Audit, pentest and awareness - Identify your vulnerabilities and strengthen your teams

A security audit involves an in-depth analysis of systems, configurations and processes to identify potential vulnerabilities. It's a methodical, exhaustive approach, often based on reference frameworks (ISO 27001, CIS, ANSSI), while a pentest, or penetration test, simulates a real attack to assess the ability of defenses to detect and counter an intrusion. The two approaches are complementary: an audit provides an overall view of weak points, while a pentest verifies the actual robustness of systems.

Active Directory and Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) are strategic components, as they manage identities and access. An AD/Entra ID audit can detect dormant accounts, weak passwords, configuration flaws and insecure privileged access. This type of audit has become essential, as the majority of cyber-attacks exploit vulnerabilities linked to corporate directories.

A source code audit, or security code review, enables you to detect logical and technical vulnerabilities directly in the software you develop or use. This analysis can be carried out using static analysis tools (SAST), which examine the code without executing it, and dynamic tools (DAST), which test the application's behavior in operation. Code auditing is particularly critical for web, mobile and business applications: by securing the code at source, we reduce the cost of correction, improve software quality and limit the risks of exploitation once the application is in production.

Simulated campaigns reproduce the techniques used by cybercriminals, by sending fake emails to employees. The aim is to measure their vigilance, identify vulnerable users and offer targeted training. This approach helps to gradually improve the maturity of teams, while creating a culture of vigilance. It's an effective method, because it confronts users with real-life situations, without endangering the company.

Even the best security tools are not enough if users make mistakes (clicking on a fraudulent link, sharing sensitive data, using weak passwords). Human error is involved in over 80% of successful cyberattacks. It transforms employees into the first line of defense, able to identify and report suspicious behavior. A company that invests in training considerably reduces its exposure to risk.

Most standards require regular security checks: ISO 27001 imposes tests and verifications, the RGPD demands proof of personal data protection, and NIS2 insists on proactive vulnerability management. Although not always explicitly mentioned, audits, pentests and code audits are essential means of demonstrating compliance and proving that protection measures are not just theoretical.

In addition to regulatory requirements, cyber insurers are increasingly demanding proof of regular audits before issuing or renewing coverage. Without such proof, companies may be denied compensation in the event of a claim. Similarly, some customers and partners impose audits and pentests as a prerequisite for signing or maintaining a contract, particularly in sensitive sectors such as finance, industry or healthcare.

In practice, even when they are not explicitly required by law, audits, pentests and code audits are becoming indispensable for obtaining appropriate assurances, gaining customer confidence and maintaining a credible, verifiable security posture.