PENETRATION TESTING SERVICES
Assess the integrity and security of your network with penetration testing for London and the South East
Identifying IT Weaknesses Before They’re Exploited
Cyber threats are increasing both in complexity and in the volume that they occur. Organisations need to be proactive in their approach to mitigate the risk of data breaches, reputational damage, and potential regulatory penalties.
Penetration testing offers a comprehensive approach to assessing your security posture by emulating real-world cyber attacks. By systematically probing your network, applications, devices, and systems for vulnerabilities and potential entry points, testing enables organisations to mitigate identified risks before they cause real issues.
With Crest-registered experts delivering penetration testing services throughout London and across the UK, we bring a wealth of experience in partnering with private and public sector organisations to address their cyber security needs.
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What Is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing is a way of assessing potential vulnerabilities that exist within your IT infrastructure. It’s a valuable exercise to undertake as an organisation’s infrastructure grows or working patterns change and is a vital piece of a robust cyber security strategy.
Against this background, organisations have had to cede a certain amount of control over how people interface with their systems. It’s in this environment that cyber criminals can take advantage, and is the reason why you need to understand where the gaps are in your defences.
Penetration testing allows you to get ahead of cyber criminals trying to gain access to your systems. It differs from other security assessments by simulating real-world cyber attacks to identify vulnerabilities. It goes beyond surface-level scanning, providing a comprehensive evaluation of your organisation’s security posture and identifying areas for improvements.
Akita’s team are experienced and fully-accredited. Discuss your requirements with them today:
The Akita Penetration Testing Advantage
We offer unparalleled expertise in penetration testing, providing a tailored approach to assess and fortify your organisation’s security posture.
With years of experience under their belt, our highly-accredited professionals are adept at conducting thorough tests that simulate real-world cyber attacks and simulating the action of hackers.
We know that each organisation’s requirements are unique, so we tailor our testing plans to suit your specific needs and infrastructure, ensuring that we uncover vulnerabilities efficiently and effectively.
Leveraging cutting-edge technology and advanced methodologies, we deliver comprehensive assessments that provide actionable insights to fortify your defences.
Our cyber security professionals hold the following credentials:
- CREST Registered Penetration Tester
- CREST Practitioner Security Analyst
- CHECK Team Leader – Web Applications
- CHECK Team Leader – Infrastructure
- Cyber Essentials (CE) Assessor
- Cyberscheme CSTL Web Applications
- Cyberscheme CSTL Infrastructure
- Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
- Offensive Security Web Expert (OSWE)
Our Penetration Testing Services Explained
Akita offers different types of testing depending on an organisation’s requirements
Internal Testing
With limited access to your network, we'll determine what access can be gained to wider systems, applications and data. Checks include for issues such as unpatched systems, the effectiveness of internal security policies and procedures, and weaknesses in internal communication channels and tools.
External Testing
Using just your IP address, we'll determine if access can be gained to your systems and what can then be exploited. This will include probing of security of network perimeters (including firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems), the security of remote access solutions, and the exposure of sensitive data through misconfigured services or open ports.
Cloud Testing
Assessment of public cloud environments such as Microsoft Azure and AWS and private cloud setups to identify weaknesses. Pen testing can find weaknesses or errors in the configuration, gaps in access management security and gaps in software interfaces.
Web Application Testing
Determining the security of websites, web portals and applications and whether they can be accessed, compromised or leak information. This includes where vulnerabilities can be externally added to code, if effective security authorisation is in place, and whether appropriate security is in place for data transmission.
Penetration testing follows the following approach:
- Initial consultancy to confirm areas that an organisation would like us to test. Where an organisation is unsure, we’ll be happy to advise on best practices based on requirements.
- Testing then commences on desired internal and/or external systems led by one of our consultants. They’ll assess risks with both software methods and human intelligence to find security gaps.
- Once complete, a report is produced. Risk findings are categorised at 4 levels from Critical to Low. This allows organisations to prioritise remediation measures.
- Alongside findings, our consultants will provide recommendations for improving defences or processes. They’ll also advise where Akita can make remediations if desired to.
Why Penetration Testing Is Essential
Penetration testing plays a critical role in safeguarding your organisation against cyber threats by identifying vulnerabilities, ensuring compliance, and protecting against data breaches.
Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, posing significant risks to organisations of all sizes. By identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, penetration testing enables you to take pre-emptive action to mitigate risks and strengthen your security posture.
For UK organisations, penetration testing is particularly relevant due to local compliance standards. Regulatory requirements, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), mandate the protection of personal data and require organisations to implement appropriate security measures. Testing helps ensure compliance with these regulations by identifying vulnerabilities and addressing them proactively.
FAQs About Penetration Testing
When is the best time to conduct a penetration test for my organisation?
Penetration testing should ideally be conducted regularly as part of your organisation's cyber security strategy. Akita recommend scheduling tests after significant changes to your infrastructure, such as network upgrades or new system implementations, and before major events like product launches or regulatory audits.
How long does a penetration test typically take?
The duration of a pen test can vary depending on factors such as the scope of the test and the size and complexity of your organisation's infrastructure. Generally, a comprehensive pen test may take anywhere from a few days to complete. It may then take a week to compile findings.
Will penetration testing disrupt my operations?
Penetration testing is designed to identify vulnerabilities without causing disruptions to your operations. It will typically require stakeholder time and engagement. There is also a possibility of disruptions if vulnerabilities are identified that require immediate remediation.
What types of vulnerabilities can a penetration test uncover?
A penetration test can uncover a wide range of vulnerabilities, including but not limited to software flaws, misconfigurations, weak or default passwords, insecure network protocols, and vulnerabilities in third-party applications or services.
Getting Started With Akita’s Penetration Testing Services
To schedule penetration testing for your organisation please contact one of our experts:
Call us on: 0330 058 8000
Email us on: info@akita.co.uk
London: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad St, London EC2N 1HN
Kent: Unit 15 Nepicar Park, London Road, Wrotham, Kent, TN15 7AF
Surrey: Dorset House, Regent Park, Kingston Road, Leatherhead, KT22 7PL
Or alternatively reach out via the form on our contact page and one of our specialists will be in touch: