An organization can invest in advanced defensive tools, but without a systematic examination of the actual security status, it's difficult to know how truly resilient the defense is. Information security testing is designed precisely for this purpose: to expose weaknesses before attackers find them and to give the organization a reliable snapshot of the gaps that need to be closed. This is a significant process from a legal, business, and technological perspective, and in recent years has also become an explicit regulatory requirement for many databases in Israel.
Instead of relying on assumptions about defense strength, the organization gains a factual basis for decision-making and prioritizing investments in the right places. It is important to understand that a defense that looks excellent on paper does not necessarily stand up to reality, and only practical testing reveals the gap between planning and actual execution. An organization that conducts tests systematically transforms risk management from an ambiguous area into a measurable process, where improvement can be tracked over time and compliance with requirements can be demonstrated to clients and regulators.
Why are information security audits a business and regulatory requirement
On May 9, 2024, the Israel Privacy Protection Authority published its position regarding the performance of risk surveys and penetration tests on databases. The obligation to perform them is stipulated in the Privacy Protection Regulations concerning databases that are subject to a high security level, but in practice, these are desirable practices for any organization and for any personal database. In addition, Amendment 13 to the Privacy Protection Law emphasizes the need for periodic checks to ensure that systems optimally protect the information.
Information security audits help an organization comply with legal requirements, but more importantly, they provide it with an accurate understanding of the risks it faces and the controls it must implement to mitigate them. The Privacy Protection Authority has clarified that these are essential stages from a legal, business, and technological perspective, and that they are advisable even for an organization that holds a database with medium or basic security levels. In other words, even when there is no explicit legal obligation, this is a practice that protects the organization from damage, and therefore it is worthwhile in any case. Avoiding audits does not save costs but postpones them to a less convenient time, usually after the damage has already occurred.
Main Test Types
The testing space has several complementary components. A risk survey thoroughly examines the organization's assets and the threats against them, a penetration test simulates a real attacker to identify exploitable vulnerabilities, vulnerability scanning identifies known weaknesses in systems, and employee awareness testing examines how well the team identifies attack attempts. Each of these tests examines a different angle of the defense system, and only their combination provides a complete picture. The process is not a one-time event but part of an ongoing cycle of examination and improvement, where each test feeds into the next, allowing the organization to progress in a structured manner. The choice of appropriate testing types depends on the organization's risk level and the nature of the information it manages. An organization holding a lot of sensitive information will require a more comprehensive mix of tests, while a small organization can start with a basic risk survey and vulnerability scanning and expand later. What all tests have in common is that they do not end with the execution itself, but with drawing conclusions and a structured action plan to close the gaps that were discovered.
- Risk assessment for a thorough analysis of organizational risks
- Penetration test to identify exploitable vulnerabilities
- Vulnerability scanning to identify known weaknesses
- Employee Awareness Testing vs. Attack Attempts
- A re-examination to ensure the gaps have indeed closed.
Steps for conducting a risk assessment
A comprehensive risk survey is built in clear stages. First, the organization's assets are defined, then the threats against them are identified and analyzed, and then weaknesses and vulnerabilities that could expose the organization to risk are located. In the next stage, the impact of the realization of each risk on the organization is assessed, existing controls are mapped against those that should be implemented to minimize the likelihood of the risk materializing, and finally, a reassessment is performed to ensure all risk components have been addressed. Such an organized process turns a list of findings into a practical work plan. Professional guidance throughout the process, such as that offered by Ofek Dist's Information Security Experts, This helps ensure that information security tests are performed orderly and yield practical results, not just a report that remains on the shelf. It's important to remember that even after the survey is completed, addressing the discovered risk does not depend on waiting for the next testing cycle, but is carried out immediately upon its discovery.
When and how often should the tests be performed?
It is recommended to conduct the comprehensive risk survey immediately after the database is activated and the systems are established, as it is at this point that the risks the organization is expected to face are created and consolidated. According to the regulations, risks must be reviewed at least once every eighteen months, but this is only the minimum frequency. An organization that becomes aware of a new security risk or a change in its risk mapping must act immediately to mitigate it and not wait for the period to pass, as dealing with a risk does not depend on conducting the periodic survey. In this sense, information security checks are not a single event but a management habit that is updated with every change in the technological environment and with every development in threats. Adding a new system, migrating to another cloud provider, or a significant change in work processes are all moments when it is advisable to re-examine the security status, even if eighteen months have not yet passed since the previous check. This approach makes the checks a natural part of the organization's systems' life cycle, ensuring that the protection evolves along with the environment it is meant to safeguard.
Properly performing tests requires appropriate knowledge and tools. Ofek Dist accompanies organizations in conducting risk surveys and provides vulnerability scanning alongside it, to give the organization a clear starting point for understanding its security status and closing the most significant gaps, so that a systematic examination serves as a starting point for any protection plan and any investment decision in security resources.
Information security testing as a management habit
Information security tests are the tool that allows an organization to know how truly resilient its defense is. The process includes a risk assessment, penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and employee awareness testing. Israeli regulation mandates these tests for high-security databases and recommends them for all organizations. It is advisable to perform them immediately upon system establishment, repeat them periodically, and update them with every significant change in the environment. A structured process and professional guidance transform these tests into a management tool, not a one-time technical action, and allow the organization to properly prioritize its defense resources. Ofek Dist assists organizations in conducting risk assessments and vulnerability scans as part of this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is obligated to perform information security audits according to the law?
The regulation's obligation applies to databases that require a high level of security. However, it is recommended to perform these checks in every organization and for every personal database, even those with lower security levels.
How often should a risk assessment be performed?
At least once every eighteen months according to regulations, and immediately upon the establishment of the reservoir. However, when a new risk is discovered, action must be taken to address it immediately and not wait.
What is the difference between a risk assessment and a penetration test?
A risk assessment thoroughly examines assets, threats, and necessary controls, while a penetration test simulates a real attacker to identify exploitable vulnerabilities. The two are complementary.
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