Navigating the intricate maze of cybersecurity can often leave businesses entangled in a web of myths and misconceptions, leading to a false sense of security and overlooked vulnerabilities. In an era where digital threats are not only becoming more sophisticated but also more rampant, understanding and addressing these misconceptions is crucial for every organization, regardless of its size or sector.
“Nearly 90% of technology professionals detected significant risks in their software supply chain in the last year. 98% of them recognize that software supply chain issues pose a significant risk. And 70% of companies confirm that current application security solutions fail to protect [them] from software supply chain security risks.” (Security Magazine / The Reversing Labs Software Supply Chain Risk Survey)
We will dismantle some of the most common yet risky beliefs surrounding Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT). By shedding light on the truths behind these myths, we aim to equip businesses with the insights they need to effectively protect their online spaces from potential cyber-attacks.
Here are some of the most common misconceptions:
I’m too small to be a target.
Businesses of all sizes are cybersecurity targets, with over 50% of organizations having experienced a data breach – 44% in the last year alone. And the number of vulnerabilities continues to expand, with over 28,000 new ones discovered in 2023. If you are part of a supply chain (even if you are small), you may be targeted to disrupt it.
Our company isn’t a tech company, so we aren’t vulnerable.
Every business that uses digital technology can be a cybersecurity target. Some research suggests that non-technical companies are specifically targeted because they are more likely to lack rigorous cybersecurity protocols.
Our internal IT staff does system audits.
VAPT is a specialized field that requires expertise. It’s also valuable and sometimes required to have an independent analysis done by an external expert. Plus, outsourcing your VAPT has the added benefit of freeing up your staff for other security initiatives.
We rely on software/hardware to mitigate security issues.
Security software/hardware is only part of the solution – it has limits. Only humans can perform fully comprehensive security testing.
I only need a Vulnerability Assessment (VA).
Vulnerability Assessment (VA) and Penetration Testing (PT) often go hand-in-hand. The assessment alone may be of limited value without the testing to validate its findings. More frequent VAs between PTs provide insights into your system’s potential vulnerabilities.
Regularly recurring VAPTs are part of healthy cybersecurity hygiene for a strong security posture. They are a light-lift way to start your organization’s cybersecurity journey, providing a first step toward managing your business-impacting vulnerabilities.
Mariner Security Practice helps organizations improve their cybersecurity posture with technology, processes, and impactful organizational behaviour change including a people-first design approach. Let’s connect.
