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Pentest
Definition
A pentest (penetration test) is an authorised, simulated cyberattack on a system, network or application to discover vulnerabilities before malicious actors do.
In a pentest, an ethical hacker, also called a penetration tester or red teamer, simulates a real attack on an organisation's digital environment. This can encompass external systems, internal networks, web applications, mobile apps or cloud infrastructure.
A pentest typically goes through the phases: reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation and reporting. The result is a detailed report with vulnerabilities found, evidence of exploitation and concrete recommendations.
Pentests are mandatory under regulations such as DORA (financial sector) and are increasingly required by clients, insurers and certification bodies. DEFION carries out pentests for all types of environments. The cost and duration of a pentest vary depending on scope and complexity. An external pentest typically takes two to four weeks, a web application pentest one to three weeks. Pentest results are increasingly demanded by clients, regulators and cyber insurers as evidence of adequate security.
Impact on organisations
The impact on organisations is substantial. Under NIS2, organisations in critical sectors are required to implement appropriate technical and organisational measures. DORA sets comparable requirements for financial institutions. The average cost of a security incident amounts to millions of euros in recovery, legal fees and reputational damage. National cybersecurity centres warn that advanced threat actors increasingly target European organisations.
Protection
Effective protection requires a layered approach combining technical measures with organisational processes and awareness. Regular testing of security measures through pentests and security assessments is essential. An incident response plan with clear roles and communication lines prepares the organisation for worst-case scenarios. Continuous monitoring through an MDR service or internal SOC detects threats before they can cause damage. Security awareness training ensures employees recognise and report suspicious activities.
The threat landscape evolves rapidly. Organisations that operate only reactively face increasing risk. A proactive security strategy combines technical measures with regular security testing, continuous monitoring and a practised incident response team. NIS2 requires organisations in critical sectors to implement demonstrable security measures, including supply chain risk management and regular assessments. The cost of prevention is a fraction of the cost of a security incident: the IBM Cost of Data Breach Report 2024 documents average costs of $4.88 million per incident. Organisations with an MDR service or practised incident response team save an average of $2.66 million per incident compared to organisations without preparation.
How DEFION helps
DEFION offers a comprehensive portfolio of security services that help organisations address this threat. The 24/7 SOC team continuously monitors for suspicious activities. Pentests and red teaming exercises test the effectiveness of existing security measures. In the event of an incident, the DFIR team is immediately available for forensic investigation and recovery. This requires a proactive security strategy that is regularly tested and updated based on the current threat landscape. Organisations that invest in prevention and preparation save significantly on incident response costs. ISO 27001 provides a proven framework for structurally organising information security.