TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- What is Network Penetration Testing?
- How Does Network Penetration Testing Work?
- Types of Network Penetration Testing
- How to Perform External Network Pen Testing
- How We Approach an External Network Assessment
- Why Companies Perform Network Penetration Tests
- Vulnerabilities Detected by Our Network Penetration Testing Service
- Network Penetration Testing Cost: What to Expect
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Introduction
The perimeter of the network has expanded, and so has the potential attack surface for many companies that are migrating to cloud-based and hybrid infrastructures. Now, Network Penetration Testing has become not only a best practice, but also an essential measure for enterprise security.
When the average global cost of a data breach reached $4.45 million, more than 90% of data breaches resulted from spear phishing. More than 60 percent of these attacks stemmed from insecure networks resulting from misconfigured systems, weak credentials, and legacy vulnerabilities that had not been patched. Network Security Testing enables enterprises to remain ahead of cybercriminals by finding and fixing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, automatically.
In this comprehensive guide, we provide a step-by-step overview of what network penetration testing is, why it’s a core business function in today’s modern enterprise, and the types of threats it uncovers to enable your business to develop a more secure and resilient IT ecosystem.
What is Network Penetration Testing?
Network Penetration Testing (also called Network VAPT – Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing) mimics a cyberattack on your network infrastructure to find vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. These tests allow security teams to spot weak points before bad guys can take advantage of them.
Penetration testing goes beyond vulnerability scanning, which just points out possible problems. Instead, it tries to exploit these issues to evaluate how serious they are and what impact they might have. This gives a more true-to-life picture of how secure your IT setup is.
How Does Network Penetration Testing Work?
A network penetration tester mimics the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by hackers. The process generally includes:
- Reconnaissance – Gathering intelligence about the target system (e.g., IP ranges, open ports, DNS data).
- Scanning – Identifying live hosts, services, and potential vulnerabilities.
- Exploitation – Actively attempting to exploit the detected vulnerabilities.
- Post-Exploitation – Determining the value of the compromised system and potential lateral movement.
- Reporting – Documenting the vulnerabilities found, exploitation steps, and remediation recommendations.
Tools like Nmap, Nessus, Metasploit, and Burp Suite are commonly used in these tests.
Types of Network Penetration Testing
There are several types of Network Penetration Testing Services, depending on the nature and scope of the test:
- External Network Penetration Testing: Simulates an attack from outside the organization’s network perimeter, targeting public-facing systems like web servers, firewalls, and email gateways.
- Internal Network Penetration Testing: Assesses risks from within the organization, simulating insider threats or attackers who have breached the external defenses.
- Wireless Network Testing: Focuses on Wi-Fi networks to test for unauthorized access, weak encryption, or rogue access points.
- Social Engineering Tests: Evaluates how employees respond to phishing or manipulation tactics to gain network access.
How to Perform External Network Pen Testing
External network testing is crucial since most real-world attackers start from the outside. Here’s a simplified step-by-step process:
- Define the Scope – Determine which external IPs, domains, and assets are in scope.
- Recon & Scanning – Use tools to map out the target infrastructure and detect entry points.
- Exploit Weak Points – Attempt to breach exposed services like open ports, outdated software, or misconfigured firewalls.
- Privilege Escalation & Data Access – If access is gained, assess how far an attacker can go.
- Document Findings – Provide a comprehensive risk-based report.
How We Approach an External Network Assessment
At ECS, our approach to network security and penetration testing is both strategic and comprehensive:
- Customized Scope Definition: Tailored to your business’s risk profile.
- Real-World Attack Simulation: Emulating current threat actor behaviors using updated threat intelligence.
- Advanced Reporting: Actionable, risk-level categorized results, with mitigation recommendations.
- Compliance-Driven Testing: Compliance with standards such as ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and NIST.
We remain up to date with the newest CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) and zero-day exploits to make sure your systems are resistant to the newest threats.
Why Companies Perform Network Penetration Tests
Organizations invest in network security testing for several important reasons:
- Prevent Data Breaches: Uncover and fix vulnerabilities before hackers exploit them.
- Ensure Compliance: Many regulatory standards require regular network VAPT.
- Protect Brand Reputation: Avoid the financial and reputational damage from cyber incidents.
- Validate Security Controls: Verify that firewalls, IDS/IPS, and other controls are working effectively.
- Gain Executive Confidence: Provide leadership with a clear risk assessment.
Vulnerabilities Detected by Our Network Penetration Testing Service
Our network penetration testing services frequently uncover critical issues like:
- Misconfigured firewalls and routers
- Open and unnecessary ports
- Default or weak credentials
- Outdated software and unpatched systems
- Insecure API endpoints
- DNS and SMTP misconfigurations
- Lack of network segmentation
These findings are mapped to MITRE ATT&CK and CVSS scoring systems to help prioritize remediation efforts.
Network Penetration Testing Cost: What to Expect
Network penetration testing cost varies based on factors like:
- Scope and complexity of the network
- Number of IPs/assets tested
- Type of testing (black-box, grey-box, white-box)
- Depth of exploitation and reporting
On average, SMBs can expect to spend ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000, while large enterprise assessments may exceed ₹5,00,000 depending on the scope and duration. ECS provides competitive and transparent pricing based on your exact needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How frequently should a business do network penetration testing?
Ideally, it should be performed on an annual basis or when there is a significant change to the infrastructure (e.g., new servers, mergers, cloud migrations).
2. What is the difference between vulnerability scanning and penetration testing?
Vulnerability scanning finds potential weaknesses, and penetration testing exploits them to determine what they would mean in the real world.
3. Can penetration testing be done by internal IT staff?
While they can, third-party testers are impartial and often have more sophisticated tools and threat intelligence.
4. Keep DDoSing banter legal?
Yes, if properly sanctioned and conducted. It also serves as a tool for organizations to comply with standards such as ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, and GDPR.
5. What is the duration of a standard Network VAPT?
It depends on size, but typically 5 – 10 business days from commencement to receipt of final report for small to medium engagements.
