Penetration Testing Services 
Strong foundations
Our work begins before testing starts. We take the time to get to know your business so we can devise the strategy that’s perfect for you.
Why your business needs penetration testing
Companies are currently facing an average of 1,185 phishing attacks every month.
Identify vulnerabilities in your system before cyber criminals can.
Help with prioritising your cyber security risks and future investments.
Eliminate the high cost of network downtime cause by an attack.
Meet compliance and regulatory requirements, such as ISO 27001 and GDPR.
Improve your team's awareness and understanding of cyber security risks.
96% OF OUR RECENT ASSESSMENTS IDENTIFIED VULNERABILITIES
49% OF THEM CONTAINED HIGH RISKS
38% WERE AUTHENTICATION AND ACCESS RELATED
8,900 BUSINESS RISKS WERE REMEDIATED LAST YEAR
Our 4-step network penetration testing process
Discovery
We take the time to understand your business and define your cyber security challenges.
Project scope
Our dedicated experts will explore every avenue to scope out the project deliverables based on your business challenges and requirements.
Exposing vulnerabilities
Testing your business infrastructure using a process, developed over 20 years, to ensure we identify even the smallest of threats.
Debriefing
You will receive a report written identifying risks, priorities and a clear course of action.
Types of penetration testing
Our experts will guide you on the best choice of penetration testing for your organisation, depending on your specific challenges and business priorities.
Web application penetration testing
Application security is a requirement for almost all software in use today. The uniqueness of each application brings a challenge to ensure the security requirements are designed and implemented effectively. Web applications are part of everyday life, powering everything from a simple static website to complex e-commerce and banking applications. If not secured properly, attackers could exploit vulnerabilities to access sensitive information or gain further access to the environment.
A web application penetration test will assess all areas of concern that typically make these applications insecure and will closely follow the industry best practice such as is detailed in the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide (WSTG). Any issues identified will receive detailed analysis in an attempt to determine if they are exploitable, and corrective measures will be suggested.
A&O IT Group’s expert security consultants will thoroughly examine a web application’s security controls and provide a detailed review of the security posture enabling you to build on strengths and remediate weaknesses.
Mobile application penetration testing
Organisations often have one or more mobile applications that provide services to employees and clients which interac with large amounts of sensitive data. Unlike web applications, mobile applications also run some of their logic in the local mobile device, which provides additional opportunities for an attacker to find and exploit vulnerabilities.
A typical mobile application penetration test would involve static and dynamic analysis. Static analysis will involve decompiling the packages and analysing security issues such as, outdated third party libraries, deprecated functions and anti-tampering measures. A dynamic analysis will then take place where the flow or logic of the application will be assessed, including authentication and authorisation controls, data storage, and the ability to intercept sensitive data.
A&O IT Group’s expert consultants will utilise industry-standard frameworks such as the OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide (MSTG) to ensure good assessment coverage of all aspects of the mobile application.
API security testing
API endpoint utilising standards such as REST, SOAP, and GraphQL, among others, are routinely utilised to provide data that will be consumed by all kinds of applications (including web and mobile). Vulnerabilities in the implementation of such endpoints can lead to data leakage and in extreme cases, even remote code execution and complete system compromise.
An API security assessment will investigate all of the relevant endpoints, how they process data, and attempt to identify any design, configuration, or implementation issues that could lead to exploits such as unauthorised data exfiltration or the bypassing of authentication and authorisation controls.
A&O IT Group’s security consultants will use industry best practices and their own years of experience to thoroughly test API endpoints, identifying weaknesses and providing remediation advice.
Network & infrastructure penetration testing
Countless devices are exposed on both internal and public networks every day, and with specialised search engines, malicious actors can easily search for badly configured devices that can offer a way into the network of an organisation.
An external network and infrastructure penetration test will assess the online footprint of an organisation to determine if there are any insecure or outdated services exposed, including publicly accessible management interfaces. During this assessment, all relevant information will be gathered and the risk to the business will be determined. An internal network penetration may follow an external penetration test where initial access has been gained or be conducted as a separate assessment where initial access is assumed. Consultants will identify vulnerabilities with devices on the network and attempt to ethically exploit these vulnerabilities – according to the agreed scope - to move laterally and escalate privilege within the environment.
A&O IT Group’s CREST accredited consultants are experienced in all types of network and infrastructure penetration tests and will provide concise advice to enable you to understand and improve your overall security posture.
Physical penetration testing
An attacker breaking into your premises is increasingly more likely to leave something behind than they are to steal something. The cyber resilience of your business is dependent on the physical security of your premises. Imagine what an attacker could achieve with unrestricted and undetected access to your offices, warehouses, or plant. Organisations ignore physical security at their peril.
A physical penetration test can be completed as an isolated assessment but would also normally form a key part of any Red Team engagement and may also include a Social Engineering element. Experts will attempt to reach sensitive areas without being detected using techniques to bypass security guards, cameras, physical and digital access controls, and other security measures.
A&O IT Group’s experienced team of physical security consultants work globally with organisations of all shapes and sizes to identify physical vulnerabilities and improve their overall security posture.
Wireless penetration testing
Wireless networks are deployed in most companies to provide connectivity for mobile devices and in some cases as an alternative to costly structured cabling. However, if not properly configured, wireless networks could provide an attacker with unauthorised access to sensitive devices.
