Latest news with #penetrationTesting
Fast Company
09-07-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Think you're secure? Prove it. Why penetration testing is your best defense against a breach
Ninety-six percent of cybersecurity leaders are confident in their ability to detect and respond to security incidents in real time—but then again, so is everyone… until they're breached. In reality, it takes an average of 272 days from identification to containment. Cyber threats are getting faster, smarter, and more destructive. Nearly half of organizations report increased attack frequency over the past year. 43% say attacks are also more severe. Adversaries now use automation, AI -powered phishing, and stealthy tactics that weaponize legitimate system tools to move through networks and remain undetected by traditional defenses. And while 53% of business leaders admit they're unprepared for AI-powered threats, few have taken meaningful steps to adapt. Instead, many continue to rely on outdated strategies—simple point solutions, such as firewalls, automated vulnerability scans, and training programs, which simply can't keep up on their own. What cybersecurity leaders are missing is that adaptive, intelligence-driven penetration testing is a basic, cost-effective tool that can identify those cybersecurity blind spots before they become tomorrow's headline. Most companies won't fail because they weren't warned. They'll fail because they never stepped into an attacker's shoes. Without testing their defenses or uncovering the easy entry points, they leave themselves exposed. To stay ahead, organizations must adopt a cybercriminal's mindset—know the enemy, anticipate their moves, and shore up weaknesses before they're exploited. Here are the three most common—and costly—blind spots pen testers discover on a daily basis. Mistake #1: Skipping The Fundamentals It's 2025—and yet the same avoidable flaws keep showing up in breach reports. Misconfigured security settings Weak or reused passwords Unpatched software Missing multi-factor authentication Exposed admin tools facing the public internet These aren't sophisticated zero-day exploits. They're basic errors—and they persist because of lax asset management, poor cyber hygiene, and unclear incident remediation assignments. Mistake #2: Blind Faith In Firewalls A firewall isn't a security strategy. It's a tool—and one that's often misused. Too many organizations deploy enterprise-grade firewalls and assume they're covered. But without regular validation, misconfigured rules, outdated protocols, and overly broad access turn the best firewall into a false sense of security. And they don't help when the threat is already inside. 95% of cyber breaches today are caused by human error. Your firewall might be strong, but it can't stop an employee from letting attackers in through a phishing link or misused credentials. Mistake #3: Believing Automated Vulnerability Scanning Alone Can Secure You Continuous vulnerability scanning is a good starting point for improving your threat visibility, but it's not enough. Automated tools only flag known issues based on predefined rules. What they can't do is think like attackers. They don't combine flaws, move laterally, or target weak business logic. Against today's threats, organizations need to simulate real attacks and expose how a malicious actor could chain together small oversights into a full-scale compromise. If your only line of defense is what your scanner detects, your attacker—who sees far more—already has the upper hand. With penetration testing, these avoidable mistakes are discovered and remediated long before the attacker's strike. However, up to one in three companies don't effectively implement penetration tests on a regular basis. This is a major mistake. PENETRATION TESTING—YOUR BEST REALITY CHECK Security awareness training won't matter if your team still clicks the wrong link under pressure. A firewall won't help if its rules haven't been reviewed in a year. And a vulnerability scan won't show you how deep an attacker could go. That's why penetration testing is essential. Pen tests replicate how attackers behave, identifying vulnerabilities (both within your tech stack and among your staff), demonstrating how they could be exploited, and revealing what data is at risk. These tests routinely uncover critical issues like employee training gaps, exposed APIs, hardcoded credentials, outdated encryption protocols, and weak identity controls—all things compliance checklists and automated tools often miss. HERE'S HOW IT REALLY WORKS Penetration testing is a controlled battlefield simulation—where ethical hackers do bad for good. Trained to think like cybercriminals, they begin with quiet reconnaissance scouring public data for weaknesses: leaked credentials, forgotten subdomains, DNS records, even source code in public repositories. Every overlooked asset is treated as a potential entry point—because that's exactly how a real attacker would see it. Then they scan your systems, finding open ports, exposed services, and soft spots in your infrastructure. But instead of stopping there, they attack—using real tactics: credential stuffing, privilege escalation, and lateral movement. They'll probe your defenses, pivot across systems, and extract sensitive data—not to cause harm, but to show you exactly how an attacker would do it. And they don't leave you with a generic PDF. They deliver a narrative: how they gained access, what they accessed, and step-by-step remediation guidance that your team can use immediately. If you can't remember the last time you tested your defenses like an attacker would (or don't want to admit how long it's been), you're overdue. Penetration testing won't solve every security challenge. But it will show you where you're vulnerable, where your assumptions break down, and what it would take for someone to bring your business to a halt. It's just one important piece of a layered defense—not a silver bullet. True resilience comes from combining penetration testing with continuous monitoring, timely patching, security awareness, and a culture of accountability across the organization. The most forward-thinking organizations are adopting integrated platforms that embed pen testing directly into continuous integration, delivery, and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and cloud environments. While not every company needs 24/7 red teaming, every company needs a minimum cadence—ideally twice a year—to catch what your tech stack and staff inevitably miss. Think you're secure? Prove it. Let a trained penetration tester do what attackers are already trying—so you can fix the flaws before they exploit them.
