Although malicious programs have existed in cyberspace for years, the shift to remote work environments has strongly highlighted the importance of robust cybersecurity practices.
While some organizations and individuals began safeguarding their devices and networks using professional security tools or enrolling in security awareness training, these measures alone are often insufficient to prevent cyberattacks.
To understand this better, we spoke with the Founder and Co-Founder of Cyber Security Hive, Akram Khan and Maaz, who share insights on how penetration testing helps identify vulnerabilities, why it is essential for all organizations, and which cyber threats are most relevant today.
Cyber Security Hive was founded in 2018. Both Akram and Maaz are school friends who shared a common goal and vision, which led to the creation of the company. Like any startup journey, there were many ups and downs. The founders recall signing their first client at breakeven cost—and that client remains with them today. As they say, “Once a client, always a client.”
Cyber Security Hive provides end-to-end cybersecurity solutions, with a strong specialization in penetration testing and Security Operations Center (SOC) services. Multiple magazines and publications have highlighted the company’s service quality, reporting standards, and client management approach.
Their SOC services help organizations defend against malicious activities by detecting and blocking attempts to compromise networks and applications.
Cyber Security Hive collaborates with multiple partners that provide intuitive and engaging security awareness content. For example, one partner offers short, one-minute micro-videos that present real-life scenarios instead of traditional whiteboard or animated content. This approach helps users better relate to and retain key security concepts.
Additionally, Cyber Security Hive has a dedicated security awareness product in its development pipeline.
Before the pandemic, many organizations did not prioritize cybersecurity. When remote work became widespread, cybersecurity emerged as a critical requirement. Companies began segmenting networks, deploying firewalls, and performing penetration testing on networks and web applications.
Key takeaways include:
Cyber Security Hive supports organizations in improving their overall security posture through these measures.
Phishing remains the most common cyberattack, regardless of whether an organization owns a product. It is often said that employees are the last line of defense. If employees use email, phones, or computers, they are susceptible to phishing, vishing, smishing, and USB drop attacks.
Even organizations with strong technical controls remain vulnerable if employees are not cyber-aware. To address this, organizations should regularly conduct phishing, vishing, and smishing simulations, followed by training and retesting—ideally monthly or quarterly, depending on budget.
Penetration testing is now considered a baseline requirement for identifying and closing major vulnerabilities. Many countries mandate penetration testing for financial institutions, and clients increasingly request penetration testing reports before entering business engagements.
Penetration testing should be standardized much like functional testing. It is especially critical for financial institutions, SaaS companies, data analytics firms, and any organization handling sensitive data.
Beyond applications, organizations must also test their networks. Securing applications alone is ineffective if attackers can exploit network vulnerabilities to gain access.
Cyber Security Hive specializes in penetration testing and has supported clients globally across diverse ecosystems.
In addition to penetration testing, organizations should deploy endpoint security across all desktops, servers, and endpoints. Solutions like Sophos are often preferred due to their effectiveness across Windows, macOS, and Linux systems and their affordability.
Setting up a SOC is another best practice, though it may be cost-prohibitive for smaller organizations.
For individuals aspiring to enter the cybersecurity industry, certifications like CEH alone are not sufficient. Practical experience through bug bounty programs, Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, and advanced certifications such as OSCP are highly recommended. This guidance applies to both freshers and experienced professionals.
Cyber Security Hive is gradually shifting focus toward becoming a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP). The company is launching its next-generation AI-powered vulnerability management platform, threatscan.io.
ThreatScan integrates with JIRA and Slack, reports zero false positives, offers on-demand chatbot and real-time human support, provides role-based access, and includes both automated scanning and manual business logic testing. It also generates a threat score for web applications.
Currently, ThreatScan supports web applications, with network penetration testing support planned for future releases.
Read the full article on cybernews.com.