Network Penetration Testing Services

Using our network penetration testing services, 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 for cyber security testing. This exercise is aimed at internal (corporate, production environments) and/or external (internet-facing) networks.

Cyphere’s penetration testers led network penetration testing to identify software and network security testing vulnerabilities and explain in relation to the underlying asset’s risk profile. Generally, two types of network pentesting are carried out, divided into external (internet facing network services) and internal penetration tests (inside networks of an organisation) assessments. With cloud computing, any assets within the private cloud accessible to staff are considered as an internal network.
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Common Security Vulnerabilities

Secure weaknesses in hardening across networking, security, telecommunications & other internal equipment, OS and endpoint vulnerabilities.

Effective patch management plays a critical role in closing the window of opportunity for attackers, that’s between the vulnerability disclosure and patch release for security weaknesses/bugs.
Domain controllers design and configuration issues, group policy security review including audit policy, account lockout policy, user rights and security settings.
Logging and monitoring controls are reviewed to identify flaws in event collection, analysis and threat identification.

Network segregation checks with attempts to subvert restrictions in place.

Network Penetration Testing methodology
common vulnerabilities identified during network pen testing
We check against the configuration and use of encryption methods used for data at rest and transit.This includes checks against internal root certificate authority configuration and trust established with systems and devices under the domain.
Authentication vulnerabilities are one of the most critical and important attack vectors. This area includes multiple test cases i.e. transmission channels, nature of input, insecure configurations, weak credentials & bypass attempts.

Our internal network penetration test methodology involves password cracking and statistical analysis to show how passwords affect the general health of the security of the domain. It is an important element of the penetration testing assessments whether it is a grey box or white box security testing.

Searches are performed on local and network shares for interesting files, contents that would contain credentials and/or any sensitive data that could give rise to potential vulnerabilities.

Network equipment such as switch, routers, peripherals such as printers, imaging and scanning devices, are checked against security vulnerabilities and secure hardening weaknesses.

Benefits of Network Pen Testing

Network pen testing simulates an attack on your system in order to find vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. By identifying and fixing these vulnerabilities, you can make it much harder for hackers to gain access to your system.

Infrastructure pen testing is a sophisticated form of assessment that can give you a more accurate picture of your organisation’s strengths and security weaknesses. By simulating real-world attacks, pen testers can uncover hidden flaws in your system that might otherwise be missed. In addition, pen testing services can help you to assess the effectiveness of your security controls and identify areas where additional training or investment is needed.

Organisations must prioritise cybersecurity to protect their systems and data from threats. This includes using the right tools and processes, and being aware of the risks.

Achieving compliance with both PCI DSS and ISO 27001 can be a challenge for any organisation. A pen testing company can provide support in several key areas, including assessment and remediation of vulnerabilities, implementation of security controls, and development of policies and procedures. By working with a reputable pen testing company, your organisation can confidently achieve compliance with both PCI DSS and ISO 27001.

Network pen testers simulate real-world attacks on networks and web applications in order to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. By proactively testing cyber security measures, businesses can ensure that their systems are properly protected against the latest threats.

At Cyphere, our network and infrastructure penetration testing services are second to none. We have a team of experienced testers who use the latest tools and techniques to identify vulnerabilities in your systems. We also offer a comprehensive report which details all the findings of the test, along with recommendations for remediation.

We take cyber security seriously at our company. One way we demonstrate our commitment is through regular penetration testing. We try and break into your systems, simulating a real-world attack. By doing this, we can find any security weaknesses in your defenses and take steps to correct them. It’s an important part of keeping systems secure.

Organisations must prioritise cybersecurity to protect their systems and data from threats. This includes using the right tools and processes, and being aware of the risks.

Pentesting can also provide valuable insights into an organisation’s overall IT strategy. By assessing how well an organisation’s systems hold up against attack, pentesting can help shape future IT investments.

Network pen testing can help companies to stay compliant with industry regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). By conducting regular tests, businesses can ensure that they are taking all the necessary measures to protect their customers’ data.

Infrastructure Penetration Testing Services

Our cyber security testing process covers a broad spectrum of domains such as cloud, wireless, mobile app penetration testing, stealth campaigns, security devices (firewalls, VPNs, WAF, IDS/IPS), phishing, social engineering, IoT, incident response, network infrastructure and solutions. Should you need a quote quicker, please fill out the form to discuss further.

Internal Penetration Testing

A consultant-led exercise performed on the internal (or corp. environments) network. It starts with our penetration testers launching threat scenarios based on an unauthenticated attacker aimed to identify vulnerabilities, exploit & infiltrate across the network.

Build Configuration & Hardening Reviews

A build configuration review ensures no weaknesses are introduced in the network security posture keeping exposed services with minimal attack surface. Default passwords, OS configuration, services, anti-malware security controls are assessed.

External Penetration Testing

This ethical hacking exercise is aimed at the internet-facing assets of your organisation for security testing. External penetration testing services are performed with zero privileges, that is same level access as an internet-based user or without access.

Active Directory Security Assessment

Active Directory security is one of the strong pillars against data breaches. 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.

