Pentest: Why, how much, how?

It’s a common misconception that only large companies are targeted by hackers. Yet 45% of cyber attacks target small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).₁. Why? Because they are often less well prepared, with limited or obsolete safety measures.

The consequences of an attack can be catastrophic: loss of sensitive data, business interruption, damage to reputation, and of course high costs to repair the damage. Yet these risks can be greatly reduced thanks to a simple but effective practice: penetration testing, more commonly known as pentesting.

In this article, we’ll look at why pentests are essential for SMEs, and why opting for automatic pentests is often a solution better suited to the time and budget constraints of smaller structures.

_{1-According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)}

Pentests: a method for detecting invisible faults

What is a pentest?

A pentest (or penetration test) is a simulated attack carried out to assess the security of a computer system. Imagine a tester who puts himself in the shoes of a hacker to detect weak points in your network, your applications or even your connected equipment.

Here’s what a pentest can analyze:

• Flaws in your web or mobile applications
• Vulnerabilities in your internal or external network
• Cloud infrastructure security
• Risks associated with IoT (Internet of Things) devices

In short, the aim is to discover vulnerabilities before an ill-intentioned hacker does.

Why are pentests essential for SMEs?

SMEs, often limited in resources, have everything to gain by investing in regular pentests. Here are the main advantages:

1. Prevent cyber-attacks
   A pentest identifies vulnerabilities in your system, enabling you to correct them before they are exploited by hackers.
2. Comply with regulations
   In some sectors, complying with standards such as RGPD or ISO 27001 is mandatory. Pentests help prove that you’re taking the necessary steps to protect your customers’ data.
3. Limit financial losses
   A cybersecurity incident can be very costly. Pentests are an investment that can prevent much higher costs associated with attacks.
4. Strengthen your customers’ trust
   When you prove that your systems are secure, you gain credibility with your partners and customers.

Automatic pentests: the right solution for SMEs

The limits of traditional pentests

A manual pentest is often carried out by a cybersecurity expert, who analyzes your systems in detail. Although this approach is extremely effective, it does have its limitations:

• High cost: Manual pentests can represent a major investment, sometimes out of reach for SMEs.
• Completion time: It often takes several weeks to complete a full pentest.

This is where automatic pentests come in.

What is an automatic pentest?

An automated pentest uses software tools to carry out a complete analysis of your system, without the need for extensive human intervention. These tools scan your infrastructures, identify vulnerabilities, and provide detailed reports on the flaws detected.

Why do automatic pentests make sense for SMEs?

1. Speed and efficiency
   Unlike time-consuming manual testing, an automated pentest can be carried out in a matter of hours or days. This enables vulnerabilities to be identified quickly and action taken accordingly.
2. Low cost
   Automatic tools are much less expensive than manual pentests, making them accessible even to small companies on a limited budget.
3. Regular scans
   With automatic pentesting, frequent scans can be carried out to maintain a constant level of security.
4. Ease of use
   Automatic pentesting solutions are often designed to be simple to use, even without in-depth technical expertise.

How much does an automated pentest cost?

The cost of an automatic pentest varies according to the size and complexity of the environment to be analyzed. For an SME with a few hundred workstations and 1 or 2 external sites, you can expect to pay around $5,000 for two annual pentests.

This rate generally includes :

• A detailed vulnerability analysis
• A full report with recommendations for correcting the flaws

This price is well below that of a manual pentest, which can cost several tens of thousands of dollars, and remains largely affordable when you consider the potential losses in the event of a successful attack.

How do you choose the right approach for your business?

There is no universal solution. It all depends on your budget, your security needs and the complexity of your system. Here are a few tips to help you decide:

• If you have critical or highly sensitive systems, opt for a manual pentest or a combination of manual and automatic analyses.
• If your budget is limited, start with an automatic pentest for a quick and affordable analysis.
• Make sure you correct any vulnerabilities identified after each test to maintain a good security posture.

Conclusion: pentests, an essential investment for SMEs

Whether you’re a growing small business or an established SME, investing in pentests is an essential step in protecting your data, reputation and finances. Automatic pentesting, in particular, offers a practical and cost-effective solution for rapidly detecting vulnerabilities and maintaining robust cybersecurity.

Don’t let hackers take advantage of your weaknesses. Act now to secure your systems and guarantee the future of your business.