blacklocksecuritynz

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Blacklock Security Limited

Our vision is to bridge the gap between automated and manual penetration testing – with automation. Blacklock is an all-in-one Penetration Testing as a Service platform (PTaaS) that automates the discovery of security vulnerabilities in your infrastructure, web application, codebase and manages them from a single pane of glass. We love to make security things simpler, practical and approachable. As penetration testing experts ourselves, we’ve felt the complex process of getting a security testing completed and then continuously managing the vulnerabilities from pen testing, code review, infrastructure reports, recurring tests, their reports, etc. – it just becomes more complex, expensive and unmanageable overtime. Our team has built an easy and neat way to do security right!

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Benefits of PTaaS for Cybersecurity Maturity

1. Continuous Vulnerability Assessment

2. Integration with Development Lifecycles

3. Single Dashboard for Vulnerability Management

4. Expert Support and Guidance

Enhancing cybersecurity maturity is an ongoing journey that requires strategic planning and the right tools. PTaaS offers a comprehensive solution that not only identifies vulnerabilities but also integrates security into the core of your business operations.

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Wondering what DAST is and how it can help in identifying vulnerabilities? Well, you have landed on the right page. This article discusses DAST scanning, how it works, and common vulnerabilities it can identify. So, let's dive in!

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What Are Top 3 Vulnerability Management Metrics to Measure in 2025

In today’s rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, staying ahead of potential threats is essential. Companies face a relentless onslaught of security vulnerabilities, and effectively managing these vulnerabilities has become critical for safeguarding data and maintaining regulatory compliance. One of the primary methods to assess the security posture of any organization is through vulnerability management and penetration testing. In 2024, certain key metrics have emerged as essential for effectively managing vulnerabilities, aiding businesses in minimizing risks while optimizing their security strategy.

This article will explore the top three vulnerability management metrics to measure in 2024, focusing on their significance in shaping a robust security program, and highlighting how penetration testing plays an integral role.

1. Vulnerability Detection Rate

The Vulnerability Detection Rate is a metric that reflects how effectively your organization identifies security vulnerabilities within its IT infrastructure. A higher detection rate indicates that the organization has robust tools and processes in place for continuous monitoring and assessment, which is crucial for early-stage vulnerability management.

Why It Matters: In 2024, the growing sophistication of cyber threats makes the Vulnerability Detection Rate a key performance indicator (KPI) for cybersecurity teams. An accurate and high detection rate allows teams to discover potential vulnerabilities before they are exploited. It also helps organizations quantify the effectiveness of their scanning tools, Vulnerability Scanning protocols, and penetration testing procedures.

How to Measure It: The Vulnerability Detection Rate is typically calculated by dividing the number of detected vulnerabilities by the total vulnerabilities present, which can be estimated based on past data and testing results. Organizations should strive for real-time detection capabilities using tools that integrate vulnerability management with penetration testing solutions. This hybrid approach allows for both automated and manual detection of weaknesses across endpoints, applications, and networks.

Penetration Testing's Role: Penetration testing acts as a simulated attack on the system, testing the detection capabilities of an organization. Conducting regular penetration tests helps verify that vulnerabilities are detected accurately and promptly, which can reveal any gaps in detection mechanisms. A comprehensive penetration test offers insights into vulnerabilities that automated tools may overlook, helping cybersecurity teams to refine their detection tools and strategies.

2. Mean Time to Remediation (MTTR)

Mean Time to Remediation (MTTR) is a crucial metric for understanding the efficiency of an organization’s response to identified vulnerabilities. MTTR calculates the average time taken to fix a vulnerability after its detection. Keeping this metric low is essential for preventing the exploitation of vulnerabilities and ensuring that identified threats do not remain in the system long enough to cause harm.

Why It Matters: The faster an organization remediates a vulnerability, the less time attackers have to exploit it. With the increasing rate of zero-day vulnerabilities in 2024, cybersecurity teams must act quickly once vulnerabilities are identified. A short MTTR not only indicates an agile response capability but also helps in meeting regulatory requirements and reducing potential financial or reputational damage.

How to Measure It: To measure MTTR, calculate the time between when a vulnerability is identified and when it is resolved. Divide the total remediation time across all vulnerabilities by the number of resolved vulnerabilities within a specific timeframe. It is best practice to track MTTR by severity level (e.g., high, medium, low), as high-risk vulnerabilities should generally have a shorter MTTR than low-risk ones.

