In this article, we will be talking about Crowdsourced Network Pen Tests.

Is it possible to have your networks tested by crowdsourcing means, or does it only apply to applications?

Overview

Pen testing is the process by which organizations hire white hat hackers to come into their systems and record any vulnerabilities. Here is the logic behind the action: the modern era of revolution has been heavy on technological advancements. Human process data online more than ever before. Our footprints are all over the internet, and we are just as vulnerable to attacks.

Whether big, middle-scaled, or even small start-up organizations are prone to being victims. Figuratively so, since we can’t beat them, then we should join them.

Pen testing gives organizations inclusivity to how malicious actors may break their systems, manipulate them, and the extent of harm causable. Once the ethical hackers are done examining your system, you know just where to fix and other necessary precautions needed.

Crowdsourcing is quite like testing. The major difference is that unlike pen tests, where a small team of white hat hackers physically come into your organization for operations. Crowdtesting applies a more global approach. Testers from all around the world participate in testing, and only those that detect vulnerabilities are paid. Crowdsourcing security assures year-long tests that are more intensive at a relatively fairer cost.

Crowdsourced Tests on Networks

Pen tests are more popular for mobile applications and websites because they can support several VPNs and Proxies needed to persevere the large loads. Constant advancements in firewall infrastructure and cloud security have incredibly managed the frequency attacks happen. However, they are not a full-proof solution against well-versed hackers that are out to ruin you.

Organizations are a little bit reluctant on crowdsourcing network securities. Due to the setting of the crowd, it gets a little challenging to test internal networks. Assets within the company are not readily available to the public. This means that the organization will have to use a lot of resources and time to arrange how VPNs and authenticated proxies will be shared. Also, granting these rights would mean that you have handed over access to secure assets to the world.

Regardless of these setbacks, the need for internal penetration testing continues to grow. The increasing connectivity in the workplace, especially after the covid forced most of us to work from home, has necessitated the need for stronger systems.

Crowdsourced Pen Testing recently moved mainstream, and it is here to stay. It has successfully overridden the disadvantage pentesting, such as exaggerated issues (pentester syndrome) and testing scope limitations. However, for now, it is not the epitome answer to internal organization networks. Organizations never to these measures of security should first consider pentesting before upgrading to crowds. A ‘virgin’ site will most definitely generate hundreds of vulnerability points and incur the organizations way more than a pentest would have.

Final Thought 

Network testing should ensure thorough scanning of UDP and TCP targets, careful studying of access authentications, testing vulnerabilities on the servers, virus attacks etc. It is possible to crowdsource these tasks at a cost, but for a growing industry, pen testing is the safer option for network systems.