What’s Included in a Network Penetration Test? A Guide for Business Owners

Today, cyber threats are an ever-present risk for businesses of all sizes. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs) are especially vulnerable, with 43% of cyberattacks targeting them [Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report]. To stay ahead of attackers, businesses must proactively assess their network security—and that’s where network penetration testing comes in.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about network penetration testing (pentesting), from what it involves to how it benefits your business. Whether you’re new to cybersecurity or already familiar with the process, this is the only guide you’ll ever need.

What is Network Penetration Testing?

Network penetration testing is a simulated cyberattack performed by ethical hackers to evaluate the security of a business’s IT infrastructure. This process uncovers vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit, allowing organizations to address security gaps before a real attack occurs.

Unlike automated vulnerability scans, penetration testing involves human expertise to mimic the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of real-world attackers. Testers use a combination of reconnaissance, exploitation, and lateral movement strategies to assess how deep an attacker could infiltrate the network.

Penetration tests can be black-box, gray-box, or white-box, depending on the level of information provided to the testers.

• Black-box testing simulates an external hacker with no prior knowledge of the system.
• Gray-box testing represents an insider threat or an attacker with limited access.
• White-box testing provides testers with full knowledge of the network to identify deeper architectural flaws.

The ultimate goal is to expose weak points before cybercriminals do, reducing the risk of data breaches, ransomware attacks, and compliance violations.

Why is it Important?

• Simulates Real-World Attacks 

  A penetration test provides an accurate assessment of your organization’s security posture by replicating cyberattacks used by real hackers. This helps businesses understand:

  • How easily attackers can breach defenses.
  • What data or systems are at the highest risk.
  • How well existing security measures (firewalls, IDS/IPS, endpoint protection) perform under real attack conditions.

  For example, a pentest might reveal that an outdated VPN configuration allows attackers to bypass multi-factor authentication, giving them unauthorized access to internal resources.

• Identifies Security Weaknesses

  Penetration testing uncovers weaknesses that automated security tools often miss. These may include:

  • Unpatched software vulnerabilities (e.g., outdated Windows servers vulnerable to exploits like EternalBlue).
  • Misconfigured security settings (e.g., open ports, weak firewall rules, excessive permissions).
  • Weak passwords and credential reuse (e.g., admin accounts using default passwords).
  • Flaws in third-party integrations (e.g., insecure API endpoints exposing sensitive data).

  A 2023 study found that 93% of corporate networks can be compromised by attackers due to misconfigurations and poor credential management [Positive Technologies].

• Ensures Compliance 

  Many industries require regular penetration testing to meet cybersecurity regulations and standards. Failure to comply can result in heavy fines, reputational damage, and loss of business.

  • Healthcare (HIPAA) – Protects patient records from unauthorized access.
  • Finance (PCI DSS, FFIEC) – Secures payment transactions and financial data.
  • Retail & E-Commerce (PCI DSS) – Ensures safe handling of customer payment information.
  • Legal & Professional Services (ISO 27001, SOC 2) – Protects confidential client data.

  For example, PCI DSS requires businesses handling credit card transactions to conduct annual penetration tests to prevent cardholder data breaches.

• Prevents Financial Loss 

  Cyberattacks cost businesses billions of dollars annually, with SMBs being prime targets.

  • The average cost of a data breach for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) is $4.45 million [IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report].
  • 60% of SMBs shut down within six months of a cyberattack due to financial and reputational damage [National Cyber Security Alliance].
  • Ransomware attacks increased by 95% in 2023, with average ransom payments exceeding $1 million [Sophos Ransomware Report].

  By proactively identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, penetration testing saves businesses from catastrophic financial and operational disruptions caused by cyber incidents.

Types of Network Penetration Testing

Penetration testing isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Different attack scenarios require different testing methods to uncover potential weaknesses in your network. Securafy offers two primary types of penetration testing to match your security needs:

1. Internal Network Penetration Testing

What It Is:
Internal network penetration testing simulates an attack originating from within your organization. This could be from a rogue employee, a compromised device, or an attacker who has already breached the external perimeter (e.g., through stolen credentials or phishing). The goal is to identify how much damage an attacker could do once inside the network and whether internal security controls are strong enough to contain the threat.