A wireless security assessment would take into consideration how the network and appropriate security controls have been implemented including authentication, network segmentation providing isolation between different environments, client isolation and that other configuration has been implemented securely.
A&O IT Group’s security consultants can assess and advise if the wireless networks of an organisation are implemented securely and provide remediation advice if any vulnerabilities are found during the assessment.
Social engineering
The human element remains one of the weakest links of any security strategy. It is therefore important to understand the security exposure of an organisation and identify areas where new processes or training may need to be put in place.
A social engineering assessment is highly bespoke and could include tailored phishing campaigns, spear phishing, phone calls, and in-person attempts to bypass local security personnel, among others. It is important to understand exactly what the needs of the organisation are and plan accordingly. Social Engineering can be a vital component of Physical Security Assessments and Red Team engagements.
A&O IT Group’s security consultants will utilise their extensive social engineering experience to identify weaknesses in policy, procedure or user awareness training that can expose the organisation to undue risk.
Cloud penetration testing
A cloud penetration test identifies potential security vulnerabilities in an organisation's cloud-based systems and applications like AWS or Azure. It determines the effectiveness of existing security controls and provides actionable remediation advice for weaknesses that could be exploited by cybercriminals.
Cloud penetration testing is crucial because it uncovers vulnerabilities in your cloud infrastructure, improving your overall security posture and preparing you to respond to potential threats effectively.
A&O IT Group offers comprehensive cloud penetration testing services to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in your cloud-based systems, ensuring your business stays secure against evolving cyber threats.
What can be tested?
Every step taken by your organisation to capture, store and process information can be tested.
The systems and buildings the information is stored in, the transmission channels that transport it, and the processes and personnel that manage it.
Off-the-shelf products
Servers, smart phones, firewalls & routers.
Bespoke software development
Websites, mobile applications & games.
Telephone equipment
Exchanges, smartphones, VOIP & fax servers.
Wireless systems
WIFI networks, RFID tokens & contactless cash.
Physical protection
CCTV, door entry systems & mechanical locks.
Why choose A&O IT Group's penetration testing services
Human expertise
We don’t rely solely on machine-led analysis, but on experts who validate the data and make decisions based on their findings.
Commitment to our clients
We understand long-term relationships provide better results for you and us, which explains our commitment to excellent client service.
Easy-to-understand reporting
We take complex issues and present them in a simple way, giving you a clear view of what needs addressing and how we can protect you.
Passion for cyber-security
We have a passion for finding hidden threats. Learning about new cyber security technologies and trends just doesn’t feel like work to us.
Debrief with your cyber expert
You will receive a hard copy report, we highlight the risk level and priority to your business of every threat - something that can’t be done with automated reporting.
Delivering a first class level of service
Our high service standards, loyal team and flexible approach keep our valued customers returning to us time after time.
A&O IT Group have provided us with regular Penetration Testing for over seven years. Their effective and highly experienced cyber experts provide us with credible consultation that has helped us continuously improve our cyber security defences
Nigel Gray | Information Security Officer
Hays
A&O IT Group are reliable, innovative, and place us as a customer at the heart of their business.
CEO
Nescot College
At Ecrebo, ensuring the security of our infrastructure is paramount. That's why partnering with A&O IT Group has been instrumental in our efforts. Their team of highly experienced and reliable cyber security experts has provided invaluable assistance, making the process easy.
Ashish Rajora | Head of DevOps
Ecrebo
FAQs
What is penetration testing?
Penetration testing involves running a simulated cyber-attack across all your organisation’s systems, including networks, software, apps and websites. In this case, of course, the cyber-crime experts are on your side. Our aim is to find all the security vulnerabilities an attacker could exploit before they have the opportunity to do so.
Who will carry out my security testing?
A&O IT Group’s CREST-approved penetration testers rank among the most respected in the industry, so you can be sure your assessment will be carried out to the highest possible standard. A number of our security consultants are active contributors to industry publications and white papers, and they are all well-established within the infosec industry.
What is in my penetration testing report?
Our bespoke report will provide you with concise analysis of security vulnerabilities and associated threat levels, along with remediation advice. Our complimentary executive and technical presentations are provided as standard, so you will have ample opportunity to discuss our findings directly with the consultant who carried out your testing.
How often should my organisation carry out penetration testing?
Due to the threat landscape constantly evolving, penetration testing should be performed on a regular basis. It’s recommended that all organisations carry out a penetration test at least once a year but there are many reasons why more frequently would be recommended; when you make changes to infrastructure, for example, or in preparation for compliance standards.
What is the difference between penetration testing and red teaming?
Whilst penetration testing and red team assesments are related and often confused, they do have their distinct differences.
Penetration testing has a focused scope, often limited to a system or application. The aim is to find and remediate vulnerabilities that a malicious attacker could exploit - thus lowering the threat.
A red teaming assessment is a wider approach aimed at testing an organisation's overall security posture using the latest tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to access their most valuable digital assets.
We took a deeper dive into the difference in our blog Penetration Testing vs. Red Teaming - What's the difference?
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Improve your company's cyber security with our penetration testing services. With many companies having successfully improved their security posture, you'll be in good hands!
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