With the migration of the organization operations into the cloud the security environment has become much broader than the conventional IT boundaries. Nowadays, the threats can be caused by the internet, internal network, or the cloud platform. In order to ensure an effective cybersecurity posture, companies need to incorporate both the cloud penetration testing and the network penetration testing into their security programs.
The two tests do not replace each other and will see to it that not only is your cloud infrastructure resilient to contemporary cyber threats but your underlying network systems are also.
The basics of Cloud Penetration Testing
Cloud penetration testing is aimed at determining vulnerabilities in cloud-based infrastructure, such as services as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Cloud testing also unlike on-premises testing adheres to the shared responsibility model, which the responsibility of ensuring security is shared between the cloud provider and the client.
An average test of a cloud penetration assesses:
- Security group misconfigurations or IAM roles.
- Resources as storage buckets or publicly exposed APIs.
- Weak access controls or unavailable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- A policy on data encryption of in-transit data and at-rest data.
- Violation of such standards as ISO 27017, SOC 2, and GDPR.
Cloud testing emulates the actual attack in real-world conditions to reveal the errors in identity management, infrastructure setting and inter-service communications.
What Is Network Penetration Testing?
Whereas cloud testing involves the analysis of hosted environments, network penetration testing is focused on the support of the underlying IT infrastructure of your organization. It mimics the external and internal threats that tend to use vulnerable areas in routers, firewalls, VPNs and servers.
The process includes:
- External Testing: Simulation of external attackers investigating systems accessible via the internet.
- Internal Testing: Measuring insider threats or post-breach lateral movement.
- The most important functionality is Privilege Escalation Checks: assessing the level of ease with which user permissions may be compromised.
- Vulnerability Scanning and Exploitation: Recognizing exploitable vulnerabilities through systems.
- Reporting: Guiding IT and compliance teams into action.
Network penetration testing in combination with cloud assessment means that no single-entry point is left unmonitored.
Why You Need Both Tests
The contemporary infrastructures are based on the smooth integration of the on-premises infrastructure and cloud services. The unprotected network may reveal cloud resources, and malfunctioning cloud settings may provide access routes to the internal systems. Both the cloud penetration testing and the network penetration testing provide:
- Extensive Threat Protection: Assets Resilience: Find vulnerabilities in hybrid environments.
- Operational Continuity: Induce less downtime due to possible breaches.
- Regulatory Compliance: Address the requirements of the data protection authorities.
- Better Visibility: Discover your security stance in all environments.
Dual Testing Framework of Aardwolf Security
In Aardwolf Security, our certified testers employ both automation and manual skills to provide realistic penetration tests.
We have a combined testing model which involves:
1. Scoping and Asset Identification -Boundaries on cloud and network resources.
2. Discovery and Vulnerability Enumeration.
3. Controlled Exploitation -Testing vulnerabilities in a safe manner.
4. Impact Assessment – Scaling the risk and capitalise opportunity.
5. Comprehensive Reporting- Providing technical and executive summaries.
All our tests are in agreement with AWS, Azure, and GCP penetration testing policies.
An advantage of Combined Testing.
- Increased security stance through hybrid architectures.
- Operationalized information that facilitates rapid response to risks.
- Authenticated security of sensitive corporate and customer information.
- Added customer confidence and brand equity.
Conclusion
The boundary between cloud and network infrastructure has been erased. Organizations can only be assured of the real end-to-end protection by integrating the cloud penetration testing and network penetration testing. The expert-based testing methodology used by Aardwolf Security assists corporate to identify, rank, and resolve weaknesses before they can be used by hackers and intruders ensuring that your systems are safe in all circumstances.
