Infrastructure Penetration Testing

DEFINITION

What is network penetration testing

Infrastructure penetration testing is a proactive security assessment where our consultants simulate real-world cyber-attacks on an organization’s network and systems to identify potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses.

The ultimate goal is to help organisations strengthen their security posture by providing comprehensive reports with remediation guidance, enabling them to prioritize and address security issues effectively.

benefits

Why should you do it

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Assess Existing Security Measures

Regular security reviews enable organisations to comprehensively evaluate their security measures, including the effectiveness of controls, configurations, and policies. Identifying weaknesses allows organisations to strengthen their security posture and better protect assets and data.

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Maintain Compliance With Routine Testing

Regular security assessments and reviews are essential for compliance with industry regulations and data protection laws. Routine testing demonstrates an organization’s commitment to a secure environment and adherence to legal requirements.

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Prevent Financial or Reputational Damage

Timely vulnerability detection prevents financial and reputational damage. Identifying security weaknesses early allows for rapid mitigation, reducing the risk of successful cyberattacks and data breaches.

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Protect Customer or Business Data

Security reviews are essential for protecting sensitive customer data and critical business information. Continuously evaluating data protection safeguards maintains customer trust and preserves competitive advantage.

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Remove “Low-Hanging” Fruit

Security reviews help identify and address easily exploitable vulnerabilities. Proactively fixing these weaknesses significantly reduces the risk of opportunistic cyber threats and improves overall security posture.

methodology

Our approach

Attack Vector recognises industry-standard methodologies when assessing client infrastructure. We believe that clients deserve more than just a report with a list of vulnerabilities. Context is crucial, therefore we aim to describe not only vulnerabilities from a technical perspective but how they affect the environment, users and the wider business.

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Intelligence Gathering

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Vulnerability Analysis

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Exploitation

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Post-Expoloitation

A fact-finding exercise designed to discover information about the business, employees and its network presence. The goal is to gain a better understanding of how the system works and identify potential vulnerabilities.

The information gathered from the previous stage is analysed by checking any active network services. To identify these vulnerabilities, we employ a mix of automated security test tools and manual testing. Leveraging our consultants’ extensive experience, we carefully verify for false positives and, if deemed appropriate within the scope, conduct additional attacks.

Exploit vulnerabilities identified in the previous stage. Please note that this stage may not be suitable for every environment and clients are always consulted before any active exploitation to ensure system stability. We never use untested exploits in live environments and never perform denial-of-service attacks (unless requested).

This is arguably the most important phase. During this phase, we analyse the level of access achieved and determine the overall risk to the business.

FAQ

Further Information

Can an Internal Network Penetration Test be performed remotely?

Yes, Internal Network Penetration Tests can often be performed remotely using our secure remote testing solution.

How is a Network Penetration Test delivered?

Our penetration tests are delivered by experienced security professionals using a combination of automated tools and manual techniques. We follow a structured methodology that includes planning, reconnaissance, vulnerability analysis, exploitation, and reporting. We offer both onsite and remote testing options.

How much does a Network Penetration Test cost?

The cost of a Network Penetration Test depends on several factors, including the scope of the work (number of IP addresses, systems, and applications), the complexity of your network, and the type of testing required (external, internal, web application, etc.). Contact us for a customised quote.

What information is required to scope a Network Penetration Test?

To accurately scope a penetration test, we typically need information about your network range (IP addresses), domain names, key systems and applications, and any specific security concerns you have. We may also request information about existing security measures.

What is an External Network Penetration Test?

An External Network Penetration Test simulates an attack from outside your organisation’s network perimeter, targeting publicly accessible systems and services. This helps identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by external attackers.

What is an Internal Network Penetration Test?

An Internal Network Penetration Test simulates an attack from within your organisation’s network, mimicking a malicious insider or a compromised system. This helps identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by internal threats or attackers who have already gained access to your network.

What is the difference between a vulnerability scan and a penetration test?

A vulnerability scan identifies potential weaknesses in your systems, whilst a penetration test attempts to actively exploit those weaknesses to determine their real-world impact. A penetration test goes beyond simply identifying vulnerabilities by demonstrating how they can be exploited and what data could be accessed.

Who is an External Network Penetration Test suitable for?

An External Network Penetration Test is suitable for any organisation with an internet presence, regardless of size or industry. It’s a crucial step in understanding your organisation’s security posture from an external attacker’s perspective.

Why do I need an Internal Network Penetration Test?

Internal Network Penetration Tests are essential to understand the potential impact of a compromised internal system or malicious insider. They help identify vulnerabilities that could allow an attacker to move laterally within your network and gain access to sensitive data.