As a C-suite executive or information security officer, you know that having a SOC provider is essential for protecting your network and data from cyber threats. But how can you be sure that your provider is doing their job effectively? One way to evaluate their efficacy is by performing penetration testing on your current SOC.
Why Penetration Testing Is Important
Penetration testing, also known as "pen testing," is a simulated attack on your network to identify vulnerabilities and test the effectiveness of your security measures. By performing pen testing on your current SOC, you can evaluate how well your provider is detecting and responding to threats.
Pen testing can also help you identify any weaknesses in your network that may have been overlooked by your provider, giving you the opportunity to strengthen your security measures and better protect your business.
How to Perform Penetration Testing on Your SOC
To perform penetration testing on your current SOC, you can hire a third-party provider, like MindPoint Group, that specializes in pen testing services. They will simulate a real-world attack on your network and evaluate how well your provider is able to respond.
The pen testing provider will provide a detailed report of their findings, including any vulnerabilities that were identified and recommendations for how to improve your security measures. You can then use this information to work with your managed SOC provider to make necessary changes and improve the effectiveness of your security measures.
Benefits of Penetration Testing
Performing penetration testing on your current SOC has several benefits, including:
- Identifying vulnerabilities: Pen testing gives you the opportunity to strengthen your security measures and better protect your business by identifying gaps and vulnerabilities. By helping you identify weaknesses in your network, Pen testing can help you locate and secure opportunities for better security that may have been overlooked by your managed SOC provider.
- Evaluating provider effectiveness: Pen testing can help you evaluate how well your provider is detecting and responding to threats, giving you insight into their effectiveness and helping you make informed decisions about your security measures.
- Compliance: Penetration testing is often required for compliance with industry regulations and standards, such as FedRAMP, NIST, PCI, DSS, and HIPAA.
Conclusion
Performing penetration testing on your current SOC is an important step in evaluating your SOC provider and identifying any weaknesses in your network. By working with a third-party provider to perform pen testing, you can gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of your security measures and make informed decisions about how to strengthen your network and hold your managed SOC accountable.
Ready to evaluate the effectiveness of your managed SOC provider? Contact us to learn more about MPG’s penetration testing services.
Contributors:
Mason Prince - SME
Hailey Frazier - Editor
Jacob Kang - Graphic Design