National Post
10-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Horizon3.ai Raises $100M to Cement Leadership in Autonomous Security
Article content SAN FRANCISCO — the company behind the NodeZero® Autonomous Security Platform, today announced a $100 million Series D funding round led by NEA, with participation from SignalFire, Craft Ventures and 9Yards Capital. As part of the investment, Lila Tretikov, Partner and Head of AI Strategy at NEA and former Deputy CTO of Microsoft, will join the Board of Directors. Article content 'Over the past four years, we've proven that using AI to hack companies isn't science fiction—it's real, and it's delivering measurable results at scale. There are now over 3,000 organizations using NodeZero globally to conduct penetration tests. We're sustaining 100%+ year-over-year ARR growth, and we are now Rule of 40-positive, which means we're not just growing—we're growing efficiently,' said Snehal Antani, CEO and Co-founder of 'This raise marks the next chapter in our mission to lead the Autonomous Security category.' Article content 'Security teams are tired of chasing CVEs, false positives, and compliance checkboxes. They want to find and fix what actually matters, verify it's resolved, and go home early,' said Antani. 'The hardest part of the job as a CIO is deciding what not to fix. The second hardest part is proving to the board that your security initiatives are meaningfully reducing risk. NodeZero plays a critical role in reducing your threat exposure over time.' Article content Targeting an $80B Total Addressable Market: Autonomous Security Article content The cybersecurity market is undergoing a generational shift. NodeZero successfully compromised a bank in 4 minutes with no humans required, far faster than the reaction time of the bank's security team and their best-in-class tools. Similarly, adversaries are leveraging AI to exponentially increase the sophistication, complexity, speed and scale of attacks. The thesis is simple: the future of cyber will be algorithms fighting algorithms—at machine speed—with humans by exception. This requires a fundamental rebuild of every part of the cybersecurity stack. And to do so effectively, you need a deep understanding of how attackers operate—and an AI system that can use offensive insights to drive defensive improvements. is leading this shift. Article content ' has already realized what others are just beginning to imagine. NodeZero is a fully autonomous security system operating in live production environments—executing real attacks, uncovering real risk, and delivering real results,' said Antani. Article content Powered by reinforcement learning, graph reasoning, and AI, NodeZero doesn't simulate adversaries—it thinks and acts like one. Each cyber attack against production systems executed by NodeZero collects training data used to improve its algorithms, creating a compounding data advantage that no other platform can match. This is the foundation for the next era of cybersecurity, where AI doesn't just find risk, but continuously improves defenses. isn't chasing the future—it's building it. Article content With this funding, Horizon3 is accelerating across three strategic fronts: Article content Scale through partners – Doubling down on its partner ecosystem to meet growing demand across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. Product innovation – Expanding into web application pentesting, vulnerability management, and precision defense, where NodeZero can remediate findings and tune defensive tools. Winning the federal market – Scaling its success with the Defense Industrial Base through the NSA's Continuous Autonomous Pentesting (CAPT) program, accelerating FedRAMP High usage, and expanding into Secret and Top Secret workloads to help secure the nation's most mission-critical systems. Article content 'What drew us to is the clarity of their mission and the speed at which they're executing it,' said Aaron Jacobson, Partner at NEA. 'They are defining a new security category—autonomous security—and are already the go-to solution for red and blue teams alike. We're thrilled to lead this round and support the company's next phase of growth.' Article content 'Snehal and the team are tackling one of the biggest problems in cybersecurity: automating both sides to ensure maximum defensibility against automated and AI-driven attacks,' said Lila Tretikov, Partner and Head of AI Strategy at NEA. 'Their customers love NodeZero, and the team has proven to operate with excellence at scale, which is why is transforming how security is done. I'm excited to join the board and help shape this next chapter.' Article content The impact is immediate and measurable. In one recent pentest, NodeZero gained access to sensitive US aircraft carrier design data through a third-party supplier. No humans were involved in the pentest. The platform autonomously compromised the network, gained access to sensitive data, and then guided defenders on exactly what to fix to prevent a breach. Article content 'My old boss used to say, 'don't tell me we're secure, show me, then show me again tomorrow, and again next week, because our environment is always changing and the enemy always has a vote,'' said Antani. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Contact: Article content Article content Ed Kraft Article content Article content Article content
Tahawul Tech
26-05-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
penetration testing Archives
Michael Byrnes, Director, Solutions Engineering, iMEA, BeyondTrust, details how organisations can build a robust penetration testing (pen-testing) program that accounts for a new hybrid workforce and all the privacy, legal and compliance challenges that come with it.
