Want to take your business protection to the next level with expert Penetration Testing Services designed to harden your systems?
Firewalls and antivirus software are what most businesses use to stay safe, but how do you know those defences will hold up against a determined human attacker in a world where threats change every day? That question is best answered by penetration testing.
Penetration tests evaluate your security by simulating a real-world attack, which helps you see where the real risk is. Microbyte offers thorough penetration testing services to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK and around the world. We will help you meet regulatory requirements and sleep better knowing your systems are safe.
"Microbyte provide us with complete peace of mind by handling all of our IT and telephony requirements. From start to finish their handling of our full system implementation was professional and delivered on time." Justin Wing, Wings Skoda Contact Us
What Is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing is a manual, authorised simulation of a cyberattack against your computer systems. Unlike a criminal, our certified ethical hackers work with your permission to evaluate your security. The goal is to identify exploitable logic flaws and misconfigurations that automated tools simply cannot find. We don’t just tell you there is a vulnerability; we attempt to exploit it. You will see the potential business impact of an attack without the fallout, and know if a hacker could access your financial data or take administrative control.
Don’t Let Terminology Catch You Out: Scan vs. Test
A lot of business owners think they are paying for a penetration test when they are really getting a vulnerability scan, and it’s important to know the difference.
- Vulnerability Scanning: This is automated maintenance, where software scans your IP addresses against a database of known issues. It is quick and broad, and answers the question: “Are my doors closed?”
- Penetration Testing: This is manual assurance, where an expert analyses your specific system logic to try and breach your defences. It is deep and targeted, and answers the question: “Can a professional pick the lock?”
For a deeper look at why this matters for your budget and security, read our guide on the difference between vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.
Why Does Your Business Need This Now?
We understