{"id":3723,"date":"2025-05-23T07:38:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T05:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enthec.com\/?p=3723"},"modified":"2025-05-23T07:38:04","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T05:38:04","slug":"main-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-pentesting-in-a-company","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enthec.com\/en\/main-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-pentesting-in-a-company\/","title":{"rendered":"Main advantages and disadvantages of pentesting in a company"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cybersecurity is, now more than ever, a priority for any organization. As digital threats evolve, so must the strategies to detect and prevent them. <\/span><\/p>\n

In this context,<\/span> pentesting <\/b>(or penetration testing) has become a key practice for assessing the security level of a company’s computer systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

But is it enough to make a<\/span> pentesting<\/span> punctual? What limitations does it have? And most importantly, how can a company complement this practice to maintain an <\/span>active and continuous security posture<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout this article, we will answer these questions, addressing the main<\/span> advantages and disadvantages of<\/b> pentesting<\/b>, and analyzing how tools such as<\/span> Kartos<\/span><\/a> by Enthec can take threat management further.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is <\/b>pentesting<\/i><\/b>, and what is it for?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Pentesting<\/span>, also known as pentesting, consists of a controlled simulation of a computer attack to<\/span> detect vulnerabilities<\/span><\/a> in systems, networks, applications, or IT infrastructures. That is, it is about <\/span>putting yourself in the shoes of an attacker to see what weaknesses could be exploited.<\/b><\/p>\n

This exercise, conducted by security experts, allows organizations to <\/span>identify critical failures<\/b> before cybercriminals can exploit them. It’s one of the most direct ways to test whether current security measures work. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Main phases of<\/b> pentesting<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

A professional penetration test usually follows a well-defined methodology. These are the main <\/span>phases of <\/b>pentesting<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Recognition:<\/b> collection of information about the target (such as IP addresses, domains, services, etc.).<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Scanning and enumeration<\/b>: identification of active systems and open services.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Exploitation:<\/b> attempt to exploit detected vulnerabilities.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Privilege escalation:<\/b> if access is gained, an attempt is made to increase control.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Pentesting<\/b> report:<\/b> compilation of all findings, including vulnerabilities, risk level, and recommendations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The<\/span> pentesting<\/span> report is, in many cases, the starting point for correcting security errors and strengthening systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \"Pentesting\"<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Highlighted advantages of <\/b>pentesting<\/b><\/h2>\n

    1. Discovery of real vulnerabilities<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Unlike automatic scanners<\/span>, pentesting<\/span> goes further by reproducing real attack scenarios. This allows for <\/span>detecting weaknesses that could go unnoticed<\/b> by other methods.<\/span><\/p>\n

    2. Impact assessment<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Pentesting not only identifies vulnerabilities but also helps<\/span> measure the real impact they could have<\/b> if exploited. This helps prioritize the most urgent corrective actions. <\/span><\/p>\n

    3. Improved security awareness<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Performing<\/span> pentesting<\/span> periodically allows technical and management teams to<\/span> better understand the risks<\/b> they face. It can also serve as a basis for internal training plans. <\/span><\/p>\n

    4. Regulatory compliance<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Many safety regulations and standards (such as<\/span> ISO 27001<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> PCI-DSS, or RGPD<\/b>) recommend or require penetration testing as part of security audits.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Disadvantages of pentesting<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Although it is a very valuable tool, <\/span>pentesting<\/span> is not without limitations.<\/span> Knowing your weaknesses is key to complementing this practice effectively<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    1. Photograph of a specific moment<\/b><\/h3>\n

    One of the biggest drawbacks of<\/span> pentesting<\/span> is that it offers a<\/span> static vision<\/b> of security: Analysis is performed at a specific point in time. Without ongoing review, new threats can easily slip under the radar. <\/span><\/p>\n

    2. It does not cover 100% of possible vectors<\/b><\/h3>\n

    No matter how hard you try to cover all fronts, there is always a margin of error.<\/span> New vulnerabilities may emerge the next day <\/b>of the test, or even remain hidden during the test.<\/span><\/p>\n

    3. Economic cost and limited resources<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Pentesting<\/span> requires time, qualified experts, and sometimes a considerable investment. Furthermore, their frequency is limited by the available budget. <\/span><\/p>\n

    4. Operational risk<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Although controlled tests, pentests can generate<\/span> interruptions or system crashes<\/b> if not executed cautiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Kartos: the perfect complement to pentesting<\/b><\/h2>\n

    This is where Kartos, Enthec’s solution for companies, comes in. While <\/span>pentesting<\/span> gives us a snapshot, Kartos offers<\/span> continuous cyber surveillance,<\/b> allowing changes in a company’s exhibition area to be detected almost in real time.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Kartos is designed as a Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) tool. This means that instead of performing an annual or semi-annual review, <\/span>it maintains constant monitoring<\/b>, detecting new vulnerabilities, incorrect configurations, or information leaks on the network.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Its advantages include:<\/span><\/p>\n