Penetration Testing

We offer penetration testing services that are based on the actions and attitudes of real-world hackers. We find vulnerabilities in a controlled system, helping you find and fix problems before an attacker does.

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What Is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing (also called pen testing) is the practice of testing a computer system, network or web application to safely identify security vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit. Penetration testing is done in a controlled environment to help organizations understand where they may have vulnerabilities, allowing them to find and correct issues before a data breach. Organizations need regular penetration testing to understand their digital and physical security needs. Penetration testing services are useful in evaluating the security posture of an organization as well as the types of security policies and security controls that are in place.

After penetration testing, an organization’s security and IT managers can make educated decisions about the next steps they need to take to enhance their security. Penetration testing is vital for organizations who are constantly looking for ways to improve their protection.

Penetration testing is often compared to breaking into your own house. When you try to break into your home, you know which windows or doors don’t have proper locks. Similarly, penetration testing on your networks, mobile devices, and servers help you understand where you have weaknesses. This allows you to increase your security and make sure every entry is protected.

Industry regulations such as HIPAA, PCI, FFIEC, CMMC, and FINRA (among others) all require standard penetration testing for compliance.

Why Should I Do Penetration Testing?

Security is an ever-changing world which employs testing tools, techniques and architectures that strive to mitigate risks. As technology changes and hackers seek to exploit vulnerabilities, companies are faced with a constant battle to protect their data, their reputation, and any number of business assets.

Conducting annual penetration tests is akin to getting yearly check-ups from your doctor. A third-party doing pen testing can evaluate and assess the health of your network security, application, or other environment and provide expert advice on the impact and likelihood of external threats impacting your business. This helps you make informed decisions about what steps to take to increase your security. Knowing the problems you are facing helps you solve them before they become serious issues—just like getting a checkup helps you know you need to change your diet before you get diabetes.

Types of Penetration Testing & Penetration Testing Examples

There are many different types of penetration testing services and penetration testing tools you can choose from, including:

  • Network Penetration Testing
    • External Pentest
    • Internal Pentest
  • Application Penetration Testing
  • Wireless Penetration Testing
  • Mobile Penetration Testing
  • Custom Penetration Testing (IoT and Web Services)
  • Social Engineering

Many businesses claim to be experts at penetration testing, however you want to be very careful in choosing the penetration testing company that best suits your needs.

Network Penetration Test

A network pen test is designed to detect and validate the existence of security and information technology vulnerabilities within a customer network

  • Security weaknesses and vulnerabilities detected include exploitable and non-exploitable (e.g. less severe)

  • Enables customers to proactively identify, assess, and remedy security weaknesses and issues on external and/or internal networks

  • Involves automated and manual scanning and testing at an unauthenticated level to emulate a real world attack

  • Follows industry pen test standards and methodology for reproducible results

Application Penetration Test

An application or web application pen test is designed to detect and validate the existence of security and information technology vulnerabilities within a customer application (e.g., web, thin, thick, etc.)

  • Vulnerabilities detected include exploitable and non-exploitable (e.g. less severe)

  • Enables customers to proactively identify, assess and remedy cyber security issues prior to applications and web applications being placed into production or released for common use

  • Involves automated and manual scanning and pen testing at unauthenticated and authenticated levels

  • Follows industry pen test standards and methodology for reproducible results

    Wireless Penetration Test

    A wireless pen test is designed to detect and validate the existence of security and information technology vulnerabilities within a customer’s wireless network

    • Vulnerabilities detected include exploitable and non-exploitable (e.g. less severe)

    • Enables customers to proactively identify, assess and remedy security issues on internal, guest, and public-facing/public use wireless networks through pen testing

    • Involves pen testing automated and manual scanning and testing at unauthenticated and authenticated levels

    • Wireless penetration testing can be incorporated into traditional network pen testing or purchased standalone

    Mobile Penetration Test

    A hybrid pen test designed to identify and exploit vulnerabilities present within the mobile platform

    • Focus tends to be largely on the mobile application but encompasses, at a minimum, partial hardware/physical penetration testing

    • Follows a process methodology similar to standard web application and network penetration testing

    • Testing consists of unauthenticated and authenticated permissions to gain access