In today’s landscape, it appears that nearly everything is either a web application or relies on some backend web service. As most organizations possess a fairly mature external network perimeter, attackers have shifted their focus towards exploiting application vulnerabilities as a means to breach companies. Bota Security® goes beyond automated scans by conducting meticulous manual assessments of web applications, delving deep to uncover severe flaws that scanners may overlook. These vulnerabilities include privilege escalation, logic flaws, and encryption implementation issues. This process is also known as Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST). However,Bota Security® doesn’t stop there; we provide our clients with added value through whitebox testing. To achieve this, we conduct source-assisted testing, as there are numerous vulnerabilities that are more readily discovered with access to the application’s source code.

Numerous companies have mobile applications, aiming to offer additional value and convenience to their clients. However, this also introduces an extended attack surface for these companies. Bota Security® conducts in-depth analyses of primarily iOS and Android applications, scrutinizing various aspects such as local storage, transport security between the application and the web service, local database use, and the application runtime environment. We also employ techniques like hooking the application to bypass protections. This process is also known as Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST). Nevertheless,Bota Security® takes it a step further to provide our clients with additional value through whitebox testing. To achieve this, we conduct source-assisted testing, as there are numerous vulnerabilities that are more easily discovered with access to the application’s source code.

Certain classes of vulnerabilities, such as hard-coded credentials and encryption implementation flaws, are incredibly challenging to detect through dynamic testing, particularly within time-constrained assessments. Moreover, once a vulnerability is uncovered, examining the source code allows for the identification of other instances where this flaw might exist due to code reuse. To address this,Bota Security® thoroughly examines the application’s source code alongside running static code analyzers to pinpoint weaknesses within the codebase. This process is known as Static Application Security Testing (SAST). Our approach is intelligently designed to prioritize security-critical features, such as authentication, authorization, and encryption, before expanding outward. Additionally,Bota Security® eliminates false positives, a common issue with automated scanners, by rigorously validating the presence of each identified vulnerability.

By conducting a thorough review of the design, architecture, and configuration of applications during the early stages of development, various classes of vulnerabilities can be mitigated before they reach the production environment. Bota Security® offers assistance in the design process of applications and ensures that the intended deployment environments are implemented securely. This is achieved by scrutinizing the proposed architecture and design of an application and comparing it against established security best practices.

As companies increasingly adopt cloud services to seek cost savings, they must remain vigilant about the potential risks and exposure it can entail. While cloud usage itself is not inherently dangerous, it is essential to exercise due diligence in implementing and configuring the service correctly, adhering to security best practices, just as with any on-premise system. Bota Security® possesses expertise in a wide range of popular cloud services available on the market, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. We can assist companies in ensuring that these environments are properly configured to safeguard their users’ data from potential attackers.

Embedded systems, like ATMs, Point-of-Sale (POS) systems, and similar devices, often operate on scaled-down, customized, or proprietary Operating Systems. A breach of these systems can have severe consequences for the company and its customers. Assessing the security of these systems demands a specialized skill set to examine the system comprehensively, encompassing the hardware, network, and application layers. Bota Security® is proficient in conducting these types of assessments, equipped with a team of specialists with the expertise required for such evaluations.

Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become increasingly popular among both consumers and corporate users, including in the maritime industry. Whether it’s connected navigation systems or engine monitoring sensors on ships, they offer significant value but also potential security risks. Bota Security® has extensive expertise in testing and securing maritime IoT applications. Our team specializes in hardware, network, and application layer security assessments tailored to the unique needs of internet-connected systems in marine environments. With experience across shipboard IoT devices and shoreside infrastructure,Bota Security® can effectively evaluate and strengthen security of critical maritime IoT deployments against modern cyber threats.

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are the backbone of critical infrastructures worldwide, ensuring the smooth operation of essential facilities such as nuclear power plants and power grids. Their reliable functioning is imperative to sustain our daily lives. However, these systems are often characterized by their age and fragility, forming a potentially volatile combination.

In the naval sector, SCADA systems play a pivotal role in the operation and management of various critical assets, ranging from propulsion systems and navigation to environmental control and security mechanisms. Given the sensitive nature of these systems, their security is of paramount importance to safeguard against potential cyber threats and unauthorized access.

At Bota Security, our testing team possesses significant expertise in effectively evaluating SCADA systems, taking utmost care to ensure the preservation of their operational stability. We understand the intricacies and challenges associated with these legacy systems, employing specialized testing methodologies to identify vulnerabilities while minimizing any disruptions to the core functionality. Our approach revolves around meticulous testing and threat simulations, aiming to fortify the defenses of these systems and enhance their resilience against potential cyber attacks.

By partnering withBota Security® for SCADA system assessments in the naval sector, organizations can be assured that their critical infrastructure remains secure, enabling uninterrupted operations and mitigating the risks posed by the evolving cybersecurity landscape. Our team’s experience and competence in handling these specialized systems allow us to tailor our testing efforts to ensure the highest level of security while safeguarding the continuity of naval operations.

Mainframes continue to process a significant portion of banking transactions and house sensitive customer data, yet their security is often overlooked in favor of more modern systems. While penetration testing of internet-facing systems and networks remains crucial, banks should also prioritize evaluating security of the mainframe environment.

A dedicated mainframe penetration testing service can help identify vulnerabilities and gaps unique to these systems, such as:

• Weaknesses in proprietary mainframe protocols like CICS, IMS, and JES.
• Failure to properly segregate production, test, and development environments.
• Insufficient mainframe dataset permissions and access controls.
• Lack of activity logging and monitoring of admin actions.
• Poor change control processes for mainframe code changes.
• Mainframe networking exposures and perimeter weaknesses.

Testing would utilize a mix of automated scanning tools tailored to mainframes, as well as manual reviews of configurations, permissions, and system processes by experienced mainframe security consultants. Ethical hacking techniques can probe for unauthorized access opportunities.

Mainframe security assessments augment standard penetration testing by evaluating the foundational systems still crucial to banking operations. Though less visible, mainframes require dedicated focus to avoid overlooked exposures that could provide a foothold for attacks on the bank’s most critical assets. By partnering with Bota Security® for periodic in-depth mainframes system assessments the bank will reduce this hidden risk.