Penetration testing

The most effective information security assessment

Penetration testing (pentest) is a security assessment of IT systems, personnel or the whole organisation, using ethical hacking methods (“white hat”). Pentest services provided by H-X Technologies ensure the security of your systems and processes, as well as pointing out the weakest points in defence systems against attacks.

  • Releasing a new version of your website, mobile or desktop application?
  • Migrating a server or publishing a service?
  • Have you fired a software developer or system administrator?
  • Preparing for an audit, M&A, IPO, ICO?
  • Have you been overlooking how securely your employees work?
  • Are you unsure if your specialists measure your security correctly and in a timely fashion?
  • Have you never carried out penetration testing (pentest)?

You are in the right place at the right time!

Why exactly penetration testing and what is it?

A pentest is your go-to solution for ensuring your application and IT infrastructure security. This is an important feature to have, — for different reasons:

  1. you can have peace of mind for the future without worrying about cyberattacks;
  2. you do not need to hold the truth back from your clients or evade auditors anymore;
  3. you get a new respectable status — successfully passed pentest;
  4. this will help you find and fix vulnerabilities in your product or network before cybercriminals do it;
  5. in the eternal struggle of good and evil, you are winning a new powerful victory over the world of cybercrime, while also protecting your company’s and its customers’ sensitive data.

Request the penetration test price for your project or the whole company, and we will help you build more secure solutions for your digital infrastructure.

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Interested? Then dig deeper! Here is a more detailed definition:

Penetration testing (pentest, pen-test, pen test) is a security assessment of IT systems, personnel or the whole organisation, using ethical hacking methods (“white hat”).

Security experts simulate the behaviour of computer criminals to assess whether unauthorised access, leakage of confidential information, interruption of service, physical intrusion, or other security incidents are possible.

Pentest is not only an automated vulnerability scan, but also manual work and a lot of it. Depending on your preferences, the pentest may include interaction with your staff (social engineering). A pentest of a website, application, network, or organisation gives the most reliable, specific, and effective recommendations for improving security.

Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) is the most effective combination of automated and manual security assessment. Vulnerability assessment is a faster and cheaper process that is performed frequently. Penetration testing includes vulnerability assessment and, in addition, many deeper and longer tests.

VAPT Options

Free scan Free scan
Automated black-box website security assessment. Prompt result. Different scan modes, depth, and quality. Limited involvement of our team. Choose free-of-charge on-demand testing or cheap subscription to 24/7 monitoring. Try it for free.
Licensed scan Vulnerability scan
Manual vulnerability scanning of websites and networks with Acunetix, BurpSuite Pro, Qualys, Nexpose, OpenVAS, OWASP ZAP, etc. Limited reporting: the summary and raw scanner reports. The minimum order includes a simple website or service (up to 20 pages and 2 forms), or 16 IP addresses, takes 2 to 3 days and is $15 per IP address for the networks or $180 per website or service. Request.
Pentest and Red Team Pentest and Red Team
Manual and automated security assessment of websites, networks, applications, etc. Optional DoS/DDoS, social engineering tests, Red Team, reverse engineering, zero-day research, security review of source code of applications, API pentests, security assessment of supply chain (delivery chain pentest). Risk assessment, remediation recommendations, and reporting. Vulnerability mitigation assistance and retest after mitigation. Express Pentest is from $150 per IP address or $1500 per simple website or service (up to 20 pages and 2 forms). Request.

Methods and techniques

We use modern security standards, methodologies, and regulations: NIST SP 800-115, Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), OWASP Web Security Testing Guide (WSTG), OWASP Mobile Application Security Testing Guide (MSTG), OWASP Firmware Security Testing Methodology, Information System Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF), British Standards Institution (BSI) Methodology of Information Systems Security Penetration Testing (PETA), Penetration Testing Framework (PTF), A guide for running an effective Penetration Testing programme (CREST), PCI DSS, ISO 18045, OSSTMM, CAPEC, Offensive Security, EC-Council, SANS, CWE. We also use our own methods, which we have been constantly updating since 2000. Our pentesters have personal international certificates (CISSP, OSCP, CEH, CLPTP) and strictly adhere to laws, regulations, and Code of Ethics.

 

Learn more about the penetration testing options, workflow, and deliverables.

High qualifications, flexibility and reliability are our main selling points:

We have wide, deep and unique experience and competence in IT and corporate security. Both in GRC (Governance, Risk management, and Compliance), and in technical security. Both in Defensive Security and Offensive Security.

Learn more about our features.