What It Assesses:

• Unpatched Software Vulnerabilities – Older or unpatched systems could be exploited for privilege escalation or unauthorized access.
• Weak Internal Security Controls – Ineffective access restrictions and a lack of network segmentation can make lateral movement easier for attackers.
• Insider Threats and Privilege Escalation Risks – Employees or compromised insider accounts could gain access to sensitive data or privileged systems.
• Network Segmentation Effectiveness – Poorly segmented networks allow attackers to move freely across departments, servers, and sensitive assets.

An internal penetration test reveals that an employee in the marketing department has unnecessary access to the finance database due to misconfigured permissions. This means if a hacker gains control of a marketing user’s account, they could steal financial records or payroll information.

2. External Network Penetration Testing

What It Is:
External network penetration testing simulates an attack from outside your organization—as if a hacker were trying to break in from the internet. It evaluates your external-facing systems, such as firewalls, VPNs, and cloud services, to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited remotely.

What It Assesses:

• Firewall and VPN Vulnerabilities – Misconfigured firewalls or outdated VPN protocols could provide entry points for attackers.
• Open Ports and Exposed Services – Attackers scan for open ports (e.g., RDP, SSH) that may be vulnerable to brute-force or known exploits.
• Weak Authentication Mechanisms – Poor password policies, lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA), or outdated encryption can be exploited.
• Misconfigured Cloud Services – AWS S3 buckets, Azure storage, or other cloud services may be publicly accessible due to weak permissions.

A penetration test finds that a company’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) port is exposed to the internet without MFA or rate-limiting. Attackers can use automated brute-force tools to guess weak credentials and gain unauthorized access to internal systems.

The Network Penetration Testing Process

A thorough penetration test follows a structured methodology designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of your security posture. Here’s what the process looks like:

1. Planning & Reconnaissance

Before executing any attack simulations, penetration testers conduct information gathering and reconnaissance to identify potential entry points.

What Happens During This Phase:

• Active and Passive Information Gathering – Scanning public databases, WHOIS records, social media, and dark web sources for exposed company data.
• Identifying External Attack Surfaces – Mapping out exposed IP addresses, subdomains, email servers, and third-party integrations.
• Mapping Internal Network Structure – In an internal pentest, this includes identifying network architecture, user privileges, and critical assets.

A tester discovers an old, forgotten subdomain hosting an outdated web application that still connects to internal databases, providing an entry point for attackers.

2. Scanning & Enumeration

After gathering intelligence, testers actively probe the network for vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.

What Happens During This Phase:

• Automated and Manual Vulnerability Scanning – Using industry tools (e.g., Nmap, Nessus, Burp Suite) to scan for open ports and security weaknesses.
• Identifying Weak Configurations and Unpatched Systems – Checking for outdated software, weak encryption, and improperly secured services.

A scan reveals that an unpatched Apache web server is running a known vulnerability (CVE-2022-23943), which could allow remote code execution.

3. Exploitation & Attack Simulation

This is where penetration testers attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to see how far an attacker could go. Ethical hackers use real-world attack techniques to assess security weaknesses.

What Happens During This Phase:

• Privilege Escalation Attempts – Trying to gain administrator or root-level access after initial entry.
• Exploiting Misconfigured Network Settings – Bypassing poorly configured security controls to move deeper into the network.
• Assessing Lateral Movement – Seeing if an attacker can pivot between systems, steal credentials, or gain access to sensitive data.

An external pentest successfully exploits a weak password on a public-facing server, allowing the tester to move laterally and access the internal HR database containing employee personal information.

4. Reporting & Remediation

Once the test is complete, a detailed report is provided to the business, outlining security weaknesses, risk levels, and recommendations for improvement.

What Happens During This Phase:

• Executive Summary for Leadership – A high-level overview of vulnerabilities, risks, and business impact.
• Technical Breakdown for IT Teams – Detailed findings with technical specifics and exploitation methods used.
• Step-by-Step Remediation Guidance – Clear instructions on how to fix vulnerabilities, improve configurations, and strengthen defenses.

The report highlights that MFA is disabled on critical admin accounts and recommends enabling multi-factor authentication immediately to mitigate risks.

