Penetration Testing Services
Penetration testing is a simulated cyberattack on a computer system or network, performed by security professionals to identify and exploit vulnerabilities before malicious actors can. Also known as “pen testing,” it involves using ethical hacking techniques to assess a system’s defenses and provide organizations with a roadmap to fix weaknesses, strengthen security, and maintain compliance.
From adversary simulation to penetration testing, we have you covered. Learn why more companies choose Gridware as their penetration testing company of choice. Proactive testing is the primary strategy to help prevent incidents before they happen.
Gridware is a leading provider of penetration testing services to businesses of all sizes - from small medium enterprise to Government and Defence sectors.
Dive deeper into how we’re empowering businesses with superior pen testing solutions:
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing, or pen testing, is a crucial aspect of cyber security. It involves ethical hacking where an authorised individual attempts to find and exploit security vulnerabilities within an organisation’s IT infrastructure, applications, or processes. This is done to test accessibility to crucial assets and ensure robust defences against potential cyber threats. Our expert penetration testers simulate real-world cyber attacks to assess system resilience, providing actionable insights to enhance security.
The primary goal is to evaluate the robustness of your cyber security strategy and provide management with a comprehensive assessment of the organisation’s cyber health and associated risks. Ultimately, a penetration test enhances cyber security and helps shape strategic frameworks.
Your Penetration Testing Experts
Ahmed Khanji
Chief Executive Officer
Hassan Zaatar
Chief Customer Officer
Lachlan Wright
Head of DFIR
Jawad Khan
Chief Information Security Officer
Jonothan Kim
Senior Penetration Tester | Team Lead
Types of Penetration Test
We conduct a range of penetration testing services to find gaps in the security of our clients’ IT infrastructure, applications and processes, with the aim of helping you build better and more robust defences.
Adversary Simulation
Tailors the full tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by real attackers
Web Application Penetration Testing
Proactively identify application vulnerabilities and safeguard your web assets.
Network Security Penetration Testing
Network Security Penetration Testing
Internal Network Penetration Testing
Boost the security of your internal networks with our comprehensive.
External Network Penetration Testing
Evaluate your network’s defenses with our meticulous security testing
Mobile App Penetration Testing
Validate mobile application security, protecting data and business reputation
WiFi Penetration Testing
Secure your wireless systems, safeguarding against intrusions
IoT Penetration Testing
Strengthen IoT device security, mitigating potential breaches in your interconnected devices
Who are the best penetration testers in Australia?
Gridware. Because this is where the best penetration testers in Australia choose to work.
As the highest-ranking cybersecurity company in Australia, Gridware takes pride in being certified as a Great Place to Work® and receiving the distinguished Best Workplaces™ award. This makes us not only a leader in cybersecurity but also the Best Cybersecurity Workplace in Australia, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to creating an exceptional work environment.
Gridware’s certification portfolio includes credentials held by both our in-house professionals and our trusted partner consultants.
Penetration Testing Methodologies
Our penetration testing methodology helps rapidly and efficiently determine the extent to which your network and assets can defend against cyber threats by testing them against common exploits and vulnerabilities. We perform our testing from the perspective of an attacker, utilising in-house tools, vulnerability scanning and manual scripts to emulate attack incidents.
Australian Signals Directorate’s Information Security Manual (ISM)
The ISM, under the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), provides guidance for the Australian government’s information security, including conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.
CREST Penetration Testing Guide
CREST International focuses on ensuring robust, comprehensive, and ethical testing. They place emphasis on providing clear scope, employing rigorous methodologies, and maintaining professional conduct throughout the testing process. The CREST framework ensures the delivery of high-quality, reliable results which provide actionable insights for enhancing cybersecurity posture.
Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM)
A peer-reviewed methodology for performing security tests and metrics. OSSTMM test cases focus on various areas like operational security, physical security, wireless security, telecommunication security, and data networks security.
OWASP Testing Framework
OWASP’s comprehensive framework is primarily designed for web application security, covering aspects like information gathering, configuration and deployment management testing, identity management testing, and more.
Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES)
PTES provides a well-structured sequence of processes to guide penetration testers. Its guidelines cover detailed pre-engagement interactions, intelligence gathering, threat modeling, and vulnerability analysis, which ensure a thorough understanding and effective exploration of the target system.
