IQusion is developing a pentesting service for public sector enterprises and organizations

It’s no secret that for Ukraine, the issue of cyber and information security is more relevant than ever. And the protection of digital resources is a critically important matter. For public sector enterprises in Ukraine, which are targets of cyberattacks and espionage, in addition to traditional organizational and technical measures, testing is also crucial.

Serhii Balashuk, Director of IQusion IT LLC, today, October 4, 2023, presented an updated pentesting service to clients as part of a comprehensive suite of information protection services. Another name for this service is penetration testing or pentesting. It refers to a method of assessing the security of computer systems, networks, and web applications by attempting to simulate an attacker’s actions. The main goal is to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals and subsequently eliminate them.

“Public sector enterprises often become targets of cyberattacks for various reasons: obtaining confidential information, attempts to hack electronic management systems, etc. In the context of a global cyber threat and the emergence of new attack methods, reliable information protection becomes a strategic priority,” Serhii Balashuk said during the presentation.

The Importance of Pentesting for Public Sector Organizations

1. Protection of Confidential Information

Data handled by government agencies often has a high degree of confidentiality. A leak of such information can have serious consequences for national security.

2. Identification and Elimination of Vulnerabilities

Pentesting helps identify and eliminate potential vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit.

3. Increasing Citizen Trust

Data security is also a matter of citizen trust in the government. Protecting their personal data and information must be a top priority.

4. Compliance with Security Standards

Penetration tests are included in international and national cybersecurity standards.

5. Reducing Risks of Financial and Reputational Losses

The cost of preventing potential incidents and eliminating their consequences is usually much lower than the cost of responding to and resolving actual incidents.

What is the Essence of the Service?

Simply put, the process is a simulation of an attacker’s actions. The result of the work is a report containing all identified security system vulnerabilities, and it may also include recommendations for their elimination. The purpose of penetration tests is to assess the possibility of an attack and to predict economic losses resulting from a successful attack.

Penetration tests can be based on several different methodologies. The main differences lie in the availability of information about the system being examined. When testing closed systems (black box type), the “attacker” has no initial information about the target. In addition to closed systems, there are open systems (full information about the target system is available) and semi-closed systems (only partial information is available). The process involves an active analysis of the system for potential vulnerabilities that could lead to incorrect operation of the target system (with internet access) or its complete failure. Penetration testing should be conducted before the target system is launched for mass use.

“Penetration tests are an important tool in building a reliable cybersecurity system for public sector enterprises in Ukraine. They allow for timely identification and elimination of vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and protecting valuable information. The modern context of cyber threats requires a systematic and consolidated approach to ensuring cybersecurity. And in this context, pentesting is an important service for IQusion clients,” notes Serhii Balashuk.