Penetration Testing's Role: Penetration testing supports MTTR by identifying specific weaknesses in systems and applications, thereby guiding prioritized remediation efforts. It helps highlight vulnerabilities that pose the greatest risk, allowing teams to allocate resources effectively and improve response times. When Penetration Testing is conducted regularly, it can also reveal recurring vulnerabilities, helping teams streamline their remediation processes and reduce MTTR.

3. Vulnerability Reopen Rate

The Vulnerability Reopen Rate metric measures the frequency at which previously remediated vulnerabilities reappear, indicating that previous fixes may have been insufficient or temporary. A high reopen rate suggests that there are issues within the patch management or remediation processes, or that vulnerabilities have returned due to configuration changes, software updates, or inadequate fixes.

Why It Matters: In 2024, complex infrastructures and third-party dependencies mean that vulnerabilities can recur due to software updates or overlooked configurations. A high Vulnerability Reopen Rate can indicate a need for improved patching practices, better configuration management, or more thorough penetration testing to verify that vulnerabilities are completely resolved. Reducing the reopen rate not only boosts security posture but also conserves resources by minimizing repetitive work for security teams.

How to Measure It: Calculate the Vulnerability Reopen Rate by dividing the number of vulnerabilities that have reappeared after initial remediation by the total number of vulnerabilities resolved over a given period. Tracking this metric over time helps organizations understand the consistency and effectiveness of their remediation efforts.

Penetration Testing's Role: Penetration testing is critical in validating that vulnerabilities have been properly remediated. After a vulnerability is patched or mitigated, conducting a follow-up penetration test ensures that the issue has been fully addressed. This practice not only helps to keep the Vulnerability Reopen Rate low but also verifies that patches have not inadvertently created new vulnerabilities. Regular penetration tests are instrumental in keeping this metric under control by providing an extra layer of verification and reducing the chances of vulnerability reoccurrence.

The Role of Penetration Testing in Vulnerability Management Metrics

Incorporating penetration testing into vulnerability management goes beyond simply identifying security gaps; it enhances the entire vulnerability management process. Penetration testing, when conducted consistently, provides a real-world perspective on the security posture of an organization, helping cybersecurity teams to accurately assess and improve each metric. Here’s how:

Improving Detection Accuracy: Penetration testing helps assess the accuracy and coverage of detection tools, enabling organizations to fine-tune their scanning and monitoring systems.

Prioritizing Remediation Efforts: By highlighting high-risk vulnerabilities, penetration tests help in prioritizing and reducing MTTR, as they show which areas need immediate attention and streamline the remediation process.

Ensuring Lasting Remediation: Penetration testing verifies that vulnerabilities have been remediated effectively, which in turn helps in maintaining a low Vulnerability Reopen Rate.

Conclusion

In 2024, vulnerability management metrics like Vulnerability Detection Rate, Mean Time to Remediation (MTTR), and Vulnerability Reopen Rate will be pivotal in measuring and improving an organization’s cybersecurity resilience. Penetration testing plays an indispensable role in supporting these metrics, offering a comprehensive approach to identifying, prioritizing, and validating remediation efforts. By focusing on these metrics and integrating regular penetration testing, organizations can bolster their security posture and reduce their risk of cyber-attacks. Emphasizing these metrics helps companies build a proactive and effective vulnerability management strategy, making 2024 a year of fortified defenses against an evolving threat landscape.

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Web Application Penetration Testing, API Application Security Testing | BlackLock

Looking to get Web Application Penetration Testing services in NZ? BlackLock offers API application penetration testing services. Contact us now!

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Discover BugBait: Hack, Learn & Master Cybersecurity Skills Online | BlackLock

Explore BugBait, the platform revolutionizing ethical hacking. Learn real-world skills through interactive labs, bug bounties, & vulnerability exploitation. Start today BlackLock.io!

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Infrastructure Penetration Testing

Blacklock Security offers a comprehensive Static Application Security Testing (SAST) service to ensure the integrity of your software applications. Their advanced SAST tools meticulously perform Security Code Scanning and identifying potential security vulnerabilities early in the development process. By integrating seamlessly with existing workflows, Blacklock SAST solution streamlines the security assessment process, empowering developers to proactively address potential threats.

