Cyber security has been a board issue for the last several years, its importance cannot disputed. Attitudes have changed from ‘we’re too small for an attack’ or ‘we have no meaningful data to steal’ to wider acceptance that every business – large, small, regardless of industry – can be a target. For many businesses, this recognition of the need for comprehensive cyber security – employing practices like penetrating testing services – is just the first step.

Statistics aside, the severity of the threat is reinforced by a look at the media headlines on any given day. A case in point is Carpetright, the latest company in the news, who had to close its doors, both online and physical shops, due to a cyber-attack that took down its systems. And that is not to mention some other well-known brands in the headlines over the last few months, including the British Library, veterinary group CVS, and Southern Water. In the case of the British Library, the attack culminated in October 2023 (with the loss of employee and customer data) and the institution is still being affected with its online systems and services unavailable.

For all businesses, the impact of a cyber-attack can be catastrophic. An attack or data breach can result in loss of customer and market confidence, loss of revenue and huge fines (for data breaches) if the organisation doesn’t have the right measures, such as Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001, in place. Or, worst case scenario, cessation of trading. And that’s not to mention the cost of cybercrime to the wider economy – £27bn per year.

With that in mind – what does comprehensive cyber security look like? It looks different for every business, but ultimately, is about using a host of tools and services in combination to get the best result. This includes penetration testing services. Penetration testing is carried out by cyber security experts – ethical hackers from a security testing company – who simulate attacks on an organisation in order to identify gaps in defences and potential vulnerabilities.

Last year, 49% of UK businesses sought help from external cyber security consultants with 11% using penetration testing services. And this is likely to rise, in response to the increase in cyber-attacks – according to the IMF, they have more than doubled since the pandemic.

So, what are the benefits of using penetration testing consulting services?

The aim of penetration testing is to expose vulnerabilities in an organisation’s cyber security with a view to plugging the gaps and mitigating risk. More than that, the service has additional benefits for the organisation. It not only gives you confidence that your defences are as strong or capable as they can be, but also provides a valuable learning opportunity for staff. It is often the reaction to a cyberattack that has the biggest impact on an organisation’s resilience and recovery – if your staff are aware of the cyber security strategy, what they should do in an attack and who is responsible for which actions, there is a better chance for a quicker recovery. In addition, penetration testing can help you meet compliance and reduce insurance premiums. It can also give your customers and stakeholders further assurance that their data is safe.

The short answer here is: a professional security testing company. The longer answer is that you should find a cyber security partner with the right credentials and the right experience – someone you can trust.

Why is this important? Firstly, you need assurances that the testing they are carrying out is valid and that they correctly identify any vulnerabilities and secondly, a professional penetration testing company will ensure that there will be no unplanned disruption to your business, such as crashed servers or downed networks.

RightCue has both the expertise and experience to deliver professional penetration testing services. We are a CREST penetration testing certified company – CREST is an international accreditation body for technical information security organisations that ensures they meet the highest standards of quality and service. CREST is recognised by many regulators and compliance bodies which can help you along your compliance journey.

Apart from being CREST certified for penetration testing, RightCue has an in-depth understanding of business, technology and regulations, and has an excellent reputation in the industry.

There is little doubt that cyberattacks are on the rise and businesses need to make sure they do all they can to mitigate the risk of an attack and boost their cyber resilience. While there are a number of ways to do this, one way is to employ penetration testing services that seek out vulnerabilities and gaps in security. The important thing is to choose and work with an expert provider to carry out these tests – ensuring the highest levels of quality and service, and ultimately keeping your business safe.