Small businesses considering whether to undergo penetration testing to evaluate their security against cyberattacks need only look at the statistics. Over half of small businesses have undergone a cyberattack, according to Forbes. And the FBI is reporting that, since COVID-19, cybercrime has risen by an astonishing 300%.
When a company’s data is breached, it’s common for companies to be in the dark about where the gaps were. But penetration testing informs you about your security gaps and vulnerabilities ahead of a breach.
Penetration testing aids in assessing the security of your IT systems and targets, identifies, and provides steps for remediation. It helps improve your overall risk posture.
And the price of penetration testing, compared with the cost of a data breach, is not even close. Small businesses saw a 26.8% increase in data breach costs from 2020 to 2021, according to IBM’s “Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021.” Penetration testing’s average price tag for small businesses runs about 1% of the cost of a data breach. This is a case where a small investment yields exponential cost savings.
Need more convincing?
Top 5 reasons your business needs penetration testing
- Protect Your Business from Cyberattacks — 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, according to Verizon. Why? Cybercriminals assume the security isn’t as bulletproof at SMBs, like that of a larger company that has more resources. With a penetration test, there’s no more guessing about your security risks. Penetration tests disclose how potential hackers can exploit existing vulnerabilities, revealing information you need to deploy solutions to bolster your security and keep your business safe.
- Dodge Downtime — From the effort it takes to patch vulnerabilities, identify changes that were made from a cyberattack and remediate them, to the wasted cost of idle workers, the clock is ticking when you’re experiencing downtime. Gartner estimates that the average cost of downtime is $5,600 per minute – a little more than the cost of buying three 2022 Cadillac Escalades per hour. Ouch.
- Meet Compliance — Your industry has to comply with regulatory standards, such as PCI DSS if you accept customer payments with a credit card. Penetration testing not only helps you expose existing gaps in your security; it ensures you’re in compliance. Meeting compliance standards helps you avoid expensive fines and penalties you could incur if you’re caught in noncompliance, affording funds to be allocated to something positive, like the growth of your business.
- Maintain Your Reputation — Customer trust is one of your most valuable assets. Where would you be without word of mouth? The health of your business depends on its reputation. Businesses that risk a cyberattack are risking the loss of their clients’ data, which results in unhappy customers. Your customers need to depend on your security to protect their data, and you need their trust to grow your business – and revenue. A penetration test is a solid step in keeping your clients’ data secure and your reputation strong.
- Keep Your Business Healthy – Once a breach has already happened, it’s too late. No less than six out of 10 businesses that endure a cyberattack end up having to close down within six months of the attack, according to Inc. Investing in penetration testing helps to prepare for an attack by providing insights on what changes you need to make to bolster your security, keep your data safe, and strengthen your business.
How We Help
The most crucial part of exploring your penetration test options is securing a report from a company you trust. Our penetration tests are performed by prior Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial cybersecurity experts, who use specialized skills to assess your implemented technologies and overall security posture.
We deliver valuable insights into the state of your network security and security products, which are documented into an actionable report. Our penetrating tests discover how well your network and applications can withstand simulated real-world attacks.
Don’t let security become an afterthought – let us help you outmaneuver cybercriminals.