Maybe your team is asking for new software to manage vulnerabilities.
Maybe they want penetration testing tools to check your network security.
At first glance, it seems like a smart move. More security is better, right?
Not necessarily.
There’s a reason real penetration tests start at $10,000 or more—because they require people, not just software.
The Big Problem with DIY Security Testing
If your IT team is scanning for vulnerabilities using automated tools, they’re only finding what they already know to look for.
The problem? Hackers don’t play by the rules.
Here’s an example:
Imagine you install a gate across a sidewalk. Your team tests the gate to make sure it’s locked.
Great. It’s secure.
But there’s no fence on either side. A hacker just walks around it.
That’s exactly how cybercriminals bypass security controls.
If your IT team is only testing what they already know, they’re missing the ways hackers actually get in.
Why Third-Party Testing Is the Only Real Test
We perform thousands of penetration tests per year. Even the best security teams have gaps.
That’s because real penetration testing doesn’t just scan for problems—it thinks like an attacker.
A real penetration test:
- Maps out your entire environment—not just the tools you’re watching.
- Uses automated attack methods—to see where defenses actually fail.
- Finds paths around security controls—just like a hacker would.
This is not something an IT team can do on its own.
That’s why cyber insurance companies and security standards require third-party testing.
Because self-scanning with an IT tool is not a real security test. It’s an internal audit. And an internal audit won’t stop a hacker.
The Bottom Line
If your team is asking for penetration testing software, ask them this:
“Are you testing the gate, or the whole system?”
Because if they’re only testing the gate, hackers are already walking right around it.
Want to know how secure you really are? Get a real third-party penetration test. Because hackers won’t warn you before they attack.
