How Penetration Testing Training Keeps EU Businesses Safe

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Stay Ahead of Attackers With Up-To-Date Security Knowledge and Tactics

Your cybersecurity posture is only as strong as your team’s ability to fight back, which is why effective penetration testing training is so important. This type of ongoing learning helps your team find and fix security weaknesses before they lead to a costly breach.

We’ve said this many times: threats are always changing. This means that the regulations designed to fight them do as well. It’s especially true in the EU. 

A single certification or an annual penetration testing training course is no longer enough. 

To protect your business, your team needs to learn continuously. Their skills must evolve alongside the attackers they aim to stop.

The EU Cyber Threats Landscape 

According to IBM, cyberattacks have decreased from 32% in 2023 to 24% in 2024. Although this is a significant drop, the Union is still ranked as the third most targeted region globally. 

Attacking businesses in the EU is very attractive for criminals. The region holds enormous economic value and a wealth of data. 

Cybercriminals are continuously upskilling. They use complex attacks that target everything from cloud systems to software supply chains to staff. 

The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) reports that ransomware and data theft remain prominent problems.

This risk has led to stricter EU security regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the NIS2 Directive. 

Although non-compliance can lead to severe fines, it’s not your biggest problem. The reputational damage and resulting financial losses after a breach can be devastating. 

In fact, research shows that the average global cost of a breach in 2024 was USD 4.88 million. This is up from USD 4.45 million in the previous year. It also took companies an average of 258 days to identify and contain a breach. This pressure means that strong cyber skills development is essential for business survival. It’s not just an IT problem.

The Importance of Continuous Penetration Testing Training 

The truth is that the tools and tactics attackers use today will differ tomorrow. Relying on old skills leaves your business exposed. 

That’s why continuous penetration testing training is a fundamental investment in cybersecurity. It keeps your security team sharp and up to date on the latest knowledge and practical skills. 

This helps them anticipate, find, and stop threats.

Simply put, if your team’s expertise stops growing, your defence does too. 

Besides attackers constantly looking for new vulnerabilities, our virtual world is developing at an immense pace. Unfortunately, without ongoing red team training, you’re leaving your company, employees, and, worst of all, customers vulnerable.

Core Skills for Modern Red Team Training

Good security education focuses on practical, real-world skills. To defend against attacks, high-quality pentesters must have hands-on experience. 

So, what should stand out on a pentester’s CV? 

Technical Proficiency with Essential Tools

A skilled pentester knows how to use the tools of the trade. 

This includes:

  • Network Scanners. Tools like Nmap help map networks and find open doors that attackers could use. Wireshark can analyse network traffic.
  • Web Proxies. Burp Suite is used to test web applications for security flaws.
  • Exploitation Frameworks. Metasploit helps testers safely show how a vulnerability could be used in a real attack.

Importantly! Although these tools are used, no quality penetration test will ever rely only on automated reports. Applying human knowledge, know-how, and creativity is the only way to truly test any system.

Understanding Attacker Methodologies

Tools are only a starting point. An expert must also understand how an attacker thinks. 

This means knowing attack methodologies like the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) and MITRE ATT&CK®

These frameworks help your team recognise and predict an attacker’s behaviour.

Cloud and Application Security

Many businesses now use cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Securing these environments is vital. 

Your team also needs a solid grasp of common web application flaws. The OWASP Top 10 is a key resource for understanding critical risks to web applications.

Continuous Cybersecurity Learning Is Our Foundation

One of the major problems businesses face regarding penetration testing is not having the resources for a fully developed cybersecurity team, let alone continuous cybersecurity learning.

So, how do you protect your business? 

Simple. You outsource. You look for a cybersecurity company that’s built on security education. 

You ask them about their credentials, what they do to stay ahead of criminal actors, and how they can assist you. 

You look for a digital security company that specialises in penetration testing and values your commitment to your business. 

You look for someone like 7ASecurity

Don’t believe us? 

Book your free consultation and find out!