How can you test and audit the security of your internet services?

1 Scan for open ports

One of the first steps to test the security of your internet services is to scan for open ports, which are the entry points for network communication. Open ports can expose your services to unauthorized access, attacks, or data leakage. You can use tools like Nmap, Port Scanner, or Netcat to scan your own or external internet services, and see which ports are open, what services are running on them, and what information they reveal. You should close or filter any unnecessary or unused ports, and secure the ones that are required for your services.

2 Check for vulnerabilities

The next step is to check for vulnerabilities, which are flaws or weaknesses in your internet services that can be exploited by hackers or malicious software. Vulnerabilities can exist in your software, hardware, configuration, or protocols, and can lead to data breaches, denial-of-service, or remote code execution. You can use tools like Nessus, OpenVAS, or Nikto to scan your internet services for known vulnerabilities, and get detailed reports and recommendations on how to fix them. You should also keep your internet services updated with the latest patches and security fixes, and follow best practices for secure coding and configuration.

3 Perform penetration testing

Penetration testing, or pentesting, is a simulated attack on your internet services, to evaluate their security and resilience. Pentesting can help you discover unknown vulnerabilities, test your defenses and response, and validate your security policies and procedures. You can use tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, or ZAP to perform pentesting on your internet services, or hire a professional pentester or a pentesting company to do it for you. You should always obtain permission and consent before pentesting any internet service, and follow ethical and legal guidelines.

4 Review your logs and alerts

Another important step to audit the security of your internet services is to review your logs and alerts, which are records of the events and activities that occur on your internet services. Logs and alerts can help you monitor your internet services' performance, availability, and security, and detect any anomalies, errors, or incidents. You can use tools like Splunk, ELK, or Graylog to collect, analyze, and visualize your logs and alerts, and set up notifications and dashboards for easy access. You should also configure your logs and alerts to comply with any data retention and privacy requirements.

5 Conduct a risk assessment

A risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the risks that affect your internet services' security. Risks can include threats, such as hackers, malware, or natural disasters, and vulnerabilities, such as outdated software, weak passwords, or misconfigured settings. A risk assessment can help you prioritize and mitigate the risks, and plan for contingency and recovery. You can use tools like OWASP Risk Rating Methodology, NIST SP 800-30, or ISO 27005 to conduct a risk assessment on your internet services, or consult a security expert or a risk management firm to assist you.

6 Implement security controls

The final step is to implement security controls, which are measures or actions that you take to protect your internet services from risks. Security controls can include technical, administrative, or physical controls, such as encryption, authentication, backup, firewall, policies, training, or locks. Security controls can help you prevent, detect, or respond to security incidents, and enhance your internet services' confidentiality, integrity, and availability. You can use tools like CIS Benchmarks, NIST SP 800-53, or ISO 27001 to implement security controls on your internet services, or follow the recommendations from your previous tests and audits.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?