Author: trilightsecurity

Web application penetration testing is one of the two most common types of penetration tests. The company providing reliable penetration testing services must possess expertise in web application pentesting unless it is a niche cybersecurity service provider. Read below on how to choose the appropriate provider of web application pen testing services.

 

Penetration testing for web applications involves well-planned, controlled attacks designed to access sensitive information within a web platform (informational website, SaaS application, e-commerce site, etc), aiming to evaluate the web application security posture. Conducted from within or outside the system, these attacks generate insights into the system’s resilience, pinpointing any security gaps and potential threats that could lead to a breach.

 

Scope of web application penetration testing

 

As a result of web application penetration testing, the testers identify the vulnerabilities on the server side and in the functionalities and components of the web application, such as front and back end, etc. The testers will measure their impact and propose remediation measures to improve the overall security posture of the web application.

 

 

 

• One has to understand, that every web application penetration test is unique, and the outcomes will depend on several conditions, with the goals of the web application’s owner being nearly most important. The majority of the pen tests are carried out to find the most critical vulnerabilities as defined by OWASP and other security standards.

 

• When testing the server side of the web application, ethical hackers will focus on poorly secured services, outdated software, and firmware, configuration errors.

 

• With the web application itself, the focus will be such common application vulnerabilities as SQL, XSS, SSTI, etc. injections, access control flaws, possible privilege escalation, authentication, and session management issues, vulnerable third-party components, etc.

 

• Special attention will be given to the vulnerabilities in the APIs, as well as to the search for logical flaws in the workflows of the applications.

 

The benefits of web penetration testing

 

By conducting web application penetration testing you will be able to achieve multiple important benefits, such as:

 

• Identify vulnerabilities. Most importantly, web application pen testing will help you identify flaws in your applications or IT infrastructure. This way you will be able to eliminate these flaws before they are exploited by the attacker.

 

• Meet compliance requirements. It is an explicit requirement in many countries and industries to perform the penetration testing of web applications.

 

• Assess your cybersecurity systems. If you operate some cybersecurity infrastructure, such as firewalls, etc. then you need to test their efficiency and correctness of settings. Web application pen testing includes real-world attacks that will help make these assessments.

 

• Assess your cybersecurity policies. Penetration testing is an excellent way to assess your cybersecurity policies.

 

How to choose a web application penetration testing company?

 

There are several things to look at when choosing a cybersecurity partner to conduct a web application penetration test:

 

• Make sure the cybersecurity company provides web application penetration testing services. Checking the relevant web page on the website will be sufficient in most cases

 

• Check the experience of the company, number of projects, and customer reviews. The latter can be done at clutch.co.

 

• Ask the potential service provider for a quote accompanied by references, a sample of a penetration test report, and any other relevant information

 

• Ask specifically what would be the qualifications of the pentesters to work on your project, such as professional certification of OSCP, OSCE, eWPTX type.

 

• Ask if there will be at least two ethical hackers to work on your project, which is a recommended practice.

 

• Ask for a call with a potential service provider to get a first-hand impression of the company and its employees. Though subjective, this is often an important step to making a decision.

 

• Check for the price. There is no need to overpay to get quality penetration testing services. You can have a small web penetration testing for a simple application starting from 1800 USD.

 

To keep winning in the never-ending cybersecurity battle, you have to know you are protected. The best way to reach it is to conduct a security assessment of your digital assets, which, in most cases, will be called penetration testing.

 

Penetration testing, aka pentesting, is a valuable activity that provides a baseline for planning further activities, aimed to improve the cybersecurity posture of the organization.  

The penetration testing would be a combination of offensive actions taken against some web application, network, cloud infrastructure, or other digital assets, in a controlled manner, without intent to damage the operations of the organization, and by a specially trained ethical hacker. 

 

 

 

 

The purpose of these offensive actions would be to compromise existing cybersecurity defense and take control over the tested digital asset, to “penetrate”, in other words. Penetration testing is a sophisticated and complex process designed to identify, exploit, and report vulnerabilities in the tested asset and provide advice on their remediation. All the valuable information collected during the penetration testing process will be included in the Penetration Test Report, which main part would be a comprehensive list of discovered vulnerabilities, each with a CVSS score, showing the level of its criticality.

 

Pen Testing Services has become a popular and demanded service for good reasons. First and foremost, they provide actionable data for all the technical (and business) executives and managers, that allows making all further cybersecurity efforts more focused and resultative. Organizations get a real chance to remove the vulnerabilities most likely to be used as entry points by cybercriminals. Or, in case of discovery of some critical vulnerability that has been around for a long time, it becomes a reason to conduct a compromise assessment to check for the indicators of compromise. But that’s another story, so talk about it next time.

