Security Spotlight: Penetration Testing

To become SOC 2 compliant, your organization must have comprehensive controls in place to manage cybersecurity risks. One of the best ways to determine if your network infrastructure and/or web application are secure is to undergo a penetration test by a reputable third-party security firm.

What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing, also known as “pentesting,” is the process of simulating an attack on your  network and/or web application in order to expose vulnerabilities. Penetration testing is often done by a team of professionals who have the knowledge and tools to act as expert ethical hackers. The vulnerabilities found are then presented in a report so that they may be addressed and mitigated in a timely manner.

Penetration Testing and SOC 2

As part of the SOC 2 process, organizations are required to monitor their security controls. Going through a regular penetration test is a great method to find vulnerabilities before real attackers do.

When considering penetration testing as part of your SOC 2 controls, it is also important to evaluate scope and documentation. The scope of your penetration test should align with your SOC 2 report, meaning that testing should cover the relevant systems and applications that are in-scope for your SOC 2 examination.

The external penetration test report, along with documentation of timely remediation for any significant findings, will serve as strong evidence that your information security monitoring controls are suitably designed and operating effectively.

Helping You Get There…

No matter where you are on your journey to SOC 2 compliance, you may have questions. Boulay has a team of experts who are ready to answer. To learn more about penetration testing or how our SOC 2 reporting services help you get there, connect with a member of Boulay’s Risk Advisory Team today.