Real-Time Vulnerability Reporting

Traditional penetration testing providers often take weeks or even months to deliver final reports, leaving businesses vulnerable while waiting for critical security insights. By the time you receive a report, cyber threats may have already evolved, or attackers could have exploited uncovered vulnerabilities.

Securafy eliminates this delay with real-time vulnerability reporting. As security weaknesses are discovered during testing, they are immediately shared with your IT team, allowing for:

• Instant Risk Mitigation – Address critical vulnerabilities as soon as they are found, instead of waiting weeks for a final report.
• Live Collaboration with Security Experts – Work alongside our testers to understand risks and potential exploits in real time.
• Prioritized Action Plans – Get quick guidance on what to fix first based on real-world risk levels.

If our testers discover a misconfigured cloud storage bucket exposing sensitive customer data, your team will be notified immediately so the issue can be secured before a breach occurs.

This proactive approach ensures your business stays ahead of threats rather than reacting too late.

Compliance-Ready Testing

Many businesses need penetration testing not just for security, but to meet industry regulations and avoid fines. Failing to comply can result in lawsuits, financial penalties, and reputational damage.

Securafy’s penetration testing services are designed to help businesses meet and exceed compliance standards, including:

• HIPAA (Healthcare) – Ensures electronic protected health information (ePHI) is secure and not accessible to unauthorized individuals.
• PCI DSS (Finance & E-commerce) – Required for any business that processes credit card payments to prevent payment fraud and data theft.
• ISO 27001 & SOC 2 (General Business) – International standards for security best practices, ensuring robust protection of sensitive data.

If a financial services company needs to pass a PCI DSS audit, Securafy’s testing can identify weak encryption, insecure payment gateways, and unpatched vulnerabilities before auditors find them.

With detailed compliance reports and remediation recommendations, businesses can quickly address security gaps and maintain regulatory approval.

Why Choose Securafy for Penetration Testing?

When it comes to penetration testing, choosing the right partner makes all the difference. Securafy offers a unique blend of expertise, affordability, and efficiency that sets us apart from traditional providers.

✔ Certified Security Experts – Our ethical hackers hold top industry certifications, including OSCP, CISSP, and CEH, ensuring advanced security expertise.
✔ Affordable Solutions – Our services cost up to 50% less than other providers, making enterprise-level security accessible to SMBs.
✔ Fast Turnaround – Unlike competitors that take weeks or months, Securafy delivers results within days.
✔ Ongoing Security Support – Get monthly penetration testing at no extra cost, ensuring continuous security improvement.
✔ Ohio-Based & Remote Services – Whether you’re in Painesville, Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, or anywhere in the U.S., we offer both local and nationwide support.

With Securafy, you get penetration testing designed for real-world protection, not just compliance checkboxes.

Industries We Serve

Cyber threats impact every industry, but some are at higher risk due to sensitive data, financial transactions, or intellectual property. Securafy provides penetration testing solutions tailored to industry-specific security challenges.

Healthcare – Protect patient records and maintain HIPAA compliance by securing electronic health systems and medical IoT devices.
Finance – Prevent fraud, protect customer financial data, and meet PCI DSS requirements for secure transactions.
Manufacturing – Defend against cyber-espionage, safeguard intellectual property, and secure operational technology (OT) environments.
Real Estate – Ensure secure transactions, protect sensitive buyer/seller information, and prevent fraud in real estate platforms.
Legal Services – Maintain confidentiality of client data and prevent law firm-targeted cyberattacks.

A manufacturing company may be at risk of cyber espionage, where hackers attempt to steal proprietary designs or sabotage supply chains. Securafy’s penetration testing can uncover weak security controls in production networks, vulnerable VPN access points, and unpatched software risks.

By working with businesses across these industries, we understand their specific threats and compliance needs, delivering security solutions that go beyond generic assessments.

Secure Your Business Before Attackers Strike

With cyberattacks increasing by 38% year-over-year [Check Point Research], businesses can’t afford to wait until a breach happens. Penetration testing is not just about compliance—it’s about survival.

• Stay ahead of cyber threats.
• Uncover security weaknesses before attackers do.
• Get real-time insights and fast remediation plans.

Book Your Free 15-Minute Strategy Session with Securafy Today!

Assess your network security risks and protect your business from cyber threats before it’s too late.