Internal infrastructure penetration testing

Uncover hidden vulnerabilities within your internal network and fortify your defences with our comprehensive internal infrastructure penetration testing.

Why conduct internal infrastructure penetration testing?

Internal infrastructure penetration testing is essential for identifying and addressing vulnerabilities within your network before attackers can exploit them. It uncovers weaknesses that are not visible through external assessments, including misconfigured systems and outdated software. Simulating real-world attack scenarios reveals how attackers might move laterally, escalate privileges, and access sensitive data.

This proactive approach enhances incident response and strengthens security. Regular testing also helps ensure compliance with industry standards and reduces the risk of costly breaches and reputational damage. Ultimately, it provides a clear understanding of your network’s security, enabling effective implementation of controls and safeguards.

Penetration test project manager and CEO reviewing internal infrastructure testing results on screen

Scoping and planning

Define objectives

We collaborate with your team to establish the specific goals of the internal infrastructure penetration testing. Whether you need to evaluate network segmentation, identify potential insider threats, or ensure compliance with internal security policies, we tailor our approach to address your key concerns and objectives.

Requirements

We prepare for the testing by gathering information about your network infrastructure. This includes IP ranges, NUC device setup, and any configurations or devices that must be tested. We ensure we have the necessary access to perform a thorough evaluation, including setting up any required testing environments.

Tailored testing

Our testing approach is customised to fit the unique aspects of your internal network. We maintain ongoing communication to adapt our testing strategies based on real-time insights and findings, ensuring that our recommendations are relevant and practical for your network environment.

Methodology

Network scanning

We perform comprehensive network scanning to identify active devices, open ports, and potential vulnerabilities within your internal network. This process helps us map your network infrastructure and pinpoint areas susceptible to attacks or misconfigurations.

Vulnerability assessment

Our team conducts a detailed vulnerability assessment to uncover security weaknesses in your network components, such as servers, routers, and switches. We utilise advanced tools and techniques to identify vulnerabilities and assess their potential impact on your network’s security.

Penetration testing

We simulate real-world attack scenarios to test the robustness of your network defences. By exploiting identified vulnerabilities and testing network defences, we provide a practical evaluation of how well your network can withstand potential threats.

SmartView takes care of your reporting

Cognisys’ SmartView Portal provides a centralised platform for clients to manage their projects and vulnerabilities efficiently. Through the portal, clients can track the status of each identified issue, assign tasks to team members, and monitor the progress of remediation efforts.

A detailed report is prepared once the external infrastructure penetration testing is complete, prioritising findings and providing strategic, actionable recommendations to strengthen the external security posture through our SmartView portal.

Cognisys SmartView portal
source code review

Why choose Cognisys for external infrastructure penetration testing?

Elevate your network security with our unparalleled internal network assessment services. With a proven track record of delivering exceptional results, our certified and highly skilled team ensures a meticulous evaluation of your network infrastructure.

We provide actionable insights through comprehensive analysis and detailed reporting, translating findings into practical recommendations that fortify your defences. We help you proactively address emerging threats and enhance your network’s resilience. Our tailored, client-focused approach guarantees that our assessments align with your specific security objectives, offering strategic guidance and ongoing support to maintain a robust and secure network.

FAQs

The duration of a penetration test depends on the scope and complexity of the network being tested. For example, a comprehensive test of a small network might take a few days, while a full assessment of a large enterprise’s network could take several weeks.

Preparation is crucial to ensure a smooth and practical penetration test. Here are the steps you should take:

  • Data backup: Ensure that all critical data is backed up. This is a precautionary measure to prevent data loss during testing.
  • Notify SOC/Monitoring Team: Inform your Security Operations Centre (SOC) or monitoring team about the scheduled scans. This helps distinguish between legitimate pen test activities and potential real threats.
  • Ensure authorisation: Request authorisation from hosting providers or third parties if your applications are hosted externally. This avoids any potential legal issues and ensures smooth coordination.
  • Notify stakeholders: Inform all relevant stakeholders, including IT staff and management, about the upcoming pen test. This helps manage expectations and ensure everyone knows the testing activities.

An authorisation form is a document that grants permission to conduct penetration testing on your systems. It is essential for several reasons:

  • Computer Misuse Act Compliance: In the UK, unauthorised testing can violate the Computer Misuse Act. The authorisation form ensures that the penetration test is legally sanctioned.
  • Scope definition: The form clearly outlines the scope of the test, including the IP addresses and systems to be tested. This ensures that only authorised scans are conducted and helps identify unauthorised activities.
  • Stakeholder awareness: By listing the scan IP addresses at the bottom of the form, you ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the testing activities and can differentiate between legitimate tests and potential attacks.

We strive to conduct testing to minimise disruption to your business operations. For example, if you run a 24/7 online retail store, we can schedule tests during off-peak hours to minimise impact. We will work with you to find the best time for testing. We also recommend creating a separate sandbox environment for undisrupted pen tests.

If a critical vulnerability is discovered, such as access to Domain Admin, we will immediately notify you and provide recommendations for mitigation. This allows you to address the issue promptly and minimise potential risks.

We retest all identified vulnerabilities once the client confirms they have fixed them. If some vulnerabilities remain unresolved, we will label them as “Open”, and another round of retesting will be necessary to close those findings from the report.

We will provide a detailed report on our SmartView portal that includes an executive summary, technical findings, severity ratings, and recommendations for remediation. The SmartView portal allows testers and clients to view vulnerabilities as soon as they are discovered. This real-time reporting enables prompt action and efficient management of security issues.

A NUC with Kali OS configured to connect to our secure communication channel is sent to the authorised address, as confirmed during the kick-off. VPN is also installed so our consultants can remote into the NUC to launch the internal scan. Special provisions are required: DHCP should be enabled, and the internet should be in place. Failing to deploy NUC, a virtual image could also be deployed in the cloud.

Let’s make things happen

Fill in the form and one of our team will be in touch for a no-obligation discussion or quote regarding your requirements.

info@cognisys.co.uk
Leeds office

5 Park Place
Leeds
LS1 2RU

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