 

As years pass, there remain fewer companies, that do not require penetration testing. Every company with digital assets, especially online digital assets should consider doing a pentest. In many industries it has already become a regulatory requirement, for instance, in financial services, public services, healthcare, critical infrastructure, military & airspace. So, now it looks not like a question of whether your organization needs or doesn’t need the pentest, but rather why it hasn’t been done yet.

 

To make a decision easier for you, let’s reiterate pentest benefits. It helps:

 

 

• Test existing cybersecurity mechanisms (if any)
• Define possible attack surface and vectors
• Identify the vulnerabilities that pose the greatest threat to your digital assets
• Plan and execute the most efficient way of eliminating of the identified vulnerabilities
• As a result of the above, dramatically improve the general cybersecurity posture of your organization. 

 

However, penetesting is not without its limitations and peculiarities.

• Pentests are somewhat expensive, as a rule, though there are companies that offer excellent price/quality ratio 
• Undesired collateral damage might occur if the testing is conducted on productive systems (sometimes, it’s inevitable, especially in the manufacturing environment). 
• Penetration testing is an excellent exercise however, there are even more advanced forms of security assessments, such as breach and attack simulation, for instance.

 

However, none of the above drawbacks should be a point of concern. Penetration testing is a robust and very efficient measure to improve your cybersecurity posture, when done properly. 

The current landscape of cyber threats has made cybersecurity a top priority not just for large enterprises, but also for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Threat actors, equipped with skilled engineers, developers, and AI capabilities, complicate the task of protecting the digital assets of legitimate businesses and organizations. Understandably, they must put in maximum effort to maintain an efficient cybersecurity posture, but the global shortage of cybersecurity talent doesn’t make things easier. However, there is a solution: White Label SOC service. Let’s discuss it in more detail.

One of the most sought-after cybersecurity services today is online security monitoring, usually provided through Security Operation Centers (SOCs). SOCs act as a hub to help deal with security incidents. While many large businesses or organizations with specific regulatory requirements run their own SOCs, it involves significant capital and operational expenses. Consequently, more organizations are turning to Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) for prompt and efficient cybersecurity services.

SOC-as-a-service is a key component of the standard MSSP offering. However, not all MSSPs or Managed Service Providers (MSPs), where cybersecurity might be just one element of their services portfolio, are willing to invest in their SOCs for various reasons. Instead, they often choose a White Label SOC service. In essence, this means that a specialized cybersecurity company provides MSSPs or MSPs with a ready-made SOC solution that includes people, technology, and processes. MSSPs or MSPs brand this platform accordingly to offer SOC services to their end clients.

This three-way partnership brings numerous benefits to all parties involved. Let’s explore the advantages experienced by MSSPs/MSPs using the White Label SOC service.

White Label SOC Benefits

Cost Savings

Implementing and maintaining an internal SOC demands substantial financial resources. Opting for a White Label SOC service is a great way to minimize or even eliminate the investments needed to offer SOCaaS to external clients. The provider of the White Label SOC covers all operational expenses, allowing the MSSP/MSP partner using this service to save significant amounts in the short, medium, and often long term.

Access to Expertise

Building a qualified team of Tier I, II, III security analysts and other SOC personnel is a complex task that requires a considerable amount of time, money, and organizational effort. If an MSSP/MSP does not already have its own SOC, the most viable option is to acquire it through a White Label SOC service. Operational expenses on the outsourced SOC team will always be much lower compared to building an in-house team, as there is no need to invest in their training.

Rapid Deployment and Scalability

Establishing an internal SOC is a time-consuming process, even for IT service providers. With the swift emergence of new threats, changes in compliance requirements, and the growing demand for online security monitoring and MDR services, MSSPs/MSPs often lack the time to build their own SOCs. The White Label SOC service offers a unique opportunity to introduce the service quickly and scale up or down based on end customers’ demand — a flexibility not easily achieved with an in-house SOC.

Portfolio Enhancement

Choosing a White Label SOC service partner wisely can lead to acquiring more than just one service. Outsourced services like White Label Penetration Testing, vulnerability assessments, network security, compliance consulting, and more can enhance the partner’s capabilities in meeting the cybersecurity demands of its end clients.

Deep Integration

The integration of a White Label SOC service into the operations of the MSSP/MSP is multi-faceted. From the end clients’ perspective, the service will be fully branded and represented as owned and operated by the partner. The platform will bear the partners’ logo, and SOC team members will communicate using the partner’s domain and communication platforms. From the MSSP/MSP’s perspective, the SOC platform can be deeply integrated with its other IT/Cybersecurity solutions, and the outsourced personnel can engage in additional activities beyond SOC responsibilities. This high level of integration provides maximum benefits for the partner choosing the White Label SOC service, extending beyond standard boundaries.

