NETWORK PENETRATION TESTING
Know your unknowns to assess, quantify the infrastructure security vulnerabilities and prepare a risk mitigation approach meant to reduce attack surface.
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What is Network Penetration Testing?
A simulated attack exercise aimed at finding weaknesses in a company’s infrastructure. This exercise is aimed at internal (corporate, production environments) and/or external (internet facing) networks.
Cyphere’s consultant-led Network Penetration Testing to identify software and network security vulnerabilities and explain in relation to the underlying asset’s risk profile. Generally, two types of network penetration testing is carried out, divided into external (internet facing assets) and internal (inside networks of an organisation) assessments. With cloud computing, any assets within the private cloud accessible to staff are considered as an internal network.

Benefits of Network Penetration Testing
- Protect your business against evolving threats
- Accurate picture of gaps in your environment
- PCI DSS, ISO 27001, GDPR Compliance support
- Service quality underpins everything we do
- Demonstrate cyber security commitment
- Helps shape IT strategy & investments
Know your unknowns with in-depth assessments
Common Security Vulnerabilities
Lack of Secure Hardening
Insecure Patch Management
Active Directory Vulnerabilities
Insecure Logging & Monitoring Controls
Logging and monitoring controls are reviewed to identify flaws in event collection, analysis and threat identification.
Network Segregation
SSL/TLS Flaws
Authentication Vulnerabilities
Password Cracking & Analysis
Sensitive Information Storage Practices
Network Device Hardening
Network Penetration Testing Services
Internal Penetration Test
A consultant led exercise performed on the internal (or corporate environments) network. This starts with an unauthenticated attacker test case aimed to identify, exploit and infiltrate across the entire network.
External Penetration Test
This exercise is aimed at internet facing assets of your organisation, performed remotely from our labs. External network penetration testing is performed with zero privileges, that is same level access as an internet based user.
Firewall Review
Our firewall security assessment service ensures that the firewall implementation is with checks on both configuration and traffic/rulebase.
The device in scope could be any of the perimeter firewalls, cloud based NSGs, small business based all in one firewall, switch and wireless devices.
IT Health Check
Whether you are a council, NHS trust or a corporate business assessing cyber security first time, Cyphere offers organisation-wide cyber health checks to help you validate your technical security controls across the perimeter firewall, wireless, build reviews, internal and external environments.
Active Directory Security Review
Active Directory security is one of the strong pillars against data breaches.
Domain controllers are the heartbeat of your network. Remote compromises could directly impact your business operations, including but not limited to data breach, brand position loss or other reputational and/or legal implications.
Wireless Security Assessment
We simulate various threat scenarios that an attacker may use against your wireless network that could lead to an organisation wide breach.
Assessment test cases include WiFi authentication, encryption, deauth attacks, segregation, access point configuration, signal leakage issues.
Secure Hardening Reviews
A default or out of box server can be a big mistake on the network. A secure hardening review ensures no weaknesses are introduced in the security posture of your company keeping exposed services with minimal attack surface.
Default passwords, OS configuration, services, anti-malware controls are assessed in this review.
Device Security Reviews
Whether it is your device operator, manufacturer or service provider, secure device configuration is an important element in ensuring the security of components responsible for data transport.
Data loss or network intrusions are directly linked to insecure devices within a corporate network.
Network Segregation Reviews
Network segregation process ensures restrictions are in place to avoid unnecessary exposure of systems within particular networks.
Test cases involving segregation checks at user, network, environment level ensure defence in depth approach is followed at all times.
Import data, not malware
Frequently Asked Questions about Network Penetration Testing
Is external network test sufficient to assess entire company's risk?
What are the different types of network security assessments?
What is included in an internal network penetration test?
Can internal pen test be performed remotely?
Is network security testing disruptive to our environment?
Do you perform network pen test remediation?
A secure network provides safe, secure environment
Network Penetration Testing Methodology
In order to perform an network pen test, it is important to understand the context of assets in scope for the engagement. Our proven approach to network security assessments is based on more than a decade of experience, industry practices and effective ways to exceed customer expectations.
Cyphere’s pentesting engagement lifecycle methodology is broken down into five phases as demonstrated in the penetration testing methodology diagram.
- Initial Scoping & Objectives Agreement
- Reconnaissance
- Scanning
- Exploitation
- Reporting
- Remediation (Optional remediation consultancy to help mitigate risks identified during penetration testing)

Our approach to network pen testing
Customer Business Insight
Services Proposal
Execution and Delivery
Cyphere’s approach to all work involves excellent communication before and during the execution phase. Customer communication medium and frequency are mutually agreed, and relevant parties are kept updated throughout the engagement duration.
Data Analysis & Reporting
Debrief & Support
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