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Penetration Testing (pentesting) and Risk Assessments are both parts of a SOC2 audit control framework but they serve very different purposes and sometimes can be confused for each other.
Risk Assessment: The Plan
A risk assessment is a comprehensive threat analysis on your security. It involves identifying your assets (sensitive data, critical systems), the potential threats they face (hackers, malware, physical danger), and the likelihood and impact of those threats becoming reality. The outcome is a roadmap highlighting your vulnerabilities and how to respond if they are exploited.
Penetration Testing: The Test
Pentesting is when an ethical hacker is hired to find ways to exploit your system, environment, or application. Pentesters will use various techniques to try and break into your systems, mimicking the methods real malicious actors would use. They uncover exploitable vulnerabilities within your applications, networks, and even physical security. Pentesting delivers a detailed report of how attackers could get in, and the steps needed to fix those weaknesses.
Risk Assessments and Penetration Testing are crucial components of a robust SOC2 compliance strategy, they serve distinct and complementary purposes in safeguarding your organization's assets. By implementing both, you create a comprehensive security approach that not only identifies potential vulnerabilities but also actively tests your defenses against real-world attack scenarios.
Contact MSP Pentesting now to learn how our expert team can guide you through both Risk Assessments and Penetration Testing, ensuring your startup is well-prepared for a SOC2 audit and beyond.
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