The threat of cyberattacks is ever-present, making it crucial for organizations to continuously evaluate and strengthen their cybersecurity measures. Regular penetration testing is a key component of this effort, as it identifies vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. But there’s one crucial question many organizations overlook:

What is the impact to my company if an identified vulnerability is exploited?

At HALOCK Security Labs, we use three categories to rate the criticality of findings:

  1. Complexity: How hard is it to exploit an identified vulnerability?  Does it require multiple steps, specialized tools, and/or lots of effort?
  2. Potential Impact: What type of information is exposed or access is achieved.  Revealing the version of a software application is a different potential impact then compromising credentials or obtaining access to backend systems.
  3. Frequency: How often does the vulnerability get utilized by attackers.  HALOCK, utilizing information from the Veris Community Database as well as the hundreds of incidents worked by HALOCK has the data to determine the frequency a vulnerability is exploited.


How does our security performance compare to others in our industry? Are your defenses as strong as they need to be, or lagging behind?

At HALOCK Security Labs, we’ve taken penetration testing a step further by incorporating a unique benchmarking feature into our reporting. This enables organizations to not only identify vulnerabilities but also see how their results stack up against industry peers. Understanding your organization’s risk in the context of your competitors gives you a more comprehensive view of your cybersecurity posture, helping you take the right steps to stay ahead.

The Power of Benchmarking in Penetration Testing

What sets HALOCK’s penetration testing apart is our ability to provide detailed peer comparisons. After conducting a penetration test, we include a report that compares your results to others in your industry. This benchmarking insight is a game changer—rather than simply understanding where your vulnerabilities lie, you gain a clear understanding of how your security compares to competitors in the same space.
Benchmarking gives you a broader perspective, allowing you to gauge whether your security measures are above or below industry standards. For example, if your vulnerability scores are higher than the average, you’ll know that you’re at a greater risk and need to focus on strengthening specific areas. On the flip side, if your scores are lower than most, it indicates that your organization is ahead of the curve, and you may be able to use that as a foundation to reinforce other aspects of your security strategy. This valuable insight allows you to make informed decisions about where to focus your security resources.

Tailored Remediation Steps for Greater Impact

In addition to providing a peer comparison, HALOCK’s penetration testing includes tailored remediation steps, giving you actionable insights to address vulnerabilities effectively. Our team of experts doesn’t just point out what’s wrong; we provide specific, customized advice to help you improve your security posture based on your unique needs.
These recommendations go beyond generic solutions. We take into account the specific vulnerabilities identified in your test and offer remediation steps that align with your industry’s best practices. This allows you to act quickly and efficiently, reducing your risk and strengthening your defenses against potential threats.

 Example: Before and After Remediation

pen test report 2pen test report 1

Stay Ahead with HALOCK Security Labs

Penetration testing is a critical component of any robust cybersecurity strategy, but the addition of criticality reporting, benchmarking, and tailored remediation sets HALOCK apart. Understanding your organization’s performance in the context of your competitors allows you to make informed decisions, prioritize improvements, and ultimately reduce your risk.