The Hiscox 2023 report(https://www.hiscox.fr/courtage/blog/rapport-hiscox-2023-sur-la-gestion-des-cyber-risques) highlights an alarming reality: 53% of companies reported having suffered at least one cyber attack in 2023. This includes small businesses, 36% of which were specifically targeted, a two-fold increase on previous years. In the face of intensifying threats, Hackmosphere, the pentesting expert, has positioned itself as a key partner in guaranteeing the security and resilience of your IT systems.
Why is cybersecurity so crucial today?
Cyber attacks no longer simply block access to data. They are costly and hit companies hard:
- 42% of companies with fewer than 250 employees that suffered an attack paid a ransom to protect their data
- Bank transfer fraud has become the number one consequence of cyberattacks, with one in three companies affected by 2023.
- On average, direct financial losses reach €140,000, a cost that few SMEs can bear without serious repercussions.
These figures are a reminder of the urgent need for a proactive strategy to protect your organization.
Pentesting: a trump card up your cybersecurity sleeve
A pentest simulates the methods used by hackers to discover exploitable vulnerabilities in your systems. Here’s why it’s essential:
- Prevention of financial losses: ransoms demanded in the event of an attack can reach hundreds of thousands of euros (generally ~10% of yearly sales).
- Compliance: Regular analysis ensures compliance with security standards such as RGPD
- Anticipation: identify and correct vulnerabilities before a cybercriminal exploits them
How does it work?
- Scope definition: In collaboration with your team, the priorities and sensitive areas to be tested are defined.
- Attack simulation: Experts use advanced techniques to identify vulnerabilities
- Detailed report: You receive a clear assessment, with concrete recommendations for each vulnerability.
Why act now?
The Hiscox 2023 report reveals an increase in sophisticated tactics, notably via exfiltration ransomware and the use of AI to produce convincing phishing emails. Ignoring these threats can have disastrous consequences, especially for SMEs, which remain particularly vulnerable.
Investing in a pentest or phishing campaign today means :
- Reduce the risk of financial and operational losses
- Protect your sensitive data and those of your customers
- Preserving your reputation in an uncertain economic environment
Case studies: proof by example
Case 1: a small business targeted by ransomware
An SME specializing in logistics fell victim to a sophisticated ransomware attack, paralyzing its operations for 5 days. Investigation revealed that the attack originated from unsecured access to its VPN interface, left without updates. The hacker then granted himself administrator rights by abusing a flaw in ADCS (Active Directory Certificate Services).
If a pentest had been carried out, the testers would have detected this faulty configuration, proposing dual authentication and a software update. Other Active Directory vulnerabilities would also have been identified and resolved.
- Estimated cost of attack: €100,000 (for a company with sales of €1 million).
- Cost of a pentest: €7,000.
Case 2: a configuration flaw in an e-commerce store
An e-commerce startup was using an open-source platform to manage its transactions. A pentest revealed that a third-party plugin was exposing customer data. Thanks to the report, the team corrected the vulnerability before a cybercriminal could exploit it. The result: the data of thousands of people protected, and the company’s reputation intact.
Frequently asked questions about cybersecurity and pentesting
- What is the average cost of a pentest?
Prices vary according to the scope tested. At Hackmosphere, our pentests last from 3 to 15 days on average, and start at €1,500 excluding VAT. Contact us for a personalized quote
- I have an antivirus. Is that enough?
An antivirus protects against known threats, but cannot anticipate new vulnerabilities. A pentest is a proactive approach to discovering vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
- How long does it take?
A pentest can take from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of your system and your requirements. A red team, where we want to go under the radar, can take several months.
- What types of threats can be detected?
Thousands of vulnerabilities exist out there, whether in your web applications, network configurations or Active Directory. We do our best to identify as many as possible in the time available.
- What’s the difference between a Pentest and a Red Team?
Pentest: Targeted approach to certain system(s) to identify specific vulnerabilities within a defined perimeter. Average duration ~10 man-days.
Red team: Simulation of a more discreet attack, without prior information, to test the company’s response to a real intrusion. Lasts on average ~50 man-days.
Return on investment: does a pentest pay off?
Statistics and arguments
According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach 2023 report(https://thehackernews.com/2023/12/cost-of-data-breach-report-2023.html), the average cost of a cyber attack is a record $4.45 million for a large enterprise. By comparison, an average pentest costs between €3,000 and €30,000. It is also stated that companies carrying out regular audits reduce the cost of an attack by > 50%.
Comparison: Pentest vs. consequences of an attack
| Element | Pentest | Cyberattack |
| Cost | 3 000 € – 30 000 € | 100 000 € – 10 M€ |
| Resolution time | Prevention (a few days) | Weeks or months |
| Impact on reputation | Positive | Disastrous |
A pentest is therefore a strategic investment to protect not only your systems, but also your brand image and customer relations.
Hackmosphere: your defense against cyber attacks
Thanks to our penetration tests (pentests), Hackmosphere helps companies identify and correct vulnerabilities before they are exploited by cybercriminals.
The advantages of our approach :
- Customized solutions: each intervention is tailored to the specific needs of your environment
- Two testers on your environment: We firmly believe that two brains can see the same thing in two different ways. This means that two testers performing ethical hacking on the same environment will be able to identify more vulnerabilities.
- “4-eye review : Our reports are of the highest quality, to ensure optimum understanding of the vulnerabilities identified. We therefore have our reports proofread by the 2 pentractors who took part in the audit
With Hackmosphere, you choose a trusted partner to strengthen your company’s cybersecurity. Don’t let hackers decide the future of your business.
Contact Hackmosphere: your security is our concern.