Penetration Testing Services

Discover vulnerabilities ahead of attackers with our rigorous security assessment services.

What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing simulates real-world cyber-attacks against your systems. This lets you identify and address security weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them. The process includes planning, testing, exploiting vulnerabilities, and reporting findings with recommendations for areas of improvement. The results of a penetration test can be used to prioritise the remediation of vulnerabilities, as well as to demonstrate the effectiveness of existing security controls.

At Nexus, our penetration testing services are carried out by our Microsoft-certified security specialists. They act as ethical hackers, testing your defences and providing actionable recommendations to strengthen your protection.

This proactive approach helps maintain compliance requirements, protect sensitive data, and prevent costly breaches. You get to gain confidence in your security posture while demonstrating due diligence to stakeholders – a win for all parties involved.

How is Penetration Testing Performed?

Penetration testing can be performed in a variety of ways, including manual testing, automated testing, and hybrid testing. Manual testing involves a human tester using manual methods to try and penetrate a system, while automated testing uses software tools to perform the testing.

Hybrid testing combines the strengths of both manual and automated testing, leveraging the knowledge and expertise of penetration testing consultants with the speed and efficiency of automated tools.

There’s a variety of penetration tests that might be carried out:

White Box

Penetration testing based on being given network access and account details. This is for assessing the ‘insider threat’ of a current or ex-employee.

Grey Box

As per the white box, but without usernames and passwords supplied. Perhaps an attacker has specific knowledge of the business but not full details.

Black Box

Starting from just a web address, the test begins with no prior knowledge of your business. Everything discovered in the testing is learned from scratch, as it would be by an assailant who doesn’t know you.

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The Penetration Testing Process

Planning & Scoping

The first step involves defining the objectives and scope of the penetration test. This includes identifying which systems, networks, or applications will be tested and outlining the type of test to perform (e.g., black-box, white-box, or grey-box testing).

Information Gathering

In this phase, our team will collect as much information as possible about the target systems, networks, and applications through either passive or active reconnaissance. Both involve gathering key information that helps guide what the nature of the test will involve.

Vulnerability Analysis

This next step identifies security flaws within any systems or applications by analysing the data gathered during the previous phase. Automated tools like Burp Suite, Qualys, or OpenVAS will help us to identify known vulnerabilities such as outdated software, weak passwords, or unpatched systems.

Exploitation

During exploitation, our penetration testing consultants will simulate actual attacks to exploit identified vulnerabilities and assess their potential impact. This phase validates whether identified vulnerabilities can be exploited to gain unauthorised access. The goal isn’t to cause harm – it’s to demonstrate how an attacker could compromise the system.

Post-Test Impact Analysis

After a successful penetration testing exploitation, our testers will evaluate the extent of any potential damage or risks. They examine the level of access obtained, the data compromised, and the actions an attacker could take with the gained privileges.

Reporting

In the last part of our penetration testing service, we compile our findings into a comprehensive report. This document includes detailed descriptions of identified vulnerabilities, the methods used to exploit them, and their potential impact on your business. Each vulnerability is assigned a risk rating, so you know exactly what to address next.

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Let’s Chat About Your IT

Every business is different and so are its IT challenges.

Whether you’re exploring how to improve cybersecurity, strengthen backup and continuity, or get more from your Microsoft 365 environment, we’ll help you identify where to start.

Our consultants will take the time to understand your setup and share clear, practical recommendations — no jargon, no hard sell.

Simply complete the form and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.
(Most suitable for organisations with 40+ IT users.)

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