Penetration Testing Services

Kroll’s experts will rigorously test your cyber defenses against real-world threats. Our world-class penetration testing services combine our team’s unparalleled experience and expertise with the latest front-line threat intelligence to provide a sophisticated and scalable approach that can assess the strengths and weaknesses of any system.

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Penetration testing, or pen testing, is a common strategy assessors use to investigate and remediate data system vulnerabilities. Our testers simulate attacks using the same tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) exploited by real-world cyber attackers. With regular pen testing, an organisation can identify and address weaknesses in their networks or applications before an attack takes place and significantly reduce their cyber risk.

How Pen Testing Benefits Your Business

How Pen Testing Benefits Your Business
Remediate Vulnerabilities Before an Attack Occurs
How Pen Testing Benefits Your Business
Demonstrate Compliance
How Pen Testing Benefits Your Business
Validate Your Existing Security Controls
How Pen Testing Benefits Your Business
Identify Areas for Future Security Investments

Available and Scalable: Kroll’s Comprehensive Approach to Pen Testing

Pentesting Services
 

Sophisticated and Scalable: Kroll’s Unique and Comprehensive Approach to Pen Testing

Kroll’s Cyber Risk team has the knowledge and experience needed to handle the most complex, large-scale pen testing engagements. Our testing services have been utilised by some of the world’s largest companies in a wide range of industries, from media and entertainment to critical infrastructure.

At the same time, our sophisticated approach – which includes an in-house team of experts providing the necessary structure and management background – can be scaled and adapted to meet the unique needs of any organisation.

The insights gained from responding to thousands of cyber incidents every year give us a unique pen testing advantage, feeding our certified cyber experts the necessary information to ensure our tests address the most up-to-date methods used by attackers in the real world.

Pentesting Services

Certified to the Highest Global Industry Standards

CISM

CREST

GLEN

ISC

Offensive Security

CISM

CREST

GLEN

ISC

Offensive Security

Kroll’s Six-phase Penetration Testing Approach

Scoping Your Pen Testing Project

A successful penetration testing engagement starts by establishing clear objectives for the assessment. Our experts work with a client's team to identify the type of testing required and define the assets to be included in the scope of the test.

Reconnaissance and Intelligence Gathering

Kroll collects and analyses publicly accessible information about a client's company and personnel, including public websites, social media, domain registries, and dark web data that could pose a risk to the organisation.

Scanning and Vulnerability Analysis

Our experts thoroughly assess the network infrastructure and applications to get a comprehensive understanding of the client's attack surface.

Threat Modeling Exercise

With the information collected, Kroll’s specialists identify potential attack vectors and vulnerabilities to exploit and then and create a plan for testing.

Attack Execution

Our team of cyber investigators carry out simulated attacks on identified vulnerabilities, employing methods used by real-life malicious actors.

Reporting and Advisory

We present a final report outlining our testing actions - including details on any vulnerabilities we found - and providing recommendations for effectively mitigating those risks.

Talk to a Cyber Expert

Kroll is ready to help, 24x7. Use the links on this page to explore our services further or speak to a Kroll expert today via our 24x7 cyber hotlines or our contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is penetration testing?

Penetration testing, also known as pen testing, describes the assessment of computer networks, systems, and applications to identify and address security weaknesses affecting computer networks, systems, applications and websites. Some vulnerabilities can’t be detected by automated software tools. Penetration testing is a form of ethical cyber security assessment which ensures that any weaknesses discovered can be addressed in order to mitigate the risks of an attack. It is recommended that all organisations commission security testing at least once per year, with additional assessments following significant changes to infrastructure, as well as prior to product launches, mergers or acquisitions.

What are the different types of penetration testing?

Types of pen test vary in focus, depth and duration. They can include internal/external infrastructure penetration testing, which assesses on-premise and cloud network infrastructure, wireless penetration testing, which targets an organisation’s WLAN, as well as wireless protocols. Other types of tests include web application testing, which assesses websites and custom applications delivered over the web, mobile application testing which tests mobile applications on operating systems, including Android and iOS to identify authentication, authorisation, data leakage and session handling issues, and build and configuration reviews which review network builds and configurations.

Why is penetration testing important?

Penetration testing is an important part of maintaining cyber security and addressing gaps in your organisation’s defenses. Penetration testing should be a critical element of all organisations’ security programmes to help them keep up with the fast-evolving threat landscape. With threats constantly evolving, it’s recommended that every organisation conducts a penetration test at least once a year, but more frequently when making significant changes to an application or infrastructure, launching new products and services, undergoing a business merger or acquisition or preparing for compliance with security standards.

What steps are involved in penetration testing?

High quality penetration testing services apply a systematic methodology to ensure that all the relevant aspects are covered. In the case of a blackbox external network pentest, once the engagement has been scoped, the pen tester will conduct extensive reconnaissance, scanning and asset mapping in order to identify vulnerabilities for exploitation. Once access to the network has been established, the pen tester will then attempt to move laterally across the network to obtain the higher-level privileges required to compromise additional assets and achieve the objective of the pentesting engagement. The final stage is the provision of a detailed report.

How long does penetration testing take?

The duration of a penetration test will depend on the scope of the test and the nature of the organisation. Factors affecting penetration testing duration include network size, whether the test is internal or external facing, whether it involves any physical penetration testing and whether network information and user credentials are shared prior to the penetration testing engagement. Your chosen vendor should discuss your options with you and agree what works best for your organisation prior to starting the penetration testing.

How frequently should penetration testing be carried out?

All organisations are advised to conduct a penetration test at least once a year, as well as after any significant upgrades or modifications to the company network. Given the rapid rate at which new exploits are discovered, quarterly tests are highly beneficial. Regular penetration tests are often required for compliance with regulations such as PCI DSS.

What happens after penetration testing is completed?

To help facilitate the remediation process, pen testing should be assessed to ensure that it delivers actionable guidance to drive tangible security improvements. After each engagement, the ethical hacker assigned to the test should produce a custom written report, detailing and assessing the risks of any weaknesses identified, and outlining recommended remedial actions. A provider may also offer a comprehensive telephone debrief following submission of the report.

How much does penetration testing cost?

Penetration testing costs vary widely, so it’s essential to ensure that the pen testing you select enables you to achieve the best security outcomes from your budget. Every organisation has its own testing requirements and penetration testing pricing varies according to the type of test performed, as well as its overall objectives and duration. Penetration testing costs ultimately depend on the issues and requirements identified during the initial scoping phase.

How is penetration testing conducted?

Penetration testing as a service utilises the tools, techniques and procedures used by genuine criminal hackers. At Kroll, our five-phase approach incorporates two powerful sources of insight: the front-line experience of our global team of leading cyber investigators and the real-time threats gained from sophisticated technology, including our patent-protected dark web tools. For organisations whose cyber maturity is advanced, we can also provide red teaming exercises (on a onetime or periodic basis) that focus on specific objectives and scenarios provided by your team.

Will penetration testing affect business operations?

As penetration testing involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities, a clearly defined scope is needed to ensure that testing won’t impact business operations and fall foul of the law. A good pen testing provider should work closely with you to minimise any potential disruption to your business during the testing process. They should also agree in advance how to maintain the security of your systems and assets throughout the process.

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