Penetration testing

Penetration Testing for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses

Penetration testing shows whether an attacker could actually get in, not just whether a weakness might exist. It is a controlled, authorized attempt to break through your defenses.

We help businesses plan, scope, and arrange testing, then fix what the test finds.

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Serving Los Angeles
Business IT since 1998
Remote first, on-site when needed

The basics

What penetration testing is and is not

A vulnerability scan is an automated list of possible weaknesses. Penetration testing goes further. A tester tries to use those weaknesses the way a real attacker would, chaining small problems together to reach sensitive data. The result shows real-world risk.

Clients, insurers, and some regulations ask for penetration testing. The FTC Safeguards Rule, for example, calls for annual penetration testing and vulnerability assessments every six months at many covered firms.

We help you with

Deciding whether you need a test and what kind
Writing the scope and rules of engagement
Arranging the test with minimal disruption
Reading the report in plain English
Fixing findings and retesting
Keeping records for clients and insurers

Types of penetration testing

External

Tests what an attacker on the internet can reach: firewalls, remote access, and public services.

Internal

Assumes an attacker is already inside, such as through a phished laptop.

Web application

Tests a website or portal that handles customer data.

Wireless

Checks whether WiFi can be abused to reach business systems.

Phishing simulation

Tests whether staff click and report suspicious emails.

Vulnerability scanning

Regular automated scans between full tests.

How a penetration test runs

ScopeAgree on targets, timing, and what is off limits, in writing.
TestAuthorized testing during agreed hours.
Fix and retestFindings ranked by risk, fixed, and checked again.

Is penetration testing right for you now?

Penetration testing is most useful after the basics are in place. If MFA is missing, patches are months behind, and backups are untested, a test will mostly confirm what a cybersecurity risk assessment would have found for less money. We often recommend fixing those first, then testing to prove the defenses hold.

When a test makes sense

A client contract or security questionnaire requires one
Your insurer or a regulation asks for annual testing
You run a customer portal or handle card payments
You made big changes to the network or cloud setup
You want proof that recent security work is effective

How tests are done safely

Every test needs written authorization, a defined scope, and agreed hours. Testers should avoid anything that could take systems offline. NIST Special Publication 800-115 describes a widely used approach to security testing, from planning through reporting.

Turning findings into fixes

A report only helps if someone acts on it. We translate findings into a ranked fix list, carry out the work, and arrange a retest so you can show clients and insurers the issues are closed. Ongoing protection continues through managed security services.

We will be clear about who performs the test, what methods are used, and what the report will contain before any work starts.

Choosing the right tester

Ask any tester for a sample report, the methods they follow, how they protect your data during the test, and whether they carry insurance. A good report explains each finding, shows how it was found, ranks the risk, and gives clear steps to fix it. We help you compare proposals so you pay for penetration testing that fits your size and needs, not a large enterprise package you will never use.

After testing, keep the report confidential. It is effectively a map of your weaknesses until the fixes are done.

Penetration testing FAQ

Will a pen test take our systems down?

A properly scoped test avoids disruptive techniques and runs at agreed times. Risks are discussed before testing starts.

How often should we test?

Yearly is common, plus after major changes. Some rules and contracts set their own schedule.

What is the difference between a scan and a pen test?

A scan lists possible weaknesses. A pen test tries to use them to show real impact.

Do you fix what the test finds?

Yes. We can carry out the fixes and arrange a retest.

Find out if your defenses hold

Talk with us about whether a penetration test fits now, and how to scope it.