Tag Archive for: testing

Top 5 Best Penetration Testing Companies in 2024


man in black jacket using computer
(Photo : KeepCoding / Unsplash)

Businesses in every industry are under threat of data breaches as threat actors discover new ways of pinpointing weaknesses in the IT infrastructure. Companies are under pressure to fortify their defense before cybercriminals can exploit them. They need the help of penetration testing companies who know the right tools and methods to ensure the defenses remain strong.

Why is penetration testing important?

Penetration testing involves simulating cyberattacks on a company’s systems and network. It verifies the security controls to assess if a company is ready for real-life cyberattacks as the service uncovers vulnerabilities and weaknesses before threat actors can exploit them.

Penetration testing services help companies obtain information about the different ways cybercriminals conduct their malicious activities, which can cause irreversible damage to the financial health and reputation of an organization. IT personnel can learn how to handle any type of break-in with insights into which channels or applications are most at risk, thereby preparing an effective and appropriate response to a cyberattack.

Read further to learn how the top 5 best penetration testing companies in 2024 address security concerns and fortify their clients’ security posture.

Silent Breach
(Photo : Silent Breach)

Overview

Silent Breach specializes in network security and protection of digital assets. They provide cutting-edge services and expertise across many industries in the private and public sectors. They are an award-winning provider, delivering a level of service that far exceeds industry standards.

Silent Breach employs real-world methods that closely mimic the behavior of determined hackers, including a blend of automated and manual testing to provide the broadest coverage. Their penetration testing services support a wide variety of tests, including web apps, mobile, wireless, physical, social, cloud, and more.

Back in 2021, Silent Breach…

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23andMe Hack Prompts DNA Testing Security Questions


The FTC also claimed that Vitagene deceived consumers about their ability to delete their own data. Over a two-year period, the agency said, it warned the company at least three times about storing unencrypted genetic, health and other personal information in publicly accessible data “buckets.” Vitagene has since discontinued its product line.

What are the risks of hacked databases?

Amassing information, not copying DNA. When a person’s exposed data is combined with other known or discovered data, the peril increases. And no one knows how the emergence of artificial intelligence might play a role.

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Quantum Tech Intended for National Security Is Testing U.S. Alliances


The Australian physicist shook the heavy metal box that resembled a beer cooler but held a quantum sensor. A computer screen showed that the cutting-edge device — with lasers manipulating atoms into a sensitive state — continued functioning despite the rattling.

He and his team had built a hard-to-detect, super-accurate navigation system for when satellite GPS networks are jammed or do not work that was robust and portable enough to be used outside a lab. It could potentially guide military equipment, from submarines to spacecraft, for months with a minuscule risk of directional error — a significant improvement over what is available today.

“The fact that we can do that is probably a wild, insane surprise,” said Russell Anderson, the head of quantum sensing at Q-CTRL, a start-up that recently signed a deal with Australia’s Department of Defense to develop and field-test its quantum sensor technology.

The global race to develop quantum technologies of all kinds has accelerated as governments pour investment into the industry and scientists make rapid technical advances. But to maintain an edge over China — which takes a centralized approach to tech development — the United States is considering tougher export controls for quantum. And allies say more limits, on top of those already in place, could stifle momentum because the strength of the American model of tech development comes from its openness, combining pools of public research money with private investment to support scientists from many countries.

For the United States and its allies, the challenge is clear: how to balance protectionism and cooperation in a transformative field where talent is scarce and less concentrated in the United States, making interdependence inevitable and increasingly necessary.

“The world has changed, and the pace of technology is much faster than it used to be,” said John Christianson, a military fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, who co-authored a recent report on AUKUS, the 2021 security agreement among the United States, Britain and Australia. “We can’t just rely on Americans always having the best stuff.”

Secretary of State Antony…

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Illumina, Feds Say Genetic Testing Gear at Risk of Hacking


Endpoint Security
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Healthcare
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Industry Specific

Feds Warn of Vulnerabilities Affecting Illumina’s Universal Copy Service Software

Illumina, Feds Say Genetic Testing Gear at Risk of Hacking
Flaws in Illumina’s Universal Copy Service software could allow hackers to take over certain genetic testing gear, warn federal authorities. (Image: Illumina)

Federal authorities are warning that hackers could take over genetic testing devices manufactured by Illumina, although neither the manufacturer nor the Food and Drug Administration has received reports of attacks.

See Also: Live Webinar | Education Cybersecurity Best Practices: Devices, Ransomware, Budgets and Resources

The FDA said the vulnerabilities affect Illumina’s proprietary Universal Copy Service software. Illumina posted a list of affected devices.

In a separate Thursday alert, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned that a remote code execution bug tracked as CVE-2023-1966 allows hackers to “change settings, configurations, software, or access sensitive data.”

Another, CVE-2023-1968, allows attackers to use UCS to listen on all IP addresses in a network, including those capable of accepting remote communications.

Alex Aravanis, Illumina chief technology officer, in a post Thursday on LinkedIn said that upon identifying the vulnerabilities, “our team worked diligently to develop mitigations to protect our instruments and customers.”

The company is providing customers with “a simple software update at no cost, requiring little to no downtime for most” to address the issues, he said.

Besides the software updates, CISA also recommended users take “defensive measures” to…

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