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Infrastructure Penetration Testing

Blacklock Security provides in-depth infrastructure penetration testing to bolster the security of your IT systems. Their service encompasses meticulous vulnerability assessments of both external and internal infrastructure components. Blacklock leverages a cloud-based platform to streamline the vulnerability scanning process, ensuring efficient and centralized management. Blacklock furnishes detailed reports along with actionable recommendations to effectively address any identified vulnerabilities.

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Application Vulnerability Scanning

Blacklock Security offers comprehensive application vulnerability scanning services designed to safeguard your digital assets. Their advanced scanning technology meticulously examines web applications, infrastructure, and API endpoints, identifying potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. By leveraging a multi-tool approach, Blacklock ensures thorough coverage of your security landscape.Whether you require on-demand, scheduled, or integrated vulnerability assessments, Blacklock's flexible solutions cater to your specific needs. In addition to vulnerability scanning, they provide expert penetration testing and static code analysis services to fortify your overall security posture.

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Web Application Penetration Testing

Blacklock offers web application penetration testing to help businesses ensure the security of their applications. This service includes identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, APIs, and mobile applications. Our API penetration testing helps to improve application security by simulating real-world attacks and identifying weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Contact Blacklock Security to enhance your web application security and get it work smoothly.

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Best Pen Testing Company

Blacklock is an award-winning penetration testing as a service (PTaaS) platform that offers consultant grade testing with an On Demand experience. The platform allows you to perform continuous unlimited vulnerability scanning, source code scanning and on-demand pen testing service. Blacklock is the most powerful and advanced scan engine for DAST & SAST testing that combines multiple security tools to cover maximum attack surface area. The service is compliant with industry security standards such as OWASP, ISO and SOC2 requirements.

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5 Tips for Selecting a Penetration Testing Company in 2025

As cyber threats continue to grow in sophistication, businesses must stay proactive about securing their digital assets. Penetration testing, a critical part of a robust cybersecurity strategy, involves simulating cyberattacks on a system to identify vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them. While many organizations recognize the need for penetration testing, selecting the right penetration testing company can be challenging given the range of options available.

With the market expected to reach $4.5 billion by 2026 , businesses must make an informed choice when investing in these services. This article outlines five key tips for selecting the right penetration testing company in 2025, ensuring you get the best value and protection for your investment.

1. Evaluate Experience and Industry Specialization

Not all penetration testing companies are created equal. When selecting a provider, it's crucial to look for one that has a proven track record and experience in your specific industry. Cybersecurity needs vary significantly across different sectors—what’s critical for a healthcare provider may be very different from a financial services firm.

Track Record: Look for a company with a solid history of providing penetration testing services. Ask for case studies, client testimonials, and references that can vouch for their expertise. A reputable firm should be able to demonstrate successful projects similar to what you need.

Industry Expertise: Ensure that the provider understands the regulatory and security challenges specific to your industry. For example, in 2023, 83% of healthcare organizations reported being targeted by ransomware attacks , underscoring the need for specialized knowledge in handling patient data. Similarly, financial services companies often need to comply with stringent regulations like PCI-DSS, which requires expertise in securing payment systems.

By choosing a penetration testing company that understands your industry’s unique risks, you can ensure that their testing methodologies align with your security needs.

2. Verify Qualifications and Certifications

Penetration testing is a specialized field that requires specific technical knowledge and skills. When choosing a penetration testing company, it’s essential to verify that their team is well-qualified and holds industry-recognized certifications.

Certifications to Look For: Common certifications that indicate a high level of expertise include Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and CREST. These certifications ensure that the testers have undergone rigorous training and possess a deep understanding of the latest hacking techniques.

Accredited Companies: Look for companies that are accredited by industry bodies like CREST, EC-Council, or ISO 27001. These accreditations signify that the company adheres to industry standards in penetration testing methodologies and data security.

Why This Matters: According to a survey by (ISC)², 70% of cybersecurity professionals believe that the skills gap in the industry is a significant concern . Partnering with a company that has certified professionals helps ensure that you’re working with skilled experts who can identify and address vulnerabilities effectively.

3. Assess the Methodology and Approach

The approach a penetration testing company takes can greatly impact the effectiveness of their service. Understanding their testing methodology helps you gauge their thoroughness and how well their approach aligns with your needs.

