{"id":5110,"date":"2024-01-17T10:28:58","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T09:28:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glofera.com\/2024\/01\/17\/know-your-companys-vulnerabilities-with-a-cybersecurity-audit\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T08:51:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T07:51:27","slug":"know-your-companys-vulnerabilities-with-a-cybersecurity-audit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glofera.com\/en\/know-your-companys-vulnerabilities-with-a-cybersecurity-audit\/","title":{"rendered":"Know your company’s vulnerabilities with a cybersecurity audit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you feel unprotected against digital threats to your company?<\/h2>\n

SMEs are a favorite target for cybercriminals, who operate under the assumption that they have less sophisticated security systems than large corporations. In this scenario, a cybersecurity audit is not only a preventive measure, but an essential tool to shield your company against these invisible but ever-present threats.<\/p>\n

From the intriguing art of ethical hacking<\/strong> to the vital role of the pentester<\/strong>, we will explore each phase of an audit and how it becomes an educational and preventative tool. In addition, we will show you the tangible benefits of performing these audits, highlighting their impact on preventing financial losses, strengthening security awareness, and the importance of informed strategic planning.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

What is a cybersecurity audit for companies?<\/strong><\/h2><\/h2><\/div>

A cybersecurity audit is much more than just a routine check. It is a detailed examination of your IT infrastructure, where experts meticulously examine every aspect of your network and systems. From assessing security policies to analyzing how information is stored and transmitted, this audit uncovers hidden vulnerabilities and offers concrete solutions. For an SME, this means understanding where your digital strengths and weaknesses are and how to strengthen them against potential attacks.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Ethical Hacking: the science of preventing attacks through simulation<\/strong><\/h2><\/h2><\/div>

Ethical hacking is a crucial element in modern cybersecurity. By simulating cyber attacks, ethical hackers (IT security professionals who use their skills to improve security) identify vulnerabilities that a cybercriminal could exploit. For your SME, this means an opportunity to stay ahead of attacks by correcting flaws before they are exploited.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

The Pentester: a strategist on the digital front line<\/strong><\/h2><\/h2><\/div>

The pentester, or penetration tester, is the specialist in charge of performing the audits. His role goes beyond mere flaw detection; he also advises on how to improve security architecture, implement best practices and ensure that your company’s defenses are always one step ahead of emerging threats.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

How to perform a cybersecurity audit or pentesting for companies?<\/strong><\/h2><\/h2><\/div>

At Glofera, we use proven cybersecurity methodologies backed by the extensive experience of our professionals. Developed by expert pentesters, these techniques are applied ethically and accurately, ensuring detailed system and network assessments. The following are the key phases of our audits, reflecting the effectiveness and care taken at each step of the process.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Step 1: Planning<\/h2><\/div>
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Scope definition:<\/strong> the pentester and the organization agree on the scope of the audit. This includes determining which systems, networks and applications will be examined.<\/p>\n

Reconnaissance:<\/strong> the pentester collects information about the target. This may include public data collection, network mapping, identification of operating systems exposed on the Internet, relationship with other companies (supply chain, suppliers, etc.) and running services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Step 2: scanning<\/h2><\/div>
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Port and network scanning:<\/strong> using different tools and services, our professionals identify open ports and running services.<\/p>\n

Vulnerability assessment<\/strong>: advanced techniques and procedures are used to detect known weaknesses in the identified systems.<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Step 3: gaining access<\/h2><\/div>
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Exploitation:<\/strong> in this phase, the pentester attempts to exploit the vulnerabilities found to gain access to the system or network. This may include SQL injection attacks, performing brute force attacks on the system with data obtained in previous steps, among others.<\/p>\n

Privilege escalation:<\/strong> once inside, the goal is to find critical points by escalating privileges and making a lateral move to access more systems or data.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Step 4: Access maintenance<\/h2><\/div>
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Persistent access:<\/strong> the pentester tries to maintain the access obtained. This is done to demonstrate how an attacker could maintain a prolonged presence on the network, which is vital to understanding the severity of a vulnerability. It should be noted that it normally takes analysts an average of 6 to 9 months to find a sophisticated attack.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Step 5: Analysis and reporting<\/h2><\/div>
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Evidence collection:<\/strong> evidence is collected of the vulnerabilities exploited and the data accessed.<\/p>\n

Audit report:<\/strong> the pentester prepares a detailed report that includes the vulnerabilities discovered, the manner in which they were exploited, the information accessed, and recommendations for mitigating these vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Step 6: cleaning<\/h2><\/div>
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System Restore:<\/strong> ensures that all changes made to the network or systems during the test are reverted, leaving the systems in their original state.<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Tangible benefits of a cybersecurity audit for enterprises<\/strong><\/h2><\/h2><\/div>

Performing a cybersecurity audit brings tangible benefits to your SME. Below, we will explore the main advantages of this strategy, highlighting how each contributes to building a more secure and competitive business.<\/p>\n<\/div>