Posted by: Hasan Sameer
June 2, 2023
Web application pen-testing is extremely important since it can find weaknesses and vulnerabilities in web applications. Security breaches can have serious repercussions in today’s digital environment. The main reason for this is online apps handle sensitive data and transactions. Through proactive assessment of the security posture of their web applications, organizations can use pen testing to identify potential vulnerabilities. This allows them to eliminate the loopholes before bad actors can take advantage of them. Organizations may strengthen their security defenses, safeguard sensitive data, and stop data breaches by recognizing and fixing these shortcomings. Web application pen-testing also helps businesses comply with legal obligations by ensuring they follow sector-specific rules and guidelines. Incorporating security testing early on encourages a secure development lifecycle. Plus, it helps in lowering the likelihood of introducing vulnerabilities in the application development process later on.
of organizations are conducting web application pen testing on a regular basis.
risk of data breaches is eliminated from the infrastructure of businesses that conduct regular penetration testing.
million is the average cost of a data breach around the world.
is the expected CAGR for the penetration testing software market between 2021 and 2028.
Penetration testing is crucial and skipping it can have serious repercussions for your web applications. The following are the specific possible repercussions of skipping web application pen testing:
Organizations have a higher risk of data breaches without routine penetration testing. Web applications frequently deal with private data, including client information, financial records, and personal information. By skipping security testing, vulnerabilities go undetected. This makes it simpler for bad actors to access critical information without authorization. Financial losses, reputational harm, legal liabilities, and a decline in customer trust can all result from data breaches.
Attacks on web applications can lead to large financial losses. Investigating the breach, alerting the impacted parties, offering credit monitoring services, and putting remediation plans in place, are expenses that organizations might incur. Sometimes, they even have to pay penalties or legal settlements. The loss of business, client attrition, and the time and money needed to recover from the breach can all have a negative financial impact.
The reputation of a company might suffer significantly from a web application compromise. When a data breach is reported, word spreads quickly, undermining customer confidence. Reduced prospects, a decline in consumer loyalty, and trouble obtaining new clients can all result from the loss of reputation. Restoring a damaged reputation can be difficult and expensive.
Neglecting web application penetration testing can have legal and regulatory implications as well. Specific data protection and privacy laws apply to many businesses. Fines, penalties, and legal action are the potential results for breaking these rules. Stricter regulatory obligations could apply to organizations that handle personally identifiable information (PII), medical records, or financial data. Penetration testing aids organizations in demonstrating their attention to safeguarding sensitive information and adhering to legal requirements.
Business activities may be hampered by a successful attack on an online application. Depending on the severity of the breach, organizations may need to shut down the impacted application either temporarily or permanently. This would disrupt services, resulting in a loss of revenue, and harm customer relationships. It can take a lot of time and resources to restore the program and ensure its security.
Web applications might include priceless intellectual property, business secrets, or confidential data. By neglecting pen testing, you run the danger of having such sensitive assets stolen or accessed by unauthorized parties. This stolen knowledge can be used against an organization or sold on the black market by rivals or cybercriminals, limiting its ability to innovate and compete.
Neglecting web application penetration testing might reduce an organization’s competitive advantage in markets that are highly competitive. When choosing products or services, customers are placing a higher priority on security. Customers may decide to patronize other businesses that place a high priority on security measures.
