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Exposing weaknesses will allow for your business to be more secure

In the sphere of penetration testing, network services testing is among the most frequently conducted and sought-after types by clients.

This type of test is focused on uncovering the structure of the network, identifying security flaws, and pinpointing weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors. Network services testing can be performed either onsite at the company’s facilities or remotely.

To maximise the protection of sensitive information, it is highly advisable to employ a combination of both approaches.

The primary goal of this testing is to discover security flaws and vulnerabilities in the system before they can be exploited by malevolent parties. By identifying these vulnerabilities early, organisations can take proactive steps to fortify their defences and mitigate potential risks.

Key services checked during penetration testing

The following are some of the key services and devices that are typically examined for vulnerabilities during this type of testing:

Assessing the effectiveness of firewall configurations and rules to ensure they are robust enough to ward off unauthorised access while allowing legitimate traffic.

Evaluating the security measures that protect the network segment that serves as a buffer zone between the public internet and the organisation’s internal network.

Testing these systems to determine how well they can identify and respond to attacks without being bypassed.

Checking VPNs for vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorised access to the network or expose data in transit.

Examining these critical network devices for misconfigurations or firmware vulnerabilities that could let attackers reroute traffic or gain privileged access.

Testing DNS configurations and security to prevent attacks such as DNS spoofing, which can redirect users to malicious sites.

Scanning individual computers within the network to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited, such as outdated software or weak system settings.

Analysing the security of protocols like RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) to ensure they do not provide easy access points for attackers.

Evaluating network-connected printers for vulnerabilities that could be used as entry points into the network or to execute further attacks.

By thoroughly testing these components, organisations can gain a comprehensive view of their network security’s strengths and weaknesses. This insight allows them to make informed decisions about where to allocate resources and how to prioritise security measures to best protect their digital assets and data.