Breaches that could have been prevented with pentesting.
Achieving SOC 2 compliance is a big deal. It shows your clients that you take data security seriously.
But getting certified is just the first step.
Maintaining compliance and securing your systems requires ongoing effort, so SOC 2 pentesting is vital.
Think of SOC 2 compliance as building a fortress around your data. You’ve got your walls, gates, and guards.
But what if someone finds a hidden tunnel or a weak spot in your defences?
That’s where 7ASecurity comes in.
We act like those attackers, trying to find weak points in your fortress. We probe your systems, looking for vulnerabilities that real cybercriminals could exploit.
This is called penetration testing, or pentesting for short.
By identifying these weaknesses, you can fix them before any damage is done.
Why is SOC 2 Pentesting so Important?
SOC 2 security testing isn’t just a one-time thing.
For one, AI’s continuous improvement is not only helping businesses optimise operations, etc., but also helping scammers and cybercriminals do their “jobs” better.
For another, people, including top management of giant corporations, are still opening links they shouldn’t.
The reality is that as safe as cybersecurity is developing, so too is cybercrime.
Benefits of SOC 2 Pentesting
- Identify Hidden Weaknesses. Even with the best security measures in place, vulnerabilities can slip through the cracks. Our security audits use automated and manual techniques to help you find and fix those weaknesses before they become a problem. Please note this is above and beyond superficial automated vulnerability assessments (which just copy-paste the output of an automated tool, full of false positives and false negatives, making your staff waste a lot of hours and money to review non-validated results full of noise), which should never be confused with a penetration test or security audit.
- Strengthen Your Security Standing. By identifying and resolving issues in your system, you improve your overall security posture and reduce the risk of an expensive data breach.
- Show Your Commitment to Security. Regular pentesting proves to clients, partners, and stakeholders that you take data security seriously. It provides tangible evidence of your commitment to protecting their information.
- Maintain Cybersecurity Compliance. While not always mandatory, SOC 2 often recommends or requires regular penetration testing as part of your efforts to remain cybersecurity compliant.
- Reduce the Impact of a Breach. A data breach can damage your reputation and cost you a fortune. Pentesting helps you avoid these breaches by proactively identifying and mitigating risks.
Examples of Real-life Breaches
Unfortunately, data breaches are becoming increasingly common.
Cybercrime statistics are crazy! According to Exploding Topics, there are almost 11 cyberattacks per second.
Just look at these examples of high-profile breaches.
Fortinet (2024)
Even cybersecurity giants aren’t safe.
In this incident, a threat actor claimed to have stolen 440 GB of files from Fortinet’s Microsoft Sharepoint server.
It highlights the need for continuous security assessments, even for companies in the security industry.
Truist Bank (2023)
One of the largest banks in America, Truist Bank, suffered a data breach that exposed employee information.
This breach serves as a reminder that even seemingly secure organisations with significant resources can be vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Reddit (2023)
A phishing attack targeted Reddit employees, exposing internal documents, code, and business systems.
This breach emphasises the importance of employee security awareness training and robust access controls.
LastPass (2022)
This password management company suffered a breach where hackers stole encrypted password vaults.
While the passwords were encrypted, the incident highlighted the need for strong encryption practices and multifactor authentication.
Uber (2022)
An attacker gained access to Uber’s internal systems through social engineering (phone calls, phishing scams, malicious links, etc.), compromising sensitive data.
This breach underscores the importance of strong access controls and employee training to prevent social engineering attacks.
Develop an Effective Pentesting Schedule
How often should you conduct SOC 2 pentesting?
This depends on several factors, such as your organisation’s size and complexity, the sensitivity of the data you handle, and your industry’s regulatory requirements.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, here’s a general guideline:
- At least annually. This is the minimum recommended frequency to maintain SOC 2 compliance and a strong security posture.
- After significant changes. If you make significant changes to your systems or applications (implementing new software or migrating to the cloud), conducting a pentest is crucial to identify any new vulnerabilities.
- Following a security incident. If you experience a security incident, a pentest can help you identify the root cause and prevent it from happening again.
Ultimately, the frequency of your pentesting should be based on your specific risk profile and business needs.
How We Can Help
Our 7ASecurity security team is ready to help with your SOC 2 pentesting.
Our thorough security vulnerability assessment approach includes:
- Understanding Your Needs. We take the time to learn about your specific systems and data to tailor our testing accordingly.
- Testing Like the Bad Guys. We use the same tactics and techniques as real attackers to give you a realistic picture of your security posture.
- Clear and Concise Reporting. We provide a detailed report of our findings, including clear explanations and actionable recommendations.
Moreover, we won’t just point out the problems and leave; we’ll work with you to fix them.
By understanding your systems, identifying potential risks, and developing a remedy plan, we help you protect your data and maintain the trust of your clients.
Our goal is to make sure your data is truly secure, not just compliant on paper.
Don’t Wait for a Breach
Don’t wait for a security incident to force you into action!
Proactive SOC 2 pentesting helps you maintain a strong security posture and avoid the financial and reputational damage of a data breach.
