Penetration
Testing
Test your vulnerabilities to improve security
Penetration, or ‘pen’ testing is the process of testing a computer system, network, or application to discover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber security attacks. Once identified, the tester will provide remediation details to fix the potential exploit. We recommend that our clients carry out regular penetration testing, especially after changes to systems, as new vulnerabilities and methods to exploit these vulnerabilities regularly emerge.
Pen testing involves simulating an attack on your systems using various techniques, tools and methodologies. Our expert pen testers will attempt to gain access to your systems, identify security weaknesses, and then try to exploit them. This can involve using ‘social engineering’ tactics to trick people into revealing sensitive information, or using automated tools to scan for vulnerabilities.
The goal of penetration testing is not to cause harm or damage to the system, but rather to help improve its security by identifying weaknesses that could be exploited by real attackers. By conducting regular pen tests, you can proactively identify and address security vulnerabilities before they are exploited by malicious actors.
The benefits of penetration testing
- Understanding
Penetration testing helps identify security vulnerabilities in your systems, networks, and applications, allowing you to address them before they are exploited by attackers. This helps to improve the overall security of your systems, protecting your organisation from potential data breaches and cyber attacks.
- Compliance
Many industry regulations and compliance standards require regular penetration testing to ensure the security of sensitive data. Conducting regular pen tests can help you meet these requirements and avoid fines and legal penalties for non-compliance.
- Cost
Penetration testing is a cost-effective way to identify and address security vulnerabilities. By proactively identifying and addressing these, you can avoid much higher costs associated with data breaches, including legal fees, lost revenues, and reputational damage.
- Risk Management
Penetration testing helps you understand the risks associated with your systems, networks, and applications. By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, you can reduce the risk of cyber attacks and minimise potential damage.
- Peace of Mind
Conducting regular penetration testing can give you peace of mind, knowing that your systems are secure and you are taking proactive steps to protect your organisation from potential cyber threats.
Talk to us about penetration testing
Why work with Forensic Control?
- Expert: We have decades’ experience from police and military backgrounds
- Easy: We provide an efficient, smooth and stress-free process
- Careful: We handle your case with discretion and care
- Control: We help you regain control following an incident, giving your organisation peace of mind
How we work
Our team uses the latest applications, technology and processes to make sure we test and scan your infrastructure, giving you a complete analysis of areas for remediation and protection. We tailor our approach according to the scope of the testing and infrastructure, which means our pricing is also bespoke to your project.
Our Penetration Testing includes:
- Full project scoping and goal setting
- Scanning of applications
- Access testing to discover any vulnerabilities and exploit them
- Maintaining access to discover if there are persistent threats
- Full analysis report including vulnerabilities that were exploited, data that was accessed, and time of presence.
Happy Cyber Essentials Clients
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Frequently asked Questions
We’re here to help with any questions you have about plans, pricing and supported features.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, is a proactive cyber security practice that simulates real-world cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities and assess the security of your organisation’s systems, networks, and applications. It involves authorised security experts attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in a controlled environment. Penetration testing is important for your organisation as it helps uncover security weaknesses that may be missed by automated scanning tools or configuration reviews.
By identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities before malicious actors exploit them, penetration testing strengthens your overall security posture and helps protect sensitive data, systems, and customer trust
Penetration testing typically follows a systematic and structured approach. It involves a security expert, known as a penetration tester, using various techniques and tools to probe your organisation’s systems for vulnerabilities. The tester attempts to gain unauthorised access, escalate privileges, and exploit weaknesses, mimicking the tactics of real-world attackers.
The testing may cover areas such as network infrastructure, web applications, wireless networks, and social engineering. The penetration tester then provides a detailed report that outlines the vulnerabilities discovered, their potential impact, and actionable recommendations to mitigate them effectively.
Penetration testing should be performed regularly to ensure ongoing security and to adapt to the evolving threat landscape. Cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques are constantly changing, so regular testing helps identify new vulnerabilities that may arise from system updates, software patches, or configuration changes.
It is recommended to conduct penetration tests annually as a baseline, or more frequently if your organisation deals with sensitive data, operates in a high-risk industry, or undergoes significant changes to the IT infrastructure. Regular testing helps ensure that your security measures remain effective and helps maintain a proactive security stance.
After a penetration test is performed, you can expect to receive a detailed report from the penetration testing team. This report will include a summary of the testing methodology, the vulnerabilities discovered, the techniques used to exploit them, and the potential impact on your organisation’s security.
The report will also provide actionable recommendations to address the identified vulnerabilities and mitigate the risks effectively. It is crucial to review the findings with your IT team and prioritise the remediation efforts based on the severity and potential impact of the vulnerabilities. Regularly conducting penetration tests and promptly addressing the identified vulnerabilities will help fortify your defences and protect against real-world cyber threats.
