What type of testing should be performed annually as part of information security?

Penetration testing is a critical component of a robust information security strategy, especially when it comes to meeting compliance requirements like those outlined in the PCI DSS. This type of testing simulates real-world attacks on an organization’s systems to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. By performing penetration tests annually, organizations can assess the effectiveness of their security measures and identify any weaknesses that may have emerged due to changes in the environment or new threats.

Penetration testing not only helps in discovering vulnerabilities but also assists in evaluating the organization's incident response capabilities, the effectiveness of security controls, and the security posture of the environment as a whole. As threats evolve and new vulnerabilities are discovered, annual testing ensures that the organization's defenses are appropriately updated and that they remain resilient against targeted attacks.

While vulnerability scanning and social engineering testing are also important, they serve different purposes and may not capture the same depth of security weaknesses that a penetration test can reveal. Malware analysis, on the other hand, focuses on understanding malicious software but does not directly test the defenses of an organization's infrastructure. Thus, penetration testing stands out as the most comprehensive and proactive approach to annual security testing.