moment of the test. It does not account for changes in the environment, such as new threats, new technologies, or new regulations. Therefore, penetration testing needs to be performed regularly and updated accordingly. A single penetration test is not sufficient to guarantee a long-term security.

Another limitation of penetration testing is that it is dependent on the scope and methodology of the test. The scope defines what systems, networks, or applications are included in the test, while the methodology defines how the test is conducted, such as what tools, techniques, or scenarios are used. The scope and methodology of a penetration test may vary depending on the objectives, budget, or resources of the organization. However, this also means that some aspects of the system may be overlooked or excluded from the test. For example, a penetration test may focus on external attacks and neglect internal threats, or it may focus on technical vulnerabilities and neglect human factors. Therefore, penetration testing needs to be comprehensive and consistent in order to cover all relevant aspects of the system.

A third limitation of penetration testing is that it is dependent on the quality and expertise of the testers. Penetration testing requires a high level of skill and knowledge in order to perform effectively and ethically. The testers need to have a deep understanding of the system under test, as well as the latest attack techniques and tools. They also need to follow ethical standards and legal regulations when conducting the test. However, not all testers have the same level of quality and expertise. Some testers may be inexperienced, unqualified, or even malicious. Therefore, penetration testing needs to be conducted by reputable professionals who can deliver reliable and accurate results.

The limitations of penetration testing highlight the need for a holistic security solution that goes beyond testing. A security solution should include not only detection but also prevention, response, and recovery. It should also involve not only technical but also organizational and human factors. It should also be aligned with the business goals and objectives of the organization.

However, in many organizations, they face a challenge that hinders their security solution: the local security team does not follow the recommendations from the penetration tests. A local security team is responsible for implementing and maintaining the security measures for their systems. They are supposed to act on the findings and recommendations from the penetration tests and fix the vulnerabilities or mitigate the risks. However, we have observed that they often ignore or delay these actions for various reasons.

Some of the reasons are:

• Lack of awareness: The local security team may not be aware of the importance or urgency of the recommendations. They may not understand the implications or consequences of leaving the vulnerabilities unaddressed.
• Lack of resources: The local security team may not have enough time, money, or personnel to implement the recommendations. They may have other priorities or constraints that prevent them from taking action.
• Lack of support: The local security team may not have enough support from management or other stakeholders to implement the recommendations. They may face resistance or opposition from other departments or users who do not want to change their processes or behaviors.
• Lack of accountability: The local security team may not have enough incentives or consequences to implement the recommendations. They may not have clear roles or responsibilities for security or they may not be evaluated or rewarded for their performance.

These reasons create a gap between what we expect from penetration testing and what we actually achieve from it. This gap reduces the effectiveness and value of our security solution and exposes us to potential breaches or incidents.

Therefore, we need to address this challenge and ensure that our local security team follows the recommendations from penetration testing. We need to:

• Increase awareness: We need to educate and inform our local security team about the importance and urgency of implementing the recommendations. We need to explain how they relate to our business goals and objectives and how they affect our reputation and compliance.
• Provide resources: We need to allocate sufficient time, money, and personnel for our local security team to implement the recommendations. We need to prioritize security over other tasks and remove any barriers or obstacles that hinder their action.
• Gain support: We need to obtain support from management and other stakeholders for implementing the recommendations. We need to communicate and collaborate with them effectively and address any concerns or objections they may have.
• Establish accountability: We need to assign clear roles and responsibilities for security to our local security team and hold them accountable for their performance. We need to monitor and measure their progress and provide feedback and recognition for their achievements.

By doing these steps, we can ensure that our local security team follows the recommendations from penetration testing and improves our security posture. We can also ensure that we get the most out of our penetration testing and achieve a full security solution.