NIST SP 800-115
Although an American standard, The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Special Publication 800-115 provides technical guidance on network security testing, including the design, implementation, and analysis of the results that is used internationally including Australia.
Information System Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF)
A comprehensive and structured methodology for conducting information systems security assessments. It covers areas from technical security testing and human security testing to physical security assessment procedures.
Speak to a professional today and get a quote for our penetration testing service.
Game-Changing
Key Benefits of Pen Testing
Gridware offers penetration testing services that empower organisations to take preventive action against potential downtime, financial loss, and reputational damage. By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities proactively, businesses can stay ahead of the latest cyber security threats.
Real-World Attack Simulation
With our penetration testing services in Melbourne, Sydney, and across Australia, businesses can see what hackers could potentially exploit. This proactive approach strengthens cyber security resilience by testing the effectiveness of existing security measures, reviewing application development strengths, and fortifying defences against evolving threats.
Active Threat Detection
A comprehensive penetration testing regimen allows continuous identification and management of security vulnerabilities. This provides real-time visibility into your cyber security landscape, enabling swift action against any active threats.
Risk Prioritisation
Our tailored approach helps you strategically prioritise resources. Gridware’s penetration testing services ensure effective risk mitigation by focusing on the most critical security vulnerabilities, enhancing your overall cyber security posture.
Regulatory Compliance
Penetration testing assists in meeting regulatory requirements, demonstrating a robust and proactive approach to cyber security. This compliance not only satisfies regulators but also reassures stakeholders of your commitment to maintaining high security standards.
Financial Loss Prevention
By identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, penetration testing can save significant costs related to data breaches and system downtime. This proactive measure is essential in protecting your financial resources.
Trust and Reputation Building
Regular penetration testing showcases your commitment to cyber security. It instils confidence in customers, partners, and stakeholders, protecting your brand’s reputation and building trust in your business operations.
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The Seven Phases of Penetration Testing
Pre Sales Scoping and Proposal
This is the initial stage where we engage with the client to define the test’s parameters, understanding the client’s objectives, and identify the systems to be tested, the depth of the test, and the test timings. To assist with scoping we may send out checklists to the client, or ask for further documentation or diagrams (unless the client is seeking a black box approach, in which case we do not ask for additional documentation). We then develop a bespoke proposal with pricing that is issued to the client for consideration.
Rules of engagement (RoE)
Once your proposal and contracts are signed, we look to undertake the Rules of Engagement (RoE) meeting to ensure all parties are clear about the test boundaries and conditions. This stage involves a meeting to discuss and agree upon the scope of the test, times of testing, and other critical aspects, ensuring the test is conducted ethically and professionally.
Reconnaissance
This stage involves our team embarking on an intelligence-gathering mission about your system. By collecting essential details like IP addresses, network services, and more, we can sketch a detailed blueprint of your environment to effectively probe for vulnerabilities.
Scanning
This phase comprises a detailed technical analysis of the target system, using automated tools like vulnerability scanners and network mappers. The scanning results help to understand how the target application responds under different conditions and pinpoint potential weak points.
Vulnerability Assessment
Following scanning, the vulnerability assessment phase is a careful analysis of the target system to identify potential points of exploitation. This meticulous assessment flags potential vulnerabilities, enabling us to fully comprehend your system’s security posture.
Explotation
In this critical phase, our team attempts to capitalise on discovered vulnerabilities to determine the depth of the vulnerability and the potential damage it could cause. The intention is not to harm but to understand the potential of a real-life breach.
Reporting
The final stage involves creating a comprehensive report detailing our findings. It includes identified vulnerabilities, exploited data, and the success of the simulated breach. Importantly, the report offers recommendations for addressing the vulnerabilities and improving your security, serving as a roadmap towards a secure IT infrastructure.
How Much Access Is Given to Penetration Testers?
Gridware’s comprehensive approach to penetration testing projects involves close collaboration with clients, on-site and remotely, across Australia. Our penetration testing teams in Sydney and Melbourne ensure that the level of access granted to penetration testers aligns with best practice frameworks such as PTES, OWASP, and OSSTMM.
The level of access varies based on the type and depth of the test being conducted:
Black Box Testing: Testers have no prior knowledge of your systems, mimicking a real-world attack from an external threat actor with no insider information.
White Box Testing: Here testers have comprehensive access to your systems, allowing them to evaluate security from an insider’s perspective.