Firewall Security Assessment

Our firewall security assessment service is aimed at checks around configuration issues such as data transmission, administration, management, access control and traffic/rule base to ensure the perfect cyber security. The device in scope could be any of the perimeter firewalls.

Why choose Cyphere as your penetration testing service provider?

Pen Testing Services Frequently Asked Questions

External network penetration testing is aimed at internet exposed devices and/or systems only simulating a threat actor on the internet (unauthenticated). Threat actors in the real world vary in attack vectors aimed at people, processes and technology, therefore, internal network security penetration testing is assessed differently with both unauthenticated and authenticated approaches in cyber security.

At network level, internal and external network penetration tests are the main attack surfaces. At device and systems level, various network security testing can be conducted to assess the risk exposure. No social engineering, physical penetration testing or other security flaws outside network infrastructure are in scope.

Organisations must prioritise cybersecurity to protect their systems and data from threats. This includes using the right tools and processes, and being aware of the risks.

A thorough network penetration testing on network devices measures the information security culture at ground level. This includes nature, type and strength of passwords in use, security settings of domain, encryption, authentication, authorisation, patch management and network devices hardening. Pen testers goal here is to gain access to the highest possible privileges and access sensitive data.

Based on network architecture, onsite or offsite infrastructure penetration testing services are suggested accordingly. For instance, where multiple physical sites and network segregations are a challenge remotely, onsite assessment is preferred in cyber security. With post covid19 measures, we utilise a number of methods (SSL VPN, VM deployment or shipping hardware to client site) to carry out remote infrastructure pen testing of networks.

Communication plays an important role during security assessments. We always prompt customers to inform our network penetration testers about fragile components during project initiation meetings. With customer business operations as the highest priority, our ethical hackers follow a mix of consulting, technical approaches and penetration testing tools to avoid every chance of risk of disruption (such as blind scanning, automated approaches, other low-level Layer 2 activities). Low-level attacks, Denial of Service attacks are explicitly deemed out of scope for all network and web application assessments.

Network penetration tests remediation is sometimes a complex process due to the specialist information security skill-set needed for IT teams. As part of our aftercare support, we provide help in preparing remediation plan to all our customers.

Optionally, we provide remediation consultancy to ensure all agreed findings are mitigated in line with best network security and penetration testing practices.

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A secure network provides secure environment

Network Pen Test Methodology

To perform a network pen test, it is essential to understand the context of assets in scope for the engagement before starting a security test or even thinking about managing cyber security risk. Our proven approach to network security tests is based on more than a decade of experience, industry practices and effective ways to exceed customer expectations.

Cyphere’s network pen testing engagement lifecycle methodology is broken into five phases, as demonstrated in the penetration testing methodology diagram. 

  1. Initial Scoping & Objectives Agreement – This is the beginning of any network penetration testing. Understanding the customer’s business objectives, drivers and pain points provides insights into our process to help deliver infrastructure penetration testing and risk remediation advice that is contextual.
  2. Reconnaissance – Whether a web application, internal portal, firewall interface or network assets, a pen tester performs all the initial information gathering in this phase to get a grip on the architecture and environment layout.
  3. Scanning – It includes performing vulnerability scanning and vulnerability analysis of the realistically exploitable issues; those that are dangerous to exploit are discussed with customers to avoid any legacy or fragile testing services that could disrupt the operational environment. It is important to consider and provide insights into security threats and related scenarios that are considered for the next phase of a penetration test.
  4. Exploitation – As part of the testing process, the next step is to exploit any security vulnerabilities identified in the network infrastructure in the previous step. Safe exploitation is performed by the security team to identify security vulnerabilities that help measure the extent of a hack while mimicking real-world scenarios (that aren’t picked during automated testing).
  5. Reporting – Data analysis and reporting phase includes technical information, business information including potential impact and the likelihood of an attack, followed by risk mitigation advice. All our internal and external infrastructure penetration testing services include strategic and tactical risk remediation measures to help customers fix security vulnerabilities while working for long-term roadmaps.
  6. Remediation – During debrief after a security audit, pen tester provides free help sessions to prepare a risk remediation plan. To protect critical assets and any vulnerable assets, an organisation must assess and analyse the data from pen tests. The remediation (Optional remediation consultancy to help mitigate risks identified during penetration testing) phase is an optional extra where risk remediation consultancy is provided as an offering.
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Our Pentest Engagement Approach

Customer Business Insight1
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The very first step as a penetration testing provider remains our quest to gain insight into drivers, business operations, pain points and relevant nuances. As part of this process, we understand the assets that are part of the scope.
Services Proposal2
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It is important to gain grips with the reality, therefore, we always stress on walkthroughs or technical documentation of the assets. After asset walkthroughs, a tailored proposal is designed to meet your business’ specific requirements.
Execution and Delivery3
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Cyphere’s approach to cyber security 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 & Reporting4
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Execution phase is followed by data analysis and reporting phase. Cyphere performs analysis on the testing output, evaluates the risk impact and likelihood of exploitation in realistic scenarios before providing action plans to remediate the identified risks.
Debrief & Support5
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As part of our engagement process, customers schedule a free of charge debrief with management and technical teams. This session involves remediation plan, assessment QA to ensure that customer contacts are up to date in the language they understand.
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One of the trusted penetration testing companies in the UK

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