Businesses in Denver handling sensitive data are becoming increasingly targeted by malicious attacks. A growing Denver-based tech firm, specializing in software development and data management, recently undertook proactive cybersecurity practices, such as penetration testing (pen testing), to ensure that their daily operations, including handling large amounts of customer data, would remain safeguarded. The results of the firm elevating their security defenses by investing in pen testing enabled critical insights into how they can prevent potential breaches.
This blog will explore how the firm benefited from pen testing, detailing the vulnerabilities uncovered and the actions taken to secure their systems, and how CP Cyber’s services can help other Denver businesses enhance their cybersecurity through pen testing.
How Pen Testing Strengthened Security in Denver
The expansion of a Denver-based tech firm meant that its network security was being stretched, increasing the risk of vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals. To mitigate the risk of its clients’ sensitive data being accessed by unauthorized users, the company implemented pen testing services to evaluate and strengthen their cybersecurity defenses.
The Penetration Testing Process
An extensive penetration testing exercise that involved simulating real-world cyberattacks on the company’s network, applications, and endpoints unveiled vulnerabilities such as unpatched software, weak authentication systems, and misconfigured security settings. The findings were as follows:
- Outdated Software: 20% of the firm’s applications were running outdated software versions. These unpatched systems had several known vulnerabilities, including flaws that had been exploited in previous cyberattacks on other organizations. One particular vulnerability, CVE-2021-34527 (also known as PrintNightmare), was identified, which could allow attackers to execute remote code on affected systems.
- Weak Authentication Controls: The pen testers found that 40% of employee accounts did not use multi-factor authentication (MFA), leaving critical systems exposed to brute-force attacks. In fact, the test simulated a brute-force attack and cracked 15% of user passwords within 24 hours using common hacking tools.
- Misconfigured Firewall Rules: The penetration testing identified that the company’s firewall had several overly permissive rules, which allowed unnecessary inbound and outbound traffic. These configurations created potential entry points for attackers to exploit, particularly through non-essential services that were left exposed to the internet.
Security Enhancements and Best Practices Implemented
The firm took immediate action to implement a series of security enhancements that were specifically designed to rectify the vulnerabilities that were identified during pen testing. This included:
- Software Updates and Patching: The firm instituted a policy to keep all software regularly updated. They immediately patched the systems that were out of date, including fixing the PrintNightmare vulnerability. This resulted in the firm reducing their exposure to known vulnerabilities by 95%.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): The firm implemented MFA across all employee accounts, including administrative access to critical systems, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access to company data. Post-implementation statistics revealed a 75% improvement in overall system authentication security, with zero successful brute-force attacks reported in follow-up tests.
- Firewall Reconfiguration: After implementing tighter firewall rules, only necessary traffic was allowed to pass through, and all non-essential services were disabled. This reduced the firm’s exposure to external threats by nearly 80%.
Measurable Results
Within six months of implementing the pen testing process, the firm saw vast improvements in its security posture. Post-testing audits showed a 90% reduction in exploitable vulnerabilities across their IT infrastructure. They also experienced an increased system uptime of 15%, due to fewer cyber threats affecting operations. The firm also became fully compliant with industry standards and security regulations, including SOC 2, which helped them build trust with clients and strengthened their market position.
CP Cyber’s Pen Testing Services
Our pen testing in Denver is designed to support businesses, from tech firms to small and medium-sized enterprises, by uncovering vulnerabilities in their systems before cybercriminals can exploit them. Our pen testing provides you with a comprehensive view of your security weaknesses and actionable steps to strengthen them.
- Comprehensive Pen Testing: Our team conducts thorough assessments of your network, applications, and systems, identifying weaknesses that automated vulnerability scanners might miss.
- Actionable Insights: After the test, we provide detailed reports that not only highlight your security gaps but also offer tailored recommendations to help your business improve its defenses.
- Ongoing Support: we offer continued support to ensure that your security practices evolve alongside emerging threats including routine vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and comprehensive cybersecurity services.
Penetration testing is a critical tool in the fight against cyber threats. As seen with the Denver tech firm, pen testing can reveal vulnerabilities that might otherwise go unnoticed, providing an opportunity to strengthen security practices and protect sensitive data. CP Cyber’s pen testing Denver services offer businesses the peace of mind that comes with knowing their systems are secure and compliant with industry standards. Contact us today to learn more about our pen testing and cybersecurity services.
