Best Practices for Hiring a Pen Tester for Your Business Successfully

A pen-tester is an individual who conducts assessments of security vulnerabilities. The test is made to help companies improve their defenses. The experts identify potential flaws in computer systems and networks. They also determine gaps in policies and procedures. These tests can range from lengthy to quick assessments, depending on the client’s needs and budget. The following are some of the best practices you should follow if you are looking for a professional pen-tester.

Find Out for Whom and What You’re Looking

This is the most crucial step in determining your needs before finding a pen-tester. Getting the right people on board will not be easy if you have no idea why you need a pen-tester. Also, please do not assume that they can help you with everything because they are a pen-tester. Know what their level of expertise is before going any further.

Check Their Credentials and Certifications

A web search is crucial in the search for an ideal service provider. Consider whether their certification or degree in cyber security matters for your situation during your search. If it does, make sure you can verify their credentials before hiring. This includes online verification of their degrees. Reputed firms will also provide essential information on the service on their site. This may consist of the PTAAS book, among other guidelines, to ensure you get top-notch services.

Know the Reasons Why You Need to Hire a Pen-Tester

What are the reasons that we need a pen-tester? If you do not have any particular reason or scenario in mind, you can skip hiring one. This can be anything from wanting to improve your security or laying out new strategies and procedures for your company. If you have a given scenario in mind and need to improve your effectiveness or vulnerability, let an experienced pen-tester know the test has a purpose beforehand.

Check Their Availability for Travel for a Specific Duration of Time

You must understand the limitations of your pen-tester before signing them up. Ask them how much travel they expect from their clients. It is also vital to ask how long they are available for that particular assignment. If you need to contact them regularly, check their availability. For example, check their daily business hours to know when you can get them. If you do not want them to travel frequently, ask if they can only work from specific locations.

Ask How You Can Pay Them

How will you pay them for PTAAS? If they are charging a fee, this is an essential factor to consider. If not, do they charge a flat fee or by the hour? Also, ask if you need to provide any equipment or facilities for their work. Will they be working away from their office/home/hotel room? Who will be paying for this, and where will you send the invoice for payment?

Ensure That You Have a Closed Loop of Communication With Your Pen-Tester

Have a clear understanding of how you will be communicating with them. Will they be sending you their reports directly or via their company? How often will these meetings occur? Also, have a clear timeline to get all the information organized. This is also known as the communication loop. Some pen-testers see this as an unnecessary job for the client. However, they need to keep the client in the loop if there are any last-minute changes.

Pen testers are security experts who attempt to find potential vulnerabilities within your organization. Unlike other cybersecurity professionals, they are not constrained by organizational policy or procedure. Therefore, they have a high level of freedom for testing and reporting. As a business owner, you want to hire the best pen-tester for your needs. To do this, you need to understand what they do and how they can benefit your business.