 

 

 

White Label SOC Pricing Overview

White Label SOC pricing is typically tailored for each partner, and while there are standard packages, they often come at a lower cost compared to MSSP pricing. The actual pricing, however, is influenced by the specific requirements of the MSSP/MSP seeking this service.

Pricing Model Agreement: Partners need to agree on the pricing model, whether it’s based on devices, users, traffic, or the number of events. Pricing by device and user is commonly preferred for better predictability.

Service Inclusions: Partners must decide on the core list of services and add-ons, as this choice directly impacts the pricing. For example, considerations should be made regarding whether vulnerability assessments or white label pentesting should be part of the core package.

End Customer Size: Discussions about the expected size of end customers in the short- and medium-term are essential. This information affects rates per user or device.

Custom Packages: If end customers have specific infrastructure or unique needs (such as a large industrial enterprise with extensive OT or a large educational establishment with thousands of campus students), custom-made packages with special pricing may need to be negotiated. A standard approach to Managed Security Service Provider pricing might require significant adaptation in such cases.

Like any complex cybersecurity service, choosing a White Label SOC partner requires careful consideration and thorough negotiation of partnership terms. However, once these stages are completed, MSSPs and MSPs leveraging the White Label SOC gain a strategic advantage in meeting the demands of their end clients seeking protection against modern cybersecurity threats.

The current landscape of cyber threats has made cybersecurity a top priority not just for large enterprises, but also for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Threat actors, equipped with skilled engineers, developers, and AI capabilities, complicate the task of protecting the digital assets of legitimate businesses and organizations. Understandably, they must put in maximum effort to maintain an efficient cybersecurity posture, but the global shortage of cybersecurity talent doesn’t make things easier. However, there is a solution: White Label SOC service. Let’s discuss it in more detail.

 

One of the most sought-after cybersecurity services today is online security monitoring, usually provided through Security Operation Centers (SOCs). SOCs act as a hub to help deal with security incidents. While many large businesses or organizations with specific regulatory requirements run their own SOCs, it involves significant capital and operational expenses. Consequently, more organizations are turning to Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) for prompt and efficient cybersecurity services.

 

 

 

SOC-as-a-service is a key component of the standard MSSP offering. However, not all MSSPs or Managed Service Providers (MSPs), where cybersecurity might be just one element of their services portfolio, are willing to invest in their SOCs for various reasons. Instead, they often choose a White Label SOC service. In essence, this means that a specialized cybersecurity company provides MSSPs or MSPs with a ready-made SOC solution that includes people, technology, and processes. MSSPs or MSPs brand this platform accordingly to offer SOC services to their end clients.

This three-way partnership brings numerous benefits to all parties involved. Let’s explore the advantages experienced by MSSPs/MSPs using the White Label SOC service.

 

White Label SOC Benefits

 

Cost Savings

Implementing and maintaining an internal SOC demands substantial financial resources. Opting for a White Label SOC service is a great way to minimize or even eliminate the investments needed to offer SOCaaS to external clients. The provider of the White Label SOC covers all operational expenses, allowing the MSSP/MSP partner using this service to save significant amounts in the short, medium, and often long term.

Access to Expertise

Building a qualified team of Tier I, II, III security analysts and other SOC personnel is a complex task that requires a considerable amount of time, money, and organizational effort. If an MSSP/MSP does not already have its own SOC, the most viable option is to acquire it through a White Label SOC service. Operational expenses on the outsourced SOC team will always be much lower compared to building an in-house team, as there is no need to invest in their training.

Rapid Deployment and Scalability

Establishing an internal SOC is a time-consuming process, even for IT service providers. With the swift emergence of new threats, changes in compliance requirements, and the growing demand for online security monitoring and MDR services, MSSPs/MSPs often lack the time to build their own SOCs. The White Label SOC service offers a unique opportunity to introduce the service quickly and scale up or down based on end customers’ demand – a flexibility not easily achieved with an in-house SOC.

Portfolio Enhancement

Choosing a White Label SOC service partner wisely can lead to acquiring more than just one service. Outsourced services like White Label Penetration Testing, vulnerability assessments, network security, compliance consulting, and more can enhance the partner’s capabilities in meeting the cybersecurity demands of its end clients.