Globe and Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Penetration Testing Market Growth Demand, Recent Development, Opportunities, Future Scope, Key Segments And Forecast To 2029
"Rapid7(US), Secureworks(US), Synopsys(US), Crowdstrike(US), IBM(US), Coalfire Labs(US), Indium Software(US), Cigniti Technologies(US), Trustwave(US), Cisco Systems(US), Fortinet(US), Bugcrowd(US), Invicti(US), Hackerone(US),Raxis(US), Rsi Security(US)." Penetration Testing Market by Offering (Solution, Services), Type (Web Applications, Mobile Applications, Network Infrastructure, Social Engineering, Cloud), Organization Size, Deployment Mode, Vertical and Region - Global Forecast to 2029. The penetration testing market is expected to increase at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.1% from USD 1.7 billion in 2024 to USD 3.9 billion by 2029. The market for penetration testing is growing due to the constantly changing nature of cyberthreats, particularly in the area of digital risk attacks. Organizations prioritize security measures to protect their systems as cyberattacks become more frequent and complex. Penetration testing, which finds vulnerabilities before they are exploited, is becoming more popular. This entails evaluating a variety of elements, including network infrastructure, cloud systems, social engineering techniques, mobile apps, web apps, and software tools or manual testing by security professionals. Download PDF Brochure@ "By deployment mode, the cloud segment is expected to demonstrate the highest growth rate in the penetration testing market during the forecast period." Growth in the cloud-based penetration testing market is driven by businesses' swift adoption of cloud services for flexibility, cost-efficiency, and remote work capabilities. This shift expands the potential targets for cyber threats, necessitating robust security measures. Cloud environments pose unique security challenges compared to traditional setups, demanding specialized testing methods. Cybercriminals increasingly target cloud platforms, intensifying the need for advanced testing approaches. Cloud-based penetration testing offers scalability, cost savings, automation, and remote access advantages, boosting appeal. Cloud solutions simplify compliance with regulations and address the shortage of skilled testers. The overall growth reflects the escalating reliance on cloud technologies and the crucial need for security. 'Based on organization size, the SMEs segment is projected to exhibit the highest growth rate at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.' The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are becoming more aware of cyber threats and their potential impact, prompting them to invest in cybersecurity measures. Penetration testing service providers offer cost-effective solutions tailored to SMEs' needs, making cybersecurity more accessible. Regulatory mandates and limited in-house expertise further drive SMEs towards penetration testing services. Factors like rapid digitalization, evolving cyber threats, and the availability of managed security service providers are also contributing to the high growth rate in this segment, addressing SMEs' increasing vulnerability and the need for robust cybersecurity solutions. 'Asia Pacific is anticipated to experience substantial growth in the penetration testing market during the forecast period. ' The Asia Pacific region is poised to witness significant expansion in the penetration testing market during the forecast period, driven by escalating cybersecurity concerns, stringent regulatory requirements, and the rapid adoption of digital technologies across industries. With the proliferation of cyber threats and the increasing sophistication of attacks, organizations are prioritizing proactive measures to identify and address vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure and applications. Penetration testing, a vital component of cybersecurity strategies, enables businesses to assess their security posture, uncover potential weaknesses, and implement effective remediation measures. As governments and regulatory bodies in the region impose stricter data protection regulations, the demand for penetration testing services is expected to surge, further fueling market growth. The continued digital transformation initiatives and the growing reliance on cloud services contribute to the heightened need for robust security testing solutions, positioning the Asia Pacific penetration testing market for substantial expansion in the coming years. Request Sample Pages@ Unique Features in the Penetration Testing Market One of the most defining trends in the market is the shift from manual to automated penetration testing. Tools like Pentera, Astra, and Detectify offer AI-driven testing capabilities that mimic real-world attacker behavior. These tools significantly reduce the time and effort required to uncover vulnerabilities and allow for continuous, scalable testing. Traditional penetration testing was periodic—often yearly or quarterly. Now, businesses demand continuous security validation. Platforms offer "Penetration Testing as a Service" (PTaaS), enabling organizations to initiate tests anytime and get results in real time, ensuring vulnerabilities