Penetration Testing
Simulated attacks on your systems using the same methods employed by malicious hackers.
A Penetration Test is a friendly attack on your company's information systems. We attempt to break into your systems using the same methods that a malicious hacker would employ.
Penetration Tests are our specialty, and each is conducted using highly-trained experts and unique methodologies developed through years of research and real-world engagements.
The goal is to identify vulnerabilities in your defences before an attacker can exploit them. We provide clear, actionable reports that help you understand the risks and prioritise remediation.
Every penetration test we conduct is tailored to your organisation. We never rely on a one-size-fits-all approach because every network and every business is different.
Types of Penetration Testing
We offer three distinct approaches, each providing a different perspective on your security posture.
Black Box Testing
We have no prior knowledge of your systems. This simulates an external attacker with no inside information, revealing vulnerabilities that are visible to the outside world.
White Box Testing
We are given full access to your architecture, source code, and documentation. This thorough approach uncovers deep vulnerabilities that may not be visible from the outside.
Grey Box Testing
We are given partial knowledge of your systems. This hybrid approach simulates an attacker with some inside information, striking a balance between depth and realism.
Here's how we'll work with you
Scope & Plan
We work with you to define the scope, objectives, and rules of engagement for the test.
Reconnaissance
Our team gathers intelligence on your systems, identifying potential entry points and attack vectors.
Exploit & Test
We attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to determine the real-world impact of each weakness.
Report & Remediate
You receive a detailed report with findings, risk ratings, and actionable remediation guidance.
Penetration Testing: All You Need to Know
What Determines the Cost of a Penetration Test?
Every engagement is unique. We tailor each test to your specific requirements — not all pen tests have to be the same, which means costs vary based on these key factors.
Network Complexity
The number of front-end and back-end systems, network devices, API endpoints, applications and software determines the number of possible vulnerabilities to test.
Scope of Engagement
The scope sets the breadth and depth — from testing your entire infrastructure to focusing only on critical, high-risk systems. Wider scope means more testing time.
Level of Initial Access
Black Box, White Box, or Grey Box. The amount of access provided at the start has a significant impact — less access means more effort to gain entry.
Tools & Technologies
We use industry-leading automated scanning tools combined with our own custom toolkits. Cheaper tools miss key vulnerabilities in complex business logic.
Analyst Expertise
Our multi-lingual, highly certified team (OSCP, CEH, CPTC) works through each test with maximum efficiency. Specialist skills for specialist problems.
Corrective Actions
Beyond finding vulnerabilities, we can work with your team to remediate issues. We recommend engaging security specialists for critical fixes.
Retest Included
Once corrective actions are taken, a retest verifies your systems are secure. We include a one-time retest free in every pen test contract.
The bottom line: Even at the higher end, the cost of a pen test pales in comparison to rebuilding a network after a cyberattack or the fines from regulatory bodies after a data breach. A penetration test is the best way to make sure you are as secure as you can be.
Why Choose Our Team
Expert Analysts
Our team holds industry-leading certifications including OSCP, CEH, and CREST. Every test is conducted by senior analysts.
Unique Methodologies
We invest 25% of our time in R&D, continuously refining our methodologies with the latest threat intelligence.
Actionable Reports
Our reports are clear, comprehensive, and designed to be used directly by both technical teams and management.
Types of Penetration Testing We Offer
Application Penetration Testing
All applications are vulnerable, every application has security flaws waiting to be exploited. Let our cyber security experts do a comprehensive penetration testing that not only discovers security vulnerabilities, but also finds business logic vulnerabilities, along with security checklists based on industry standards, including OWASP Top 10, SANS 25, & PCI Compliance.
Mobile Application Penetration Testing
Mobile applications present unique attack surfaces. We test on iOS, Android, and Windows platforms to uncover vulnerabilities in mobile-specific areas including data storage, inter-process communication, authentication, and network communication.
API Penetration Testing
OWASP has released a special top 10 to highlight the critical flaws in APIs. Our experts test RESTful, SOAP, and GraphQL APIs for authentication, authorization, injection, and business logic vulnerabilities.
Network Infrastructure Penetration Testing
Assuring the health of your network infrastructure is critical to your organisation's security. We test routers, switches, systems, and hosts for misconfigurations, default credentials, and exploitable vulnerabilities.
Cloud Infrastructure Penetration Testing
Testing in the cloud differs from traditional testing in that it focuses primarily on the audit of controls that can be applied from the management plane. We assess cloud configurations, IAM policies, and infrastructure security across AWS, Azure, and GCP environments.
Benefits of a Cyber Citadel Penetration Test
- ✓Secure your critical digital systems against sophisticated attacks
- ✓Manage cyber security risk by identifying vulnerabilities before attackers do
- ✓Build customer, regulator, and stakeholder confidence in your security posture
- ✓Meet internal and external compliance requirements (GDPR, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001)
- ✓Operate your business with peace of mind knowing your defences have been tested
- ✓Build resilience against the ways that a real-world attacker will target your network
Our cyber security experts test hundreds of systems and applications ranging from web and mobile applications to APIs and network infrastructure every year. This breadth of experience means we bring insights from across industries and attack surfaces to every engagement.