Deep Integration

The integration of a White Label SOC service into the operations of the MSSP/MSP is multi-faceted. From the end clients’ perspective, the service will be fully branded and represented as owned and operated by the partner. The platform will bear the partners’ logo, and SOC team members will communicate using the partner’s domain and communication platforms. From the MSSP/MSP’s perspective, the SOC platform can be deeply integrated with its other IT/Cybersecurity solutions, and the outsourced personnel can engage in additional activities beyond SOC responsibilities. This high level of integration provides maximum benefits for the partner choosing the White Label SOC service, extending beyond standard boundaries.

 

 

 

White Label SOC Pricing Overview

 

White Label SOC pricing is typically tailored for each partner, and while there are standard packages, they often come at a lower cost compared to MSSP pricing. The actual pricing, however, is influenced by the specific requirements of the MSSP/MSP seeking this service.

Pricing Model Agreement: Partners need to agree on the pricing model, whether it’s based on devices, users, traffic, or the number of events. Pricing by device and user is commonly preferred for better predictability.

Service Inclusions: Partners must decide on the core list of services and add-ons, as this choice directly impacts the pricing. For example, considerations should be made regarding whether vulnerability assessments or white label pentesting should be part of the core package.

End Customer Size: Discussions about the expected size of end customers in the short- and medium-term are essential. This information affects rates per user or device.

Custom Packages: If end customers have specific infrastructure or unique needs (such as a large industrial enterprise with extensive OT or a large educational establishment with thousands of campus students), custom-made packages with special pricing may need to be negotiated. A standard approach to Managed Security Service Provider pricing might require significant adaptation in such cases.

Like any complex cybersecurity service, choosing a White Label SOC partner requires careful consideration and thorough negotiation of partnership terms. However, once these stages are completed, MSSPs and MSPs leveraging the White Label SOC gain a strategic advantage in meeting the demands of their end clients seeking protection against modern cybersecurity threats.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, businesses seek reliable solutions to safeguard their digital assets. Among the array of cybersecurity services available, White Label Security Operations Center (SOC) services have emerged as a strategic choice, offering unparalleled protection and brand consistency. 

White Label SOC Services: Empowering Businesses with Customized Security

White Label SOC services, also known as White Label Security Operations, revolutionize the way businesses approach cybersecurity. This model allows organizations to outsource their security operations to a specialized provider, who then delivers comprehensive security services under the client’s brand. This strategic approach ensures a seamless integration of advanced security measures without compromising the client’s brand identity.

Key Benefits of White Label SOC Services:

1. Brand Consistency:

   White Label SOC services empower businesses to maintain a consistent brand image while offering top-tier cybersecurity solutions. The external provider operates in the background, allowing clients to showcase their brand strength and reliability to their customers.

2. Cost-Efficiency:

   Outsourcing security operations through a White Label SOC service provider eliminates the need for substantial upfront investments in building an in-house security infrastructure. This cost-effective approach ensures that businesses of all sizes can access state-of-the-art cybersecurity without breaking the bank.

3. Expertise Access:

   Leveraging a White Label SOC service means tapping into the expertise of seasoned professionals dedicated to monitoring and addressing security threats. This expertise ensures that businesses stay one step ahead of cyber adversaries, mitigating risks effectively.

4. Scalability:

   White Label SOC services offer scalability, allowing organizations to adjust their security measures according to the changing threat landscape and business requirements.

MSSP Pricing: Decoding Transparent Managed Security Service Provider Pricing

Understanding Managed Security Service Provider pricing is a critical aspect of implementing effective cybersecurity solutions. MSSPs offer a range of services, from threat detection and response to vulnerability management, and their pricing models vary. Transparent pricing ensures that businesses can make informed decisions and plan their cybersecurity budget effectively.

Key Considerations in MSSP Pricing:

1. Service Tiers:

   MSSP pricing often includes different service tiers, each offering a specific set of cybersecurity services. Businesses should assess their security needs and choose a tier that aligns with their requirements and budget.

2. Customization Options:

   Some MSSPs provide customizable packages to accommodate the unique needs of businesses. Customization allows organizations to pay for the specific services they need, optimizing their cybersecurity investment.

3. Contract Terms:

   The duration of the contract is a crucial factor in MSSP pricing. Long-term contracts may offer cost savings, but businesses should ensure flexibility to adapt to changing security needs.

4. Service Level Agreements (SLAs):

   Transparent MSSPs provide clear SLAs that outline the level of service, response times, and guarantees. Businesses should thoroughly review SLAs to ensure that the MSSP meets their expectations.

In conclusion

Combining the power of White Label SOC services with a clear understanding of MSSP pricing is a strategic move for businesses prioritizing cybersecurity. By choosing a reliable White Label SOC service provider and navigating transparent MSSP pricing structures, organizations can fortify their digital defenses, uphold brand consistency, and ensure a resilient and future-ready security posture.