are identified as they emerge. With cloud infrastructure and CI/CD pipelines becoming the norm, penetration testing solutions are adapting. Many tools now integrate directly into development environments like GitLab, Jenkins, and AWS. This allows for security testing to be embedded in the software development lifecycle (SDLC), enabling faster remediation and a "shift-left" approach. Modern penetration testing services are increasingly specialized in newer technologies and threats, such as IoT, 5G, blockchain, and AI systems. Firms offering targeted expertise in these domains stand out, especially in critical sectors like healthcare, automotive, and finance. Major Highlights of the Penetration Testing Market Demand for penetration testing is not confined to IT or finance alone. Sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, e-commerce, and critical infrastructure are investing heavily in security testing to protect sensitive data and ensure uninterrupted operations. The increased adoption of IoT, cloud computing, and AI in these industries adds further urgency to perform regular pentests. Global compliance mandates—such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and ISO 27001—are key market drivers. Organizations are required to demonstrate proactive security practices, including periodic penetration testing. This has led to higher spending on cybersecurity services, particularly among enterprises and government bodies. A major trend reshaping the market is the rise of PTaaS platforms. These allow businesses to subscribe to continuous or on-demand testing services with flexible pricing. PTaaS simplifies access to expert testing, provides faster remediation cycles, and supports integration into DevSecOps environments, making it particularly appealing to agile and cloud-native companies. Geographically, North America holds the largest market share due to the presence of leading cybersecurity firms, strict regulatory frameworks, and high adoption of advanced technologies. However, the Asia-Pacific region is emerging rapidly, fueled by rising cyberattacks, digital initiatives by governments, and increased cloud adoption among SMEs. Inquire Before Buying@ Top Companies in the Penetration Testing Market The major players in the penetration testing market are Rapid7(US), Secureworks(US), Synopsys(US), Crowdstrike(US), IBM(US), Coalfire Labs(US), Indium Software(US), Cigniti Technologies(US), Trustwave(US), Cisco Systems(US), Fortinet(US), Bugcrowd(US), Invicti(US), Hackerone(US),Raxis(US), Rsi Security(US), Rhino Security Labs(US), Sciencesoft(US), Portswigger(US), Netraguard(US), Software Secured(Canada), Vumentric Cybersecurity(Canada), Netitude(UK), Zimperium(US), Nowsecure(US), Security Metrics(US), NetSpi(US), Covertswarm(UK), Holm Security(Sweden), Intruder Systems(UK), Breachlock(US), Isecurion(India), Redbot Security(US). Rapid7 Rapid7 occupies a notable position in the penetration testing market, providing a comprehensive range of services and tools to address cybersecurity needs. Their security specialists conduct manual penetration testing covering domains such as network infrastructure, applications, wireless networks, and social engineering tactics, delivering thorough assessments and remediation strategies. Alongside these services, Rapid7 offers the widely-used Metasploit Framework, an open-source platform for vulnerability assessment and exploit development, complemented by the advanced features of Metasploit Pro. Their strong brand recognition and industry expertise attract clients seeking robust security solutions. Rapid7 faces challenges from other market players, and the cost of services differs, posing challenges for smaller businesses. Rapid7 is bridging the gap between manual testing and automated solutions for organizations aiming to bolster their cybersecurity defenses. Secureworks Secureworks delivers specialized services such as ransomware attack simulation, social engineering assessment, specialized security testing, insider threat assessment, and post-penetration testing remediation tailored for sophisticated enterprise security needs. Their approach goes beyond mere vulnerability identification, aiming to replicate real-world attacker tactics such as simulating the entire attack kill chain, ransomware attacks, IoT/OT security testing, physical security assessments, and insider threat simulations. Leveraging insights from their Counter Threat Unit (CTU) research team, Secureworks integrates real-world threat intelligence into their testing methodologies, ensuring a more targeted approach reflective of the evolving threat landscape. Their strengths lie in their unique testing approach, integration of threat intelligence, and experienced team of penetration testers. Secureworks caters to a niche segment within the penetration testing market, providing specialized solutions such as physical security testing, IoT security testing, Installation of malware, simulating the attack kill-chain, privilege escalation, and advanced penetration testing for organizations seeking a deeper insight into their security risks and potential threats. Synopsys Synopsys holds a prominent position in the penetration testing market, mainly after it acquired Cigital, a renowned player in