Penetration Testing for a North American Public Agency

Needs And Requirements:

The agency had an immediate requirement for a comprehensive penetration testing engagement to ensure the security of its new web application prior to an impending launch deadline. The primary objective was to proactively identify and remediate any vulnerabilities, ensuring the platform met all the security standards. This initiative was critical to safeguarding sensitive data, maintaining stakeholder confidence, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations, all while supporting a successful and secure launch.

Main Challenges:

Regulatory Compliance: The project had to meet compliance requirements within a tight deadline.

Rapid Deployment: The close launch date added pressure to swiftly secure the web application before deployment.

Solution:

Penetration Testing: Hitachi Cyber, acting quickly, conducted a grey-box penetration test to assess the web application’s vulnerabilities. The process began with a non-authenticated test, simulating an external attack to closely mirror real-world attacks. This was followed by an authenticated penetration test with restricted access levels, aimed at identifying potential exploits or lateral movement risks in the event of unauthorized access to a user account. Additionally, Hitachi Cyber performed an assessment based on the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities to ensure thorough coverage of critical security issues.

Outcomes:

Following the completion of our penetration tests, the company achieved full compliance with all necessary requirements for launching their web application. The testing process effectively identified all vulnerabilities, and Hitachi Cyber delivered a comprehensive report detailing remediation plans for each issue. This proactive approach to security assurance was instrumental in ensuring the successful rollout of the platform.

Next Steps:

Following a successful launch of their web application, the agency plans to maintain high security standards through continuous penetration testing as the site evolves. This will ensure ongoing protection against new vulnerabilities, helping the agency maintain a robust cybersecurity posture.