What is internal penetration testing?
Internal penetration testing is a type of ethical hacking in which the tester acts as a malicious party who is familiar with a company’s systems and networks.
By simulating real-world attacks in a controlled environment, internal penetration tests give companies a detailed view of their security capabilities. Unlike an external penetration test (such as black box), internal pen-testing gives testers access to more information, helping them discover vulnerabilities that would be difficult to detect from an outside perspective. Internal penetration testing helps businesses secure their networks against threats that could compromise data and operations.
AAG's internal penetration testing services are tailored to your business' requirements
We work with you to understand your business processes and identify the specific risks that need to be addressed.
Before any testing takes place, we consult with your team to scope the engagement. This involves excluding any elements and defining areas of particular focus, ensuring all parties are aware of the requirements.
Internal penetration testing is a critical element for robust cyber security.
Penetration testing helps businesses uncover threats to their IT infrastructure.
Vulnerabilities that are discovered during a penetration test can be fixed before they are exploited by malicious actors. Internal penetration testing can be used to identify vulnerabilities within networks, including:
- Weak passwords
- Unsecure network configurations
- Unpatched software
- Lack of security controls
- Outdated software
- Misconfigured systems
Our penetration testing services
Our team of experts use the latest techniques to identify potential security risks in your IT infrastructure, helping you fix vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Penetration Testing Services
Black Box Penetration Testing
White Box Penetration Testing
Web Application Penetration Testing
Wireless Network Penetration Testing
Network Penetration Testing
We simulate insider threats to identify vulnerabilities
The best way to ensure your IT infrastructure remains secure is to attack it using the same techniques as malicious actors.
Once we have determined the scope of the testing, we visit your site, plug into your network and attempt to access software, data, and areas of the network we shouldn’t be able to. This replicates what would happen if a malicious party accessed your systems via an external breach and then attempted to gain access to your internal systems.
We conduct our penetration testing in a controlled environment to ensure your operations are not exposed and to minimise disruption.
Discover how well your business would perform in the event of a cyber attack
By simulating an attack, internal testing can identify the areas where the company is most vulnerable and determine how well it would respond to a real-world attack.
Where an external pen test is limited to breach attempts from malicious actors with no knowledge of your systems, penetration testing of your internal infrastructure can give a deeper understanding of your network’s security capabilities, uncovering issues that may otherwise go undetected.
For instance, if an internal employee’s account were compromised, (e.g. via social engineering), an internal pen test would show the level of damage that a malicious party could achieve while using that compromised account.
Our penetration tests can help uncover issues with everything from unsecured password practices to misconfigured systems. Identifying and fixing vulnerabilities today prevents them from becoming problems tomorrow.
Our testing methodologies uncover security weaknesses that could threaten your sensitive data
Once testing is complete, we create a detailed report with any recommendations for ensuring your business is as protected as possible online.
Internal threats can go unnoticed until it’s too late. Uncovering any vulnerabilities through our rigorous internal testing can help your business mitigate the risk of a cyber attack, keeping your employees safe and your data secure.
Why AAG?
We become your partners
Our Proven Partnership Process is the methodology that ensures we understand your business, so we provide tailored services that keep your data secure.
We are experienced
We have been providing industry-leading cyber security services for clients for over a decade, and our team of experts are ready to handle any issues.
We are proactive
New threats are emerging all the time. We keep your business secure by using the latest penetration techniques and security tools.
We are focused on your success
Every business needs robust cyber security to succeed in an online world. We keep your data safe so you can focus your resources on developing your operations.
We are secure
We carry the latest cyber security certifications and use cutting-edge techniques to protect your business against online threats.
We are commercially-minded
We understand how businesses operate, and apply that knowledge to uncover internal issues that could threaten your employees and your data.
Our partners are industry leaders in cyber security
Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and more dangerous, so businesses need powerful cyber security to remain secure online.
Infrastructure breaches can lead to the theft or loss of sensitive data. To best protect businesses against these threats, we carry the Cyber Essentials Plus certification. We partner with Cyber Alchemy Security, who provide cutting-edge tools and techniques that ensure networks remain secure. They hold the following certifications:
- ISO 29001
- GCIH (Certified Incident Handler)
- CIPP (Certified Information Privacy Professional)
- CREST
Client Testimonials
Our internal network penetration testing services have helped businesses of all sizes protect against malicious activity within their IT infrastructures.
FAQ
What are the benefits of internal penetration testing?
Internal penetration testing is the practice of testing a company’s information security by simulating an attack from within. By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they are exploited, businesses can protect their data, systems and employees from harm.
An internal pen test can provide a number of benefits, including:
- Identification of vulnerable areas in the network that could be exploited by malicious actors.
- Detection of malware and other external threats that may have already infiltrated the network.
- An assessment of how well company security policies and procedures are able to protect against insider threats.
- Identification of sensitive data that may be at risk if the network were to be compromised.
What is the difference between internal and external penetration testing?
The main difference between internal and external penetration testing is the perspective from which the test is conducted.
Internal tests are carried out from within the company’s network, while external tests are carried out from outside of the network. This means that the testers in an internal pen test typically have knowledge of the network, acting as if they are a malicious employee looking to compromise their company.
An internal penetration testing checklist is generally more comprehensive, as they simulate an attack both from the perspective of outsiders who have already gained a foothold in the systems, as well as malicious insiders. External pen testing is more limited in scope and only focuses on identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited by outside attackers.
What are the steps involved in conducting an internal penetration test?
While penetration testing is usually tailored based on company size and the scope of the infrastructure that needs testing, an internal pen loosely follows the below steps:
- Review the list of assets – The first step in any penetration test is to assess the target environment and identify the systems and data that will be included in the penetration test.
- Identify vulnerabilities and penetration points – Once the scope of the test has been decided, the next step is to identify any potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited. This includes looking for easy-to-find vulnerabilities as well as uncovering those that may require more specialised knowledge or tools to exploit.
- Discover ways to attack and exploit the vulnerabilities – After the vulnerabilities have been identified, the testers find ways to exploit them. They simulate a variety of methods that hackers would use, such as scanning the network for open ports, brute-forcing passwords, or social engineering tactics.
- Execute attacks – Once the vulnerabilities have been identified and the attacks planned, the next step is to execute them on one system after another until the tester is able to penetrate the entire network.
- Report – Once testing is completed, the testers document the findings and produce a report for management. This report should include a detailed description of the test, the vulnerabilities that were found and how they were exploited, and recommendations for how to fix them.
- Take corrective action to address identified vulnerabilities – Finally, after the report has been delivered and reviewed, it is important to take corrective action to address the identified vulnerabilities. This may include updating security policies and introducing new procedures, as well as installing patches and updates.
