Your Guide to Pentesting for GDPR, DORA, and Other Regulations
The role of pentesting in regulations is becoming more and more critical.
It’s all good and well to have cybersecurity measures in place, but what if they don’t work as they should?
Compliance isn’t just about avoiding hefty fines or checking boxes. It’s building a security-first culture that protects your business and your customers.
And that’s where penetration testing shines!
By finding and fixing system weaknesses, you meet compliance standards and make your business more secure and stronger.
Why Compliance Matters More Than Ever
Regulations like GDPR and DORA didn’t just appear overnight. They’re a direct response to the rise of cyberattacks and data breaches we’ve seen globally.
In the early days of the internet, cybersecurity was often an afterthought.
But as technology evolved, and we started using it better and more, cyber threats became more sophisticated. And with the rise of AI , attacks are becoming even more advanced.
A prime example is a 2024 incident where a British engineering giant lost about $25 million in a deepfake scam.
An employee in the finance department first received a written request to move funds, which he found suspicious. But after a video call with a company higher-up, he felt reassured and moved the funds.
Unfortunately, although the people in the call looked and sounded real, they were not.
This is not to show more “traditional” hacking methods are no longer in play.
In fact, in 2023, MGM Resorts International, a global casino, was left in shambles after an “employee” phoned the IT helpdesk to reset their password. All the employee security checks checked out, and the password was reset.
When the real employee noticed their password was changed without their request, they reported it immediately. MGM acted quickly in response.
But it was too late; the actors were in.
These incidents, and the millions of others like them, make clear that we need stronger security and stricter rules to keep everyone safe.
The Connection Between Legal Compliance and Cybersecurity
System security best practices and legal compliance are two sides of the same coin.
- Regulation compliance forces you to have better cybersecurity in place.
- Robust cybersecurity helps you meet compliance requirements.
And pentesting sits right in the middle, helping you achieve both.
Penetration testing, or war gaming, is when trusted agents use real-world attacks to access your systems. This helps you identify weaknesses in your system.
Examples of Pentesting’s Role in Regulations
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
This law gives people more control over their personal information. It also requires companies to protect that information.
Pentesting helps you find and fix vulnerabilities that could lead to a data breach. It ensures you’re following GDPR’s strict rules for protecting personal data. This includes testing for data leakage, unauthorised access, and weak access controls.
DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act)
The DORA Act makes sure that financial institutions can handle problems like cyberattacks and keep running smoothly.
Pentesting helps you assess your ICT (information and communications technology) system’s resilience. So you can identify any weak spots that could disrupt your operations. It also tests your business continuity, disaster recovery, and incident response capabilities.
NIS2 (Network and Information Security Directive)
NIS2 is critical for the energy, transportation, and healthcare sectors.
Pentesting helps these organisations to identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks. It includes network security, data protection, and incident response planning testing.
PSD2 (Payment Services Directive)
If you run a business that provides payment services, pentesting is a great way to keep your online transactions and customer data safe. It helps you check the effectiveness of your authentication methods, fraud prevention strategies, and secure communication processes.
How 7ASecurity’s Penetration Testing Supports Compliance
We don’t just scratch the surface. We dig deep to find hidden security gaps that attackers could exploit.
This includes testing for misconfigurations, software flaws, weak passwords, and social engineering vulnerabilities.
Validating Security Controls
Besides pointing out the problems, we’ll help you understand why they exist and how to fix them.
We’ll assess your current security measures to determine if they meet requirements. Then, we’ll provide advice on how to strengthen them to comply with regulations.
Prioritising Risks
Not all vulnerabilities are equally dangerous.
We’ll help you pinpoint the most critical issues based on their potential impact and how likely they are to be targeted. This way, you can focus your efforts where they matter most.
Providing Compliance Evidence
Our pentesting reports record all the security steps you are taking. This documentation is important for audits and regulatory assessments.
Want to learn more about how we can help you achieve compliance with confidence?
Book a free consultation today!