Your penetration testing company and approach should be tailored to your organisation’s unique needs and threat landscape. Gridware ensures that penetration testing services are customised to address the security risks faced by your business.
For more information on improving your security and how our penetration testing services can protect against security vulnerabilities, get in touch with the Gridware security team today. Ensure your business is safeguarded with the best penetration testing Australia has to offer.
Common Penetration Testing Techniques
At Gridware, our team of skilled penetration testers use a wide range of techniques straight from the top industry standards. These are the same tactics that hackers use to identify weak points in your systems. We simulate these attacks to see how your systems hold up and identify areas for improvement. This hands-on approach gives us a real-world view of your digital defences, helping us strengthen your systems against the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats. Understanding these techniques can give you a unique perspective into the extensive work we do to keep your business safe.
Active Penetration Testing Techniques
Network Scanning or Network Mapping
Network scanning or network mapping is a technique where the corporate network is probed to identify connected devices, open ports, and potentially unsecured access points.
Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks
In these scenarios, attackers intercept communication between two parties to eavesdrop, steal data, or impersonate one of the parties.
Injection Attacks
Attackers input malicious data into a system, tricking it into executing unintended commands or accessing unauthorized data. This includes SQL, OS, or LDAP injection, where the attacker feeds malicious data to a system that interprets it as part of a command or query.
Privilege Escalation Attacks
Privilege escalation attacks occur when attackers exploit a system or application vulnerability to gain elevated access to resources.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
A type of injection attack, XSS involves injecting malicious scripts into trusted websites, which can lead to sensitive information being exposed.
Indirect Penetration Testing Techniques
Phishing Attacks
In phishing attacks, individuals are tricked by attackers into providing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details.
Denial of Service Attacks
Denial of Service attacks aim to render a system, service, or network resource unavailable by overwhelming it with a flood of internet traffic.
Malware Attacks
Malware attacks involve the use of various forms of malware, including viruses, ransomware, or spyware, by attackers to compromise a system.
Brute-Force Attacks
In brute-force attacks, an attacker attempts to gain access to a system by guessing the password, often using automated software to generate a high volume of consecutive guesses.
Pen TESTING TOOLS
Penetration testing tools are essential for evaluating the security of systems, networks, and applications. They empower skilled professionals to uncover vulnerabilities and potential weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors. By leveraging a variety of tools, penetration testers gain valuable insights into an organisation’s resilience. These tools assist with undertaking the pen testing techniques we mentioned earlier. By effectively utilising penetration testing tools, organisations can strengthen their security defences and safeguard against potential threats.
Why Penetration Testing Matters for Your Business
- Effective penetration testing is crucial for protecting digital assets against evolving cyber threats.
- Gridware follows industry standards and best practices such as OWASP, PTES, OSSTMM, and CREST.
- Our skilled team utilises a comprehensive range of techniques including network scanning, injection attacks, cross-site scripting, privilege escalation, and more.
- We identify vulnerabilities and provide actionable recommendations to fortify your defenses.
- By emulating real-world hacker tactics, we ensure that your systems are robust and resilient.
- Gridware’s unique approach combines proprietary methods with industry best practice standards.
- Our teams are based in Sydney and Melbourne, serving clients across Australia and Internationally.
- We have a proven track record of delivering results that protect organizations from financial loss, reputational damage, and lost time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Penetration Testing Services
Why does my company need to do penetration tests?
Penetration testing is way of demonstrating reasonable efforts made to test the integrity of your business infrastructure and applications. It shows your company has put effort into protecting confidential and sensitive business data to regulators such as ASIC or AUSTRAC. With new legislation passing in Australia, businesses are required to demonstrate they’ve regularly checked their systems are compliant with the industry standards and that checks have been made to ensure there are no vulnerabilities which can be easily utilised by attackers.
We already run vulnerability scans and antivirus, why should we conduct a penetration test?
Regular scans will only check and ‘compare’ to data that is often outdated or no longer applicable with the latest developments in the security industry. You need to ‘do as they do’ and perform tests from the perspective of an attacker with the tools attackers utilise to bypass your defences.
What is a penetration test?
