Why many German companies shy away from penetration tests - and why that's a mistake

1. lack of awareness of the threat

One of the main reasons for the reluctance of many companies is the underestimation of cyber threats. The prevailing attitude is often: "Why should we be the target of a cyber attack? " Smaller companies in particular think that they are not interesting enough for hackers. But the reality is different: Cyber criminals specifically target companies that are poorly protected - and this often affects SMEs.

Companies often only come under pressure once an attack has actually taken place. The financial and reputational damage caused by a cyberattack is often significantly higher than the cost of a preventive pentest.

Conclusion:

The belief that "nothing will happen" is dangerous. Companies should understand that proactive security measures - such as a pentest - form the basis for securing their business operations.

2. cost perception: Expensive, but with no visible ROI?

A penetration test costs between 850 and 30,000 euros, depending on the size and scope of the IT system. For many companies, these amounts initially seem high - especially if there is no legal obligation.

However, the real problem lies not in the costs themselves, but in the perception. Security measures such as a pentest do not offer an obvious return on investment (ROI) - at least not at first glance. While new machines or software flow directly into production or day-to-day business, the benefits of a pentest are difficult to grasp. However, it is often overlooked that a successful pentest can save a company from potential losses running into millions.

Conclusion:

Pentests are not an expense, but an investment in the future. The question should not be "can we afford it?", but rather: "Can we afford not to carry out a pentest?"

3. "Why change something if nothing has happened so far?"

Another reason for this reluctance is a reactive rather than proactive mindset. Companies that have so far been spared cyberattacks are often lulled into a false sense of security. This "nothing has happened yet" mentality means that security measures are only seriously considered after an attack.

But the statistics tell a different story: according to studies, over 70% of SMEs worldwide experience cyberattacks every year - and the number of unreported cases is probably even higher. Many companies only realise how poorly protected they are when it is too late.

Conclusion:

IT security should always be considered preventively. If you wait for the first attack, you risk not only financial losses but also serious damage to your image.

4. trust in existing security measures

Many companies rely on existing security solutions such as firewalls, anti-virus programmes or managed services provided by external IT service providers. Although these tools and services are important, they are not enough.

A pentest simulates real attacks and checks the entire security infrastructure - including human vulnerabilities such as phishing susceptibility or inadequately protected access data. No security tool, no matter how good, can uncover these weaknesses on its own.

Conclusion:

Pentests provide a realistic picture of a company's IT security situation. They are a useful addition to other security measures and show where there are gaps - before an attacker finds them.

5. fear of the result

An underestimated psychological factor: some companies are simply afraid of what a pentest might reveal. Uncovering vulnerabilities and security gaps often means that resources - time and money - have to be allocated to fixing these problems.

In addition, some companies fear that a poor test result could have a negative impact on the trust of customers or partners if they find out about it.

Conclusion:

Security vulnerabilities are a reality that every company has to face. A pentest is not an attack, but a tool for making targeted improvements. Transparency and problem-solving expertise strengthen the trust of stakeholders in the long term.

6. lack of external pressure

In Germany, there is no general legal obligation for companies to carry out pentests. Although industry-specific laws (such as the IT Security Act or the GDPR) require appropriate protective measures, a pentest is not explicitly prescribed.

In industries such as critical infrastructure (KRITIS), finance or healthcare, there is already greater pressure to carry out security checks. However, many companies outside of these sectors do not feel obliged to do so and are putting the issue on the back burner.

Conclusion:

A lack of legal pressure should not be a reason to neglect IT security. A pentest provides clarity about your own weaknesses and protects you from considerable costs in the event of an attack.

Why it's worth taking the step towards a pentest

Despite the reservations, there are numerous good reasons why companies should take the step of a penetration test:

• Cost savings: a pentest costs only a fraction of the potential damage that can be caused by cyber attacks (e.g. data loss, production downtime, reputational damage).
• Legal security: A pentest helps to better fulfil the requirements of the GDPR and other IT security standards.
• Strengthen trust: Companies that actively invest in IT security appear professional and trustworthy to customers and partners.
• Competitive advantage: In an increasingly digitalised world, IT security is becoming a decisive factor in standing out from the competition.

Conclusion

The reluctance of many German companies towards pentests is understandable, but dangerous. Cyber attacks are a real threat and a pentest is one of the most effective measures to protect against them. It is time for companies to stop viewing IT security as a cost factor and start viewing it as a strategic investment - an investment in their own future viability.

Proactive security always pays off. The next attack could be closer than you think.

Contact me when you like to improve your IT security per email info@steffiscloud.de