Does covert security testing involve the organization's IT staff being informed?

Covert security testing is designed to simulate real-world attacks on an organization’s systems without the knowledge of the organization's IT staff. The primary objective of this type of testing is to assess the effectiveness of security measures and incident response capabilities under realistic conditions, thereby identifying vulnerabilities that may not be apparent when staff members are aware of the testing.

By not informing the IT staff, covert testing ensures that the results reflect the organization’s true security posture, as IT personnel would typically respond differently if they were aware of the test. This leads to a more accurate evaluation of how well the organization can respond to actual security threats.

Moreover, keeping the testing covert can help organizations better prepare for actual breaches by providing insights into how unnoticed vulnerabilities could be exploited, as well as highlighting gaps in security policies and incident response plans. This approach is essential for adjusting defenses and ensuring that the organization is truly prepared for potential attacks in the real world.