CISOs Turn to Continuous Cybersecurity Testing As Attacks Surge
The news is in, and it’s giving chief information security officers (CISOs) more headaches. According to a Bugcrowd report, hardware vulnerabilities jumped 88% over the past year, and network flaws doubled.
That’s no small thing. For security leaders in particular, it’s yet another reminder that a single penetration test each year is no longer enough to keep attackers at bay. So, what does that mean for CISOs? The answer is continuous testing and monitoring, not checking things out once and calling it good.
Cybersecurity Testing Can’t Be One-and-Done
The message from the report is clear. Cybersecurity testing has to be continuous. Checking once and filing the report away won’t cut it anymore.
Why? Attack surfaces are expanding fast as organizations add APIs, migrate services to the cloud, and connect more hardware than ever. On the other hand, threat actors are leaning on AI tools to speed up and scale their attacks.
That’s why penetration testers and ethical hackers are no longer just outside consultants. More companies are bringing them in on a continuous basis, treating them like extensions of the internal security team.
The numbers can’t be ignored. Hardware vulnerabilities are up nearly 90 percent. Network flaws doubled. Attackers are moving faster, often using AI to stay one step ahead.
The Weak Points Everyone’s Talking About
What exactly did the Bugcrowd data highlight that’s keeping CISOs up at night? Let’s take a look—and more importantly, what can be done about it:
1. APIs
These connect modern systems and remain a prime target for attackers. Exploits often stem from misconfigurations, outdated endpoints, or exposed keys.
What to Do: Maintain a full inventory of APIs, restrict access with strong authentication, and implement continuous scanning to detect shadow APIs or insecure connections.
2. Hardware
Vulnerabilities jumped nearly 90 percent, showing that attackers are expanding beyond software. Firmware flaws, weak device authentication, and insecure IoT hardware are common entry points.
What to Do: Establish a regular firmware patch cycle, enforce strict hardware asset management, and evaluate vendors for security compliance before deployment.
3. Networks
Exposures have doubled, especially in hybrid and remote environments. Legacy configurations and unmonitored network segments increase the attack surface.
What to Do: Segment critical networks, monitor for lateral movement, and deploy ongoing vulnerability scans. Adopting Zero Trust principles—particularly microsegmentation—can significantly reduce risk.
4. Access Controls
Overprivileged accounts and missing MFA continue to undermine security. Many breaches trace back to poor identity management practices.
What to Do: Enforce least-privilege access, automate account reviews, and require MFA across all systems. Tightening identity governance should be a top priority for security teams.
Why Pen Testers are in Demand
As vulnerabilities pile up, demand for penetration testing and ethical hacking has understandably followed. Strong security programs are now evolving to include staples like bug bounty programs, red team testing, and vulnerability testing.
Additionally, the role of the ethical hacker has changed. They’re no longer considered occasional consultants and are instead evolving into key partners for CISOs. Why? Companies want to partner with professionals who can think like attackers and are knowledgeable about modern security tools. The ability to explain results in a language business leaders understand is also a bonus.
Pen testers and ethical hackers are becoming frontline allies. Continuous penetration testing has shifted from a best practice to an essential practice. And for IT professionals, that change is both a warning and an opening. Building skills in penetration testing and vulnerability testing means stepping into one of the most important roles in cybersecurity today.
Why Continuous Testing Pays Off
Because annual audits are now outdated in today’s threat environment, continuous penetration testing is no longer optional; it’s essential. Attackers don’t wait for your next audit cycle, and your defenses shouldn’t either.
Continuous testing creates a feedback loop where vulnerabilities are caught early, fixes are deployed faster, and teams can measure progress over time. Instead of discovering issues months later, security teams can identify weaknesses within days or even hours.
This shift also benefits leadership. When CISOs can show a clear record of findings, patches, and risk reduction over time, they’re no longer defending why an incident happened—they’re demonstrating resilience and accountability. Continuous testing also helps meet compliance requirements, supports insurance renewals, and strengthens stakeholder confidence.
Ultimately, continuous testing moves cybersecurity from a reactive process to a proactive strategy. It keeps teams agile, limits dwell time for attackers, and builds a culture where defense improvement is constant, not crisis-driven.
Where Training Fits In
There’s still a major skills gap in cybersecurity, and training remains critical. Security teams that understand ethical hacking, automation, and scripting are better equipped to respond to evolving threats and to anticipate attacks before they strike.
Continuous testing isn’t just about the tools you use, but the skills your team brings to the table. Investing in training ensures those tools are used effectively and your staff can adapt as threats evolve.
Some practical CBT Nuggets courses to help your team stay ahead include:
Ethical hacking training to find vulnerabilities before hackers do.
CompTIA Security+ for foundational security knowledge.
AWS Security for cloud environments.
Python training to build custom testing tools.
If you want to see how training impacts your bottom line, try the CBT Nuggets IT Training Value Calculator. It helps quantify how upskilling your team can improve productivity, reduce incidents, and strengthen your organization’s overall security posture.
Final Thoughts on New Security Data
The data paints a clear picture: hardware flaws are up 88%, network vulnerabilities have doubled, and annual audits can’t keep pace. Continuous penetration testing has moved from best practice to business necessity.
For CISOs, it’s a path to real-time insight and resilience. For IT professionals, it’s an opportunity—developing skills in ethical hacking and vulnerability testing will keep you relevant in a fast-changing field.
Want to learn more about cybersecurity and cloud security? This expert-led training from CBT Nuggets is a great place to start.
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