Which types of penetration testing should my organisation invest in?

A proactive cyber security strategy will minimise risk and help you achieve a mature security posture. If you’re just starting to invest in penetration testing, or you are now required to complete tests to comply with regulatory frameworks, it’s essential to know which tests are most relevant for your business. Understanding this will help you define the size and scope of the project, prioritise vulnerabilities, and help you choose the right provider to suit your business needs to get the maximum return on investment.

Why you will benefit from penetration testing

When it comes to cyber threat, it’s not a matter of if, it’s when. According to recent government data, half of businesses, and up to 74% of large businesses, have experienced a cyber security attack in the last 12 months, and threats continue to evolve. 

By investing in penetration testing, you are implementing both proactive security checks to identify vulnerabilities in your systems before a threat actor exploits it, and processes to mitigate those risks.

In short, you’ll:

• Identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited
• Improve your cybersecurity posture
• Protect sensitive data for client peace of mind
• Meet regulatory requirements

Read more about what you will learn from a penetration test.

Types of penetration testing

External infrastructure testing 

Examines the security of your networking services from outside your network. If you’re worried about external attackers breaching your systems via public-facing assets such as your website, IP address or firewall, external testing is essential.

Internal infrastructure testing 

Examines the security of your networking services from inside your network. If you want to assess risks within your network, such as compromised or weak accounts, or the security of sensitive client data.

Web and mobile application testing 

Investigates your web, mobile and desktop apps for vulnerabilities that could be exploited. If your organisation uses customer portals, e-commerce platforms, or handles sensitive client data, this type of penetration testing is essential.

Active Directory testing 

Assesses the configuration of the Active Directory environment(s) to identify any weaknesses that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to gain access to information or users on the domain without credentials, or vulnerabilities that could be exploited to gain unauthenticated access to systems or sensitive information.

Wireless testing 

Evaluates the security of your wireless networks, including access control and encryption. If you use a wireless network for internal operations, or you offer Wi-Fi to customers, these could be exploited by a threat actor to gain access to your internal resources and sensitive credentials or data. Wireless testing will ensure that your wireless networks stay secure from unauthorised access.

Build reviews 

These assess the way your computers are set up, including the operating system and software, focusing on gaps in security, that would make it easier for attackers to gain unauthenticated access. A build review helps identify these vulnerabilities early, ensuring your systems are configured and set up securely from the start.

Configuration security reviews 

Identify infrastructure misconfigurations, such as weak passwords or unpatched software. These are one of the leading causes of security breaches. A detailed assessment of your IT infrastructure configurations will help you to secure your network and follow best practices to remain secure. This can include areas such as cloud services where you are responsible for the configuration of areas you have control over for that platform. This is ideal for organisations undergoing digital transformation or implementing new systems or infrastructure.

API testing 

Examines security, functionality and reliability of API endpoints, which are essential for communication between different software applications and delivering data to critical server-side operations. These endpoints can also act as access vectors for threat actors to exploit. API testing will ensure that your APIs are secure to prevent operational disruption and improve security.

IT health checks 

Enhanced penetration tests designed to meet government and regulatory requirements for connected systems. IT health checks are mandatory for government departments, public bodies, or companies connected togovernment systems, such as suppliers or contractors. If your organisation needs to comply with regulatory frameworks such as Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001, IT health checks are required as part of this.

Physical security assessments 

Look at the methods in which an unauthorised person could attempt to gain access to a secure site or location. This can include bypassing perimeter defences (such as a wall or security door) to attempting to convince onsite staff you should be in the location you are heading to (social engineering).

Phishing vulnerability assessments 

More than 90% of cyber breaches are a result of successful phishing campaigns. Phishing is when a threat actor attempts to exploit individuals through legitimate looking emails, to steal data money, or gain access to a network. Our assessments simulate real-world phishing attacks to evaluate and educate your workforce on recognising phishing emails and following best practices to prevent success. This is an especially important process for industries handling high levels of sensitive information, such as financial or healthcare, where phishing attacks are most common.

Why choose PGI?

Vulnerabilities can exist within every area of technology; from the hardware you use to your operational processes. That’s why PGI offer a wide range of flexible, CREST accredited security testing, covering all potential risk areas.

At PGI, we prioritise a human-led approach. Human expertise in penetration testing and contextual understanding of vulnerabilities is essential to determine the real-world impact on an individual business, or severity of those issues, especially in complex environments.

We have extensive and diverse experience in penetration testing techniques, helping organisations of all sizes and types identify and remediate vulnerabilities before malicious attackers attempt to access and compromise their systems.

Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you mitigate risks with our tailored penetration testing services.