What is Penetration testing?
An authorised, simulated attack in which security testers try to find and exploit weaknesses in systems, applications or networks, then report how to fix them.
How it works
Unlike a vulnerability scan, a penetration test involves people actively trying to break in, chaining weaknesses together the way a real attacker would. Common types include external and internal network tests, web application, cloud and wireless tests.
A good pentest report shows not just what was found, but how far an attacker could get and which fixes matter most.
Key points
- Manual, expert-led and authorised
- Shows real exploitability, not just presence
- Scoped to specific systems and goals
- Followed by retesting to confirm fixes
Common questions
How often should we pentest?
At least annually and after significant changes. Many regulations and customers expect yearly testing.
Will it disrupt our systems?
Tests are planned with you, with agreed windows and limits to avoid disruption.
Talk to someone who does this every day
Questions about Pentest? Our team will give you a straight answer.