A penetration test (or pen test) is a series of intentional attempts to gain unauthorised access through the use of specialised tools available to attackers and professionals. It is like a stress test for your business systems and applications. It assess the integrity of your business ensuring confidential data is secure, access permissions are appropriate, and that applications are compliant with the latest patches and free from vulnerability of exploits.
How much does penetration testing cost?
All business applications, even when used in the cloud, are subject to vulnerabilities and exploits. It’s only a matter a time before commonly used applications are compromised and then subsequently patched. We need to check that the patch management process is keeping up with the latest developments, and that they are being patched against exploits. The cloud will only act as a host and cannot guarantee the integrity of any application it hosts.
Why should penetration testing be done by a service provider?
Penetration tests should be conducted by an external service provider to ensure there is no bias in the testing, that it is run independently from the business by technical experts who are familiar with the latest developments in exploits and both international and industry standards.
How long does it take to do a penetration test?
In our experience, Penetration testing can take anywhere between 5-15 business days to complete. When less testing is required, or if testing is focused on a single application, systems or process, testing can be completed in 2-3 business days.
What are the types of penetration tests that can be done?
Gridware regularly conducts external penetrations tests, from the perspective of an attacker, internal penetration testing, from the perspective of a rogue employee after restricted information and network and firewall tests to ensure the integrity of your infrastructure. We also recommend running regular penetration testing on Wireless (wifi) networks as well as testing remote social engineering in electronic attacks such as phishing or directed human effort at compromising your systems.
How does penetration testing differ from automated testing?
Penetration testing is more than just automated testing. Unlike automated scanning software that relies on predefined scripts and algorithms, penetration testing involves the expertise and creativity of skilled professionals to uncover vulnerabilities that automated tools may miss. Gridware’s team of highly trained penetration testers stays ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape, utilizing the latest threat intelligence to conduct comprehensive assessments. We believe that talent is irreplaceable when it comes to identifying and addressing potential weaknesses in your systems. With our human-centric approach, Gridware goes beyond the limitations of automated tools to provide you with a thorough and realistic evaluation of your security posture.
Are your penetration testers certified?
Gridware’s penetration testing team possesses top-tier offensive security certifications, demonstrating advanced capability in advanced exploitation, red teaming, and ethical hacking. Our team hold the OSCE³, OSED, OSEP, highlighting our team’s capability in evasive attack techniques and adversary emulation. Our teams also hold OSCP+, OSCP, OSWP, GPEN, GWAPT, and GREM, our experts demonstrate expertise across network, web, and malware reverse engineering disciplines. Additionally, our team holds CREST Penetration Testing and Certified Red Team Professional credentials.
What are the pros and cons of penetration testing?
Pros:
- Real-world assessment: Penetration testing utilises the skills of some of the world’s most highly skilled security professionals.
- Pen testing provides a realistic evaluation of an organisation’s security posture, simulating the techniques and tactics employed by malicious actors at the present time.
- Comprehensive vulnerability identification: Penetration testing helps uncover vulnerabilities and weaknesses that automated tools will miss, providing a more thorough assessment of the security landscape.
- Actionable recommendations: Penetration testers offer specific and actionable recommendations to address identified vulnerabilities, empowering organisations to strengthen their security defenses.
Cons:
- Time and resource-intensive: Penetration testing can be time-consuming and requires skilled professionals, making it a potentially costly investment for organisations.
- Limited scope: Penetration testing typically focuses on a specific target or application (at a point in time), which means it may not provide a holistic view of an organisation’s entire security infrastructure.
- Point in time: A pen test will only show you the security vulnerabilities that can be identified or exploited at the time of testing. Every day, hundreds of new vulnerabilities and CVEs are identified, meaning new ways hackers can exploit your systems.
- Disruption and false positives: In rare cases, Penetration testing can cause temporary disruptions or false positives, potentially impacting normal business operations. However, times of testing is typically covered during the Rules of Engagement phase.
Why invest in penetration testing & what is the ROI value?
Penetration testing is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your business. By simulating real-world attacks, it uncovers vulnerabilities before cybercriminals can exploit them. The ROI comes from avoiding costly breaches, downtime, and regulatory fines, while also protecting brand trust and customer confidence. Investing in proactive pen testing is far cheaper than responding to a security incident.
What role does penetration testing play in cyber security and information security management?
How often should you conduct penetration testing?
How do you select a penetration testing provider?
What are some of the common pitfalls to avoid when hiring a cyber security company?
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