White Box, Black Box, or Gray Box Testing: The types of tests conducted vary based on the level of access the tester has to the system. White box testing involves full access to the application code, black box testing is performed with no prior knowledge, and gray box testing combines elements of both. A good penetration testing company should explain which approach is best suited for your needs.

Compliance with Industry Standards: Ensure that the company follows recognized frameworks such as OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project), NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), and MITRE ATT&CK. These standards ensure that the testing process is thorough and aligned with best practices in the industry.

Reporting Quality: A comprehensive and clear report is a key deliverable of any penetration test. The report should not only list vulnerabilities but also provide a detailed risk assessment, impact analysis, and actionable remediation steps. Some companies also offer dashboard-based reporting, which provides real-time insights during the testing process, making it easier to track progress and understand risks.

Statistics to Note: In a 2024 survey by Gartner, 65% of businesses cited the lack of clear reporting as a major frustration when working with third-party cybersecurity providers . A clear, actionable report can make the difference between understanding your risks and merely being aware of them.

4. Consider the Use of PTaaS for Continuous Security

Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) is becoming increasingly popular, providing a flexible, on-demand model for businesses looking to conduct regular security testing. PTaaS platforms offer continuous testing and real-time vulnerability scanning, making them an attractive alternative to traditional penetration testing.

Benefits of PTaaS: PTaaS platforms provide access to a user-friendly dashboard where you can monitor vulnerabilities as they are discovered, track remediation efforts, and collaborate with testers in real-time. This approach is particularly useful for businesses that deploy regular updates to their web applications and need to ensure that each release is secure.

Cost-Effectiveness: Traditional penetration testing can be costly, with one-time tests ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. PTaaS, on the other hand, can offer continuous testing for a more manageable monthly fee, starting at around $1,500 per month . This makes it more accessible for small and medium-sized businesses that want to maintain a high level of security without a large upfront investment.

Why This Matters: The frequency of updates and changes to web applications has increased, with DevOps practices enabling faster releases. In this environment, PTaaS helps maintain continuous security and avoids the gaps that can occur between periodic tests.

5. Review Their Post-Test Support and Remediation Guidance

The value of a penetration test extends beyond identifying vulnerabilities—it lies in the guidance provided for fixing them. A good web application penetration testing company will offer post-test support, helping your development and IT teams understand the findings and implement effective remediation measures.

Remediation Guidance: Look for a company that provides detailed recommendations on how to address each identified vulnerability. This may include guidance on code fixes, configuration changes, or suggestions for improving security practices.

Availability for Re-Testing: After the vulnerabilities have been fixed, re-testing is essential to verify that the issues have been resolved properly. Some companies offer re-testing as part of their package, while others may charge additional fees. Make sure to clarify this upfront.

Training for Your Team: Some penetration testing companies also provide training sessions for your in-house development or security teams, helping them better understand the vulnerabilities and how to prevent them in the future. This can be especially valuable if your team is new to security best practices.

Statistics Highlight: A report by Forrester in 2024 found that 78% of organizations improved their security posture by working with penetration testing companies that offered comprehensive post-test support . This underscores the importance of selecting a partner who is committed to helping you address vulnerabilities, not just identifying them.

Conclusion

Choosing the right penetration testing company is a critical decision that can significantly impact your organization’s cybersecurity posture. By evaluating the provider’s experience, qualifications, methodology, and post-test support, and by considering the flexibility of PTaaS models, you can find a partner that aligns with your specific needs.

With the ever-evolving threat landscape, it’s more important than ever to invest in robust security measures and partner with experts who can help you stay ahead of potential risks. As you navigate the market in 2025, these tips will help ensure that you make an informed decision that supports the security of your digital assets.

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Static Application Security Testing (SAST) & Static Code Scanning Services

Enhance your software security with our Static Application Security Testing (SAST) services. We analyze your code for vulnerabilities early in the development process, helping you build secure applications and reduce risks before deployment.

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Infrastructure Penetration Testing Services - BlackLock

Secure your network with our infrastructure penetration testing. Our expert team assesses your network, servers, and devices for weaknesses, simulating attacks to ensure your infrastructure is resilient against potential breaches.

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Application Vulnerability Scanning Services - BlackLock

Stay ahead of threats with our proactive vulnerability scanning services. We conduct thorough assessments to identify and prioritize vulnerabilities in your systems, providing actionable insights to enhance your security posture and mitigate risks.