Service summary

⏳ Duration of project In average, 3 to 4 weeks or more. Highly depends on the requirements, scope and complexity of the project.
🎁 Can it be free or have a testing period? Use free vulnerability scanners, e.g. https://service.h-x.technology/scan and get a free consultation.
💼 What type of business needs it? Financial institutions, healthcare organizations, retail and e-commerce, government agencies, technology companies, etc.
💡 When is this service needed? When you have a regulator’s or customers’ requirements, security audits, major changes, new threats, recovered from a security incident, etc.
📈 Your profit Reduced risk of data breaches or other security incidents, which can have high costs.
⚙️ Our methods and tools Vulnerability scanners, password crackers, social engineering techniques, sniffers, fuzzers, reverse engineering, CVE, CWE, PTES, WSTG, BSI, etc.
📑 Deliverables Report including an executive summary, methodology, findings, evidence, recommendations, and appendices.

Check out our additional services and business cases. We take pride in providing high-quality cybersecurity services including penetration testing. Send the form below to request a penetration test or to get a free consultation.

REQUEST A QUOTE

FAQ

Penetration testing, also known as pen testing or ethical hacking, is a process of assessing the security of a computer system, network or web application by simulating an attack from a malicious hacker.

The goal of penetration testing is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the system before they can be exploited by actual attackers. The testing process involves a series of steps such as reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and post-exploitation to test the security posture of the target system.

Penetration testing can be conducted manually or using automated tools and techniques. The results of the testing are documented in a report that includes recommendations for remediation of identified vulnerabilities.

Penetration testing is an essential component of a comprehensive security program and helps organizations to identify and mitigate security risks before they can be exploited by attackers.

The primary purpose of penetration testing is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in a computer system, network or web application before they can be exploited by actual attackers. Once vulnerabilities are identified, the pen tester will work with the organization to develop a plan to address them, which may include implementing new security controls or patching existing vulnerabilities. By conducting regular pen tests, organizations can ensure that their systems remain secure and that their data remains protected against potential threats.

Penetration testing is important because it helps identify vulnerabilities in a system or network that can be exploited by attackers. By simulating an attack, organizations can better understand their security posture and take steps to address weaknesses before they are exploited by malicious actors. Penetration testing also helps organizations comply with industry regulations and standards, such as PCI DSS and HIPAA, which require regular testing of security controls. Additionally, penetration testing can help organizations prioritize their security investments by identifying the most critical vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. Overall, penetration testing is a critical component of any comprehensive security program and can help organizations stay ahead of evolving threats.

A red team operation could potentially cause damage or disruption if not properly planned and executed. The goal of a red team operation is to simulate a real-world attack, which means the red team may attempt to exploit vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the organization's security infrastructure. If the red team is not careful, their actions could inadvertently cause damage or disruption to the organization's systems or operations. This is why it is important for red team operations to be carefully planned and executed with the organization's goals and objectives in mind.

  1. Preparation: Develop an incident response plan and ensure that all relevant personnel are trained on it.
  2. Identification: Detect and confirm the incident by monitoring network traffic, logs, and other indicators of compromise.
  3. Containment: Isolate the affected systems or networks to prevent further damage or spread of the incident.
  4. Analysis: Gather and analyze evidence to determine the scope and nature of the incident.
  5. Eradication: Remove the source of the incident and all associated malware or malicious code.
  6. Recovery: Restore systems and data to their pre-incident state or a new, secure state.
  7. Post-incident activities: Conduct a post-incident review to identify lessons learned, update incident response plans, and make any necessary improvements to security controls.
  1. Identify and contain the incident: The first step is to identify the incident and isolate it from the rest of the network. This can involve disconnecting affected systems or disabling network services.
  2. Assess the impact: The next step is to assess the scope and impact of the incident. This involves gathering information about the type of incident, the affected systems, and the potential damage.
  3. Notify stakeholders: It's important to notify stakeholders, including management, IT staff, and potentially affected customers or clients, about the incident.
  4. Investigate the incident: Once the incident has been contained and the impact assessed, an investigation should be conducted to determine the cause of the incident and to identify any vulnerabilities that may have been exploited.
  5. Remediate the incident: Based on the findings of the investigation, remediation steps should be taken to address any vulnerabilities and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
  6. Review and improve: After the incident has been resolved, it's important to review the incident response process and identify areas for improvement. This may involve updating policies and procedures, enhancing security controls, or providing additional training to staff.

The cost of penetration testing can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size and complexity of the system or network being tested, the type of testing being conducted (e.g. black box, white box, gray box), the level of expertise of the testers, and the scope of the testing.

On average, a basic penetration testing engagement can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, while more comprehensive testing can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more.

It's important to note that while the cost of penetration testing may seem high, it is a necessary investment in ensuring the security of an organization's systems and data. The cost of a breach or cyber attack can far outweigh the cost of regular penetration testing, making it a worthwhile expense in the long run. Additionally, some organizations may be able to negotiate pricing with their chosen penetration testing provider based on their specific needs and budget.

Business cases of projects we completed

Audit of smart contracts and blockchain
Business Automation
Information security incident response and investigation
Managed security and compliance (ISO 27001, etc.)
Security analysis of software source code
Security assessment: audits and penetration tests
Security Operations Center cases