What is Penetration test?
A penetration test, often abbreviated as "pen test," is a simulated cyberattack against a computer system, network, application, or organization's security infrastructure. The purpose of a penetration test is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the system's defenses that could potentially be exploited by malicious hackers.
During a penetration test, trained cybersecurity professionals, known as penetration testers or ethical hackers, attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities using various techniques and tools that real attackers might employ. These tests typically follow a structured methodology and can include both automated and manual approaches.
The objectives of a penetration test may vary depending on the goals of the organization commissioning the test. Some common objectives include:
Identifying Security Weaknesses: Penetration tests help uncover vulnerabilities in software, hardware, configurations, or policies that could be exploited by attackers.
Assessing Security Controls: Penetration tests evaluate the effectiveness of security controls such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access controls in place to protect the system.
Evaluating Response Mechanisms: Tests may also assess how well an organization's incident response and recovery procedures function in the event of a security breach.
Compliance Requirements: Many industries and regulatory bodies require organizations to conduct regular penetration tests to comply with security standards and regulations.
After completing a penetration test, the testers typically provide a detailed report outlining the vulnerabilities discovered, along with recommendations for remediation and improving the overall security posture of the system or organization. This information enables the organization to address the identified weaknesses and enhance its defenses against real-world cyber threats.
We offer various tests to our clients:
Infrastructure/network penetration testing:
Infrastructure/network penetration testing is a cyber-security assessment designed to evaluate the security of an organisation's IT infrastructure, including networks, systems, and associated components. The primary goal of this testing is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the infrastructure that could be exploited by attackers. The process involves simulating real-world cyber-attacks to assess the effectiveness of security measures and to help organisations strengthen their defences.
Web application penetration testing:
Web application penetration testing, often referred to as web app pen testing, is a security assessment specifically focused on evaluating the security of a web application. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the web application and its associated data.
Internal penetration testing:
Internal penetration testing is a type of security assessment conducted from within an organisation's internal network environment. Unlike external penetration testing, which focuses on identifying vulnerabilities from an external perspective, internal penetration testing simulates attacks initiated by an insider threat or an attacker who has gained access to the internal network.
External penetration testing:
External penetration testing is a type of security assessment conducted from outside an organization's network perimeter. The primary objective of external penetration testing is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers who are attempting to gain unauthorised access to the organisation's network, systems, or sensitive information from the internet-facing perspective.
