What is network penetration testing?
Network penetration testing is the process of identifying security vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure of a business.
Differing from wireless network penetration testing, this pen test grades the security capabilities of wired infrastructure, such as servers and workstations. These critical elements of your IT network need to be secured against online threats; our penetration testing highlights any weaknesses and gives you time to fix them before they become an expensive problem.
A core component for developing a robust cyber security strategy
Network penetration testing is an essential part of maintaining a strong security posture for your business.
Pen testing is conducted in a controlled environment, simulating a live attack and giving businesses the best opportunity to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
AAG’s network penetration testing service is a central part of our wider cyber security services, designed to give your business the best possible defence against cyber threats.
Our network penetration testing methodology
Our methodology is tailored to each of our client’s individual needs and requirements.
External network penetration tests simulate attacks from outside the business (black box), while internal pen tests simulate attacks from malicious actors who have knowledge of the network (white box).
We will research your environment using publicly available data sources, such as search engines and websites. By building a picture of the business and how that feeds into the technology being used, we can better understand how to defend your infrastructure against an attack.
Our penetration testing services
AAG offers a range of penetration testing services that simulate a range of attack vectors and scenarios, allowing us to give tailored recommendations for protecting your business.
Penetration Testing Services
Black Box Penetration Testing
White Box Penetration Testing
Internal Penetration Testing
Wireless Network Penetration Testing
Web Application Penetration Testing
Our comprehensive network penetration testing service simulates attacks from all vectors, giving a complete view of the security capabilities of your business' network.
Network penetration testing highlights potential vulnerabilities across your critical infrastructure
Ethical hacking through penetration testing is a proven method for keeping your sensitive data secure.
Our penetration testers can identify security weaknesses across your network infrastructure and applications, such as:
- Out of date operating systems.
- Excessive ports that are externally accessible.
- Exposed admin interfaces.
- Weak SSL/TLS configurations.
- Firewall misconfiguration.
- Brute forceable credentials.
Network scanning
Network scanning is an important stage in determining how a hacker may gain access to your systems.
This is used to build a map of how the network functions, and to identify all potential targets and entry points. In a live attack, hackers scan the network to see which access points are vulnerable to attack; we identify these points so they can be disabled or secured against unauthorised entry.
Segmentation testing
Segmentation testing ensures that your less secure networks (such as guest wifi) cannot access your sensitive networks (such as the cardholder data environment).
We test that each client-defined segment is isolated in accordance with the design of the network. To achieve this, we use a number of techniques where we attempt to glean leaked network information and access devices such as switches and routers.
System and service vulnerability identification and exploitation
We identify the versions of the operating system and applications your business uses.
This allows us to focus testing on vulnerabilities specific to those systems, speeding up the penetration testing process. These vulnerabilities must be validated to minimise errors such as false reports of problems. We attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to confirm that a threat exists.
Privilege escalation
Should exploitation of a vulnerability be successful, attempts are made to escalate the privileges to obtain complete control of the system.
This test simulates the actions of an attacker who has successfully compromised the system and looks for ways to take further advantage of the situation, for instance accessing valuable data.
Our detailed penetration testing reports give you a clear view of how to protect your busines
Our internal and external network penetration testing services are designed to highlight any network vulnerabilities before they become a problem.
Combined with a vulnerability assessment, a final report is produced detailing the findings of the penetration test with supporting evidence. We can help your internal security team with recommendations for ensuring your business is secured against online threats.
Why AAG?
We become your partners
Through our Proven Partnership Process, we develop an understanding of your operations to provide the best protection for your business.
We are experienced
Our support team have years of experience. We apply our knowledge to ensure each client is given the best service possible.
We are proactive
The cyber security landscape is constantly changing. We work to ensure your business remains protected against new threats.
We are focused on your success
Robust cyber security forms a foundation for your business’ success. Our solutions keep you productive and allow you to focus on development.
We are secure
Cyber security is our priority. We use the latest technology and methods to ensure your data remains safe.
We are commercially-minded
We work closely with your business to ensure that your IT support benefits your business operations.
Client Testimonials
Our cyber security services help keep businesses across every industry safe from online threats.
We partner with industry leaders to deliver secure solutions for your business
AAG is committed to providing the highest levels of protection for your business.
Cyber security is central to everything we do. As holders of the Cyber Essentials Plus certification, we are dedicated to keeping your data safe. Our team employs the most up-to-date tools and strategies to keep our clients secure alongside our partner Cyber Alchemy Security, which has the following qualifications:
- ISO 29001
- GCIH (Certified Incident Handler)
- CIPP (Certified Information Privacy Professional)
- CREST
FAQ
What are the different tests that can be performed during a network penetration test?
The scope of network penetration tests change based on the requirements of the business; smaller companies with limited infrastructure might only require a vulnerability assessment, while larger businesses with more complex networks might need a full-scale penetration test that includes social engineering and physical security testing.
Typically, network penetration tests will involve trying to identify vulnerabilities within a network from the perspective of both an external and internal attacker. This can include network scanning to test for unsecured access points, attempting to guess passwords and exploit known vulnerabilities, and simulating attacks such as phishing or malware injection.
What are the different types of issues that can be found through network penetration testing?
One of the main benefits of network penetration testing is that it can uncover a wide range of vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker. These can include issues such as unsecured access points, weak passwords, and highlighting servers or devices that are not properly patched or secured.
Network penetration testing can also help to identify vulnerabilities in a business’ employees, such as susceptibility to social engineering attacks or lack of awareness about cyber security threats.
What is the difference between a vulnerability assessment and a network penetration test?
A vulnerability assessment is typically less comprehensive than a full-scale network penetration test, and will only identify known vulnerabilities within a network. A vulnerability assessment are useful for businesses that have limited infrastructure or just want to get an overview of the potential risks that are present.
A network penetration test is more comprehensive and will attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in order to simulate an attack. This type of test is often recommended for businesses that have a more complex network or that are concerned about their vulnerability to cyber attacks.
What are the best ways to prevent access to your private networks by hackers?
There are a number of different ways to prevent access to your private networks by hackers. One of the most important is to perform regular network penetration tests to identify and fix any vulnerabilities that may exist. Other measures that can be taken include using firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, as well as secure passwords with two-factor authentication.
