CREST-certified analysts test your networks, systems and web applications — then give you a clear roadmap for fixing what they find.
A penetration test is an authorised, controlled attempt to break into your systems using the same methods a real attacker would use. The goal is to find weaknesses before someone with malicious intent does. Our CREST-certified analysts conduct thorough tests against your networks, systems and web applications, then give you a prioritised roadmap for fixing what they find.
Most small businesses assume they are too small to be specifically targeted. Attackers use automated tools that probe thousands of systems simultaneously, looking for known vulnerabilities regardless of organisation size. A penetration test gives you an evidence-based picture of where those vulnerabilities exist — not a guess based on assumptions about your setup, but a verified assessment of what is actually exploitable.
Penetration testing is also increasingly required by insurers, enterprise clients and regulated sectors as evidence that your security posture has been independently verified.
External network penetration testing. We attempt to breach your systems from the outside, as an attacker on the internet would. This covers your internet-facing infrastructure, open ports, exposed services and any public-facing systems.
Internal network penetration testing. We assess what an attacker could do once inside your network — testing for lateral movement, privilege escalation and access to sensitive data from a position inside your perimeter.
Web application testing. For businesses with customer-facing web applications, portals or APIs, we test against the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities and identify weaknesses in your application logic, authentication and data handling.
Social engineering assessments. We test how your staff respond to phishing simulations and other social engineering tactics, identifying training gaps alongside technical ones.
Every engagement includes a written report with an executive summary suitable for board-level review alongside full technical findings. Vulnerabilities are prioritised by risk level — critical, high, medium and low — so you know exactly where to focus remediation effort first. We include a clear remediation roadmap and are available to answer questions once you have reviewed the report.
Re-testing is available once remediation is complete, giving you documented evidence that identified vulnerabilities have been resolved.
Our penetration testing team holds CREST certification — the industry standard for technical security testing in the UK. CREST certification means our analysts have passed rigorous technical examinations and adhere to a professional code of conduct. For organisations requiring evidence of assessor quality — insurers, enterprise clients, regulated sectors — CREST certification provides that assurance.
Penetration testing is appropriate for any business that holds customer data, processes payments, operates web applications, or is seeking to meet insurance, compliance or client requirements. It is particularly valuable before a major system change, after a security incident, or as part of annual security reviews. If you are pursuing Cyber Essentials Plus, our Cyber Essentials service includes the independent technical testing that certification requires.
Contact us to discuss your requirements. We will scope the engagement based on what you need tested, provide a clear quote and agree a schedule that minimises disruption to your operations. Most SME penetration tests are completed within one to three days of testing time.
How much does a penetration test cost?
Cost depends on scope — what systems are being tested, the size of your network and the types of testing required. We provide a fixed-price quote after an initial scoping conversation. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
How often should we do a penetration test?
Annual testing is standard for most SMEs. You should also test after significant infrastructure changes, before major product launches, or if you have experienced a security incident.
Will a penetration test disrupt our operations?
We schedule testing to minimise disruption and agree the scope and timing with you in advance. Most SME engagements are conducted during working hours with no significant operational impact.
What is the difference between a penetration test and a vulnerability scan?
A vulnerability scan is automated — it identifies known vulnerabilities in your systems but does not attempt to exploit them. A penetration test goes further: our analysts actively attempt to exploit weaknesses to determine their real-world impact, providing a much more accurate picture of your actual exposure.
Do you provide re-testing after remediation?
Yes. Once you have addressed the findings from your penetration test, we can conduct re-testing to verify that vulnerabilities have been properly resolved and provide updated documentation.
A penetration test identifies the vulnerabilities in your systems at a point in time. 24/7 monitoring ensures that new threats are caught continuously after the test is complete — the two work together as part of a layered security approach.
Book a scoping call and get a fixed-price quote for your penetration test.