application security testing. Through this acquisition, Synopsys significantly strengthened its foothold in the market, particularly in web application, mobile application, API, and cloud penetration testing services. They also offer broader security assessment and training services. Synopsys stands out for its proactive approach to application security, focusing on embedding security throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and advocating for DevSecOps practices. The emphasis on preventive measures aligns with industry trends and addresses the growing need for security integration in development. Their strengths lie in the combined expertise gained from the Cigital acquisition, offering comprehensive solutions, and aligning with the DevSecOps paradigm. Their primary focus on application security might limit their penetration testing offerings compared to companies with broader testing portfolios. Through its Cigital acquisition, Synopsys has emerged as a leading provider of penetration testing services, emphasizing a proactive stance towards application security. Software Secured (Canada): Software Secured is a Canadian cybersecurity company specializing in application offer services such as secure code reviews, penetration testing, security training, and consulting to help businesses identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities in their software company focuses on helping organizations develop and maintain secure software products by integrating security throughout the software development lifecycle.
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
CyberKnight signs Ridge Security to offer the world's first AI-powered security validation platform
Dubai, UAE - The automated penetration testing market was valued at roughly $3.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow rapidly, with forecasts estimating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 21% and 25%. By 2030, the sector is expected to reach approximately $9 to $10 billion. The broader penetration testing industry is also expanding, with projections indicating it will surpass $5.3 billion by 2027, according to MarketandMarket. To support enterprises and government entities across the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) with identifying and validating vulnerabilities and reducing security gaps in real-time, CyberKnight has partnered with Ridge Security, the World's First Al-powered Offensive Security Validation Platform. Ridge Security's products incorporate advanced artificial intelligence to deliver security validation through automated penetration testing and breach and attack simulations. RidgeBot uses advanced AI to autonomously perform multi-vector iterative attacks, conduct continuous penetration testing, and validate vulnerabilities with zero false positives. RidgeBot has been deployed by customers worldwide as a key element of their journey to evolve from traditional vulnerability management to Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM). 'Ridge Security's core strength lies in delivering holistic, AI-driven security validation that enables organizations to proactively manage risk and improve operational performance,' said Hom Bahmanyar, Chief Enablement Officer at Ridge Security. 'We are delighted to partner with CyberKnight to leverage their network of strategic partners, deep-rooted customer relations, and security expertise to accelerate our expansion plans in the region.' 'Our partnership with Ridge Security is a timely and strategic step, as 69% of organizations are now adopting AI-driven security for threat detection and prevention,' added Wael Jaber, Chief Strategy Officer at CyberKnight. 'By joining forces, we enhance our ability to deliver automated, intelligent security validation solutions, reaffirming our commitment to empowering customers with resilient, future-ready cybersecurity across the region.' About CyberKnight: CyberKnight Technologies is a cybersecurity focused value-added-distributor (VAD), headquartered in Dubai, covering the Middle East with on-the-ground presence in all key Middle East markets. Our ZTX (Zero Trust Security) methodology, based on the Forrester framework, incorporates emerging and market-leading cybersecurity solutions that protect the entire attack surface, by leveraging AI, to help security teams at enterprise and government customers fortify breach detection, accelerate incident response & remediation, while addressing regulatory compliance. CyberKnight's Art of Cybersecurity Distribution methodology enables strategic partners to achieve greater market penetration, return-on-investment, and time-to-value. About Ridge Security: Ridge Security, a leader in AI-powered offensive security, is dedicated to bringing to market innovative cybersecurity products that empower enterprise CISOs and security teams to stay ahead of evolving threats. Our products incorporate advanced artificial intelligence to improve efficacy and efficiencies of security validations. Ridge Security offers an AI-powered security validation platform providing Automated Penetration Testing as well as Breach & Attack Simulation (BAS). Ridge Security is listed in Gartner's Market Guide for Adversarial Exposure Validation (AEV) product category.
