Network Penetration Testing
Uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do.
Network Penetration Testing (Network Pentesting) is a controlled, simulated cyberattack performed by security professionals to evaluate the strength of your organisation’s network infrastructure.
It helps identify vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and exploitable weaknesses before they can be leveraged by malicious actors — ensuring your systems are secure, compliant, and resilient.
At TotalCert Consulting, we perform comprehensive internal and external network penetration tests to assess your organisation’s exposure across all critical assets, providing actionable remediation guidance and measurable improvements.
What is Network Penetration Testing?
Network Penetration Testing simulates real-world attacks against your internal and external network environments such as firewalls, routers, servers, and wireless systems to identify potential entry points for attackers.
This proactive testing approach helps verify how effectively your network security controls detect, prevent, and respond to threats.
Testing can include:
-
External Network Testing – Simulates attacks from outside your organisation’s perimeter (internet-facing systems).
-
Internal Network Testing – Simulates threats from within, such as compromised endpoints or insider threats.
-
Wireless Security Testing – Examines Wi-Fi networks, access points, and encryption strength.
-
Firewall and Configuration Review – Identifies misconfigurations and insecure rule sets.
Key Objectives
Network Penetration Testing simulates real-world attacks against your internal and external network environments such as firewalls, routers, servers, and wireless systems to identify potential entry points for attackers.
This proactive testing approach helps verify how effectively your network security controls detect, prevent, and respond to threats.
Testing can include:
-
External Network Testing – Simulates attacks from outside your organisation’s perimeter (internet-facing systems).
-
Internal Network Testing – Simulates threats from within, such as compromised endpoints or insider threats.
-
Wireless Security Testing – Examines Wi-Fi networks, access points, and encryption strength.
-
Firewall and Configuration Review – Identifies misconfigurations and insecure rule sets.
Our Process
1. Scoping & Planning
-
Define the test boundaries, assets, and testing methods aligned with your organisation’s objectives and risk appetite.
2. Reconnaissance & Discovery
-
Gather intelligence about your network infrastructure to identify potential attack vectors.
3. Vulnerability Assessment
-
Use automated and manual methods to detect misconfigurations, outdated software, and exploitable vulnerabilities.
4. Exploitation & Validation
-
Safely exploit identified weaknesses to demonstrate real-world impact without disrupting operations.
5. Reporting & Remediation Guidance
-
Deliver a detailed, prioritised report outlining vulnerabilities, evidence, impact, and step-by-step remediation actions.
6. Re-Testing & Continuous Validation
-
Verify that all remediations are implemented effectively to ensure continued network resilience.
Project Timeline
Testing timelines vary based on scope and network size, but generally range from 1 to 4 weeks, including assessment, exploitation, reporting, and re-testing.