Strengthening IT Governance in the Crypto Marketplace: Leveraging Penetration Testing and Standards Alignment

This research explores the vital role of penetration testing in cybersecurity, specifically its alignment with ISO 27001:2022, COBIT 2019, and NIST CSF standards in the context of crypto asset exchange management. These sectors grapple with rapidly evolving threat landscapes, necessitating robust cybersecurity strategies. However, the integration of penetration testing with these standards remains underexamined. Through a comprehensive approach, including literature reviews, surveys, case studies, and interviews, this study investigates the incorporation of penetration testing into an organization's cybersecurity. It unveils the current state of penetration testing practices, interprets ISO 27001:2022, COBIT 2019, and NIST CSF perspectives, and pinpoints integration challenges and opportunities. This study offers practical insights and best practices for integrating penetration testing into cybersecurity frameworks by emphasizing alignment. It underscores the importance of aligning penetration testing with information security standards in the crypto asset exchange management sector, enhancing security, proactively identifying vulnerabilities, and effectively mitigating risks in the context of growing crypto asset importance. This research provides invaluable guidance for safeguarding digital assets in this evolving domain.