Final answer:
During a penetration test, communication between the client and the tester is essential to determine if an attack is authorized or real. They establish a communication policy, share attack signatures, and have a verification process in place. This allows for proper incident verification and root cause analysis if needed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process surrounding the communication between the client and the tester during a penetration test involves several steps to ensure that the detected attack is verified as being authorized or as a genuine threat from an external hacker. These steps include communication policy establishment, attack signature sharing, and incident verification. Initially, a communication policy should be defined that outlines how the client and tester will interact during the penetration test, especially in the event that suspicious activities are detected.
Next, in the case of an alert, the penetration tester should provide information on the signature of the attack they are conducting to help the client's security team distinguish it from real threats. This could include specific IP addresses, attack patterns, or scheduled testing times. Finally, if an attack is detected, the client will communicate with the tester using the established policy to verify the incident. The tester confirms whether the activity is part of the authorized testing, or the client must treat it as an actual compromise attempt by a third party.
It's also advisable to conduct a root cause analysis to determine the authenticity of an alert and identify whether it is a test scenario or a real attack. By following a process that includes open lines of communication, attack pattern disclosure, and thorough verification, clients and testers can effectively discern between testing activities and malicious hack attempts.
Establishing a robust communication strategy before the penetration testing begins is crucial for the effective management of potential security incidents. This ensures that both the client and the tester have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in distinguishing between a test and a real attack.