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.

Common Security Vulnerabilities

Lack of Secure Hardening

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

Insecure Patch Management

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.

Active Directory Vulnerabilities

Domain controllers design and configuration issues, group policy security review including audit policy, account lockout policy, user rights and security settings.

Insecure Logging & Monitoring Controls

Logging and monitoring controls are reviewed to identify flaws in event collection, analysis and threat identification.

Network Segregation

Network segregation checks with attempts to subvert restrictions in place.

SSL/TLS Flaws

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

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.

Password Cracking & Analysis

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.

Sensitive Information Storage Practices

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 Device Hardening

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

Protect your business against evolving threat

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.

An accurate picture of gaps in your environment

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.

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 and web application security measures validated proactively

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.

Encryption Flaws

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.

Demonstrate cyber security commitment

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.

Helps shape IT strategy & investments

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.

Stay on top with data breach prevention measures

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.

No cancellations or retest charges - no fuss, promise!

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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 corporate environments) network. It starts with our penetration testers launching threat scenarios based on an unauthenticated attacker aimed to identify vulnerabilities, exploit and infiltrate across the entire network. This health check also allows you to prepare your IT and cyber security spend strategy.Internal Penetration Testing

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. After the pen tests, we ensure that customer is aware of their risks and remediation plan during our debrief meeting.External Penetration Testing

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/rulebase to ensure the perfect cyber security. The device in scope could be any of the perimeter firewalls, cloud-based NSGs, small business based all in one firewall, switch or wireless devices.Firewall Security Assessment

Build Configuration & Hardening Reviews

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

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. Do not ignore your active directory pen tests.AD Security Assessment

Wireless Penetration Testing

We simulate various threat scenarios during the pen tests that an attacker may use against your wireless network that could lead to an organisation wide breach. WiFi test cases include WiFi authentication, encryption, deauth attacks, segregation, access point configuration, signal leakage issues, exfiltration to upload sensitive data and other ethical hacking test cases.Wireless Penetration Testing

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Why choose Cyphere as your penetration testing service provider?

Excellent people to work with.

Very good knowledge of requirement and give us correct findings with excellent remedy to improve our security for our B2B portal site.

Harman was great, really knowledgeable

Harman was great, really knowledgeable, helpful and on hand to answer any questions. The final report was very clear providing the technical information in an easy to read format which could be understood by the leaders of the business.

My experience of the team was 5 star.

They were so helpful, and their technical delivery and client communication were excellent.

Extremely satisfied

Extremely satisfied with approach, speed and end results. Thanks.

Pen Testing Services Frequently Asked Questions

Is external network test sufficient to assess entire company's risk?

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.

What are the different types of network security assessments?

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.

What is included in a network penetration test?

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.

Can network penetration test be performed remotely?

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.

Is infrastructure pen testing disruptive to our environment?

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.

Do you perform network pen test remediation?

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.

A secure network provides secure environment

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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.

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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.

Our Pentest Engagement Approach

The very first step remains our quest to gain insight into drivers, business, pain points and relevant nuances for a penetration test. As part of this process, we understand the assets that are part of the penetration tests carried out against client infrastructure.

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 for a penetration test.

Cyphere, a network penetration testing company, approach to all work involves excellent communication before and during the execution phase. Our security experts (or ethical hackers) ensure that customer communication medium and frequency are mutually agreed upon, and relevant parties are kept updated throughout the engagement duration.

The execution phase is followed by the data analysis and reporting phase. Cyphere, network security services company, performs analysis on the testing network security output, evaluates the risk impact and likelihood of exploitation in realistic scenarios before providing action plans to remediate the identified risks. All our reports address business as well as the technical audience with supporting raw data, including mitigation measures at strategic and tactical levels.

As part of our engagement process, customers schedule a free of charge debrief with management and technical teams after network penetration test report is delivered. This session involves remediation plan, vulnerability assessment QA to ensure that customer contacts are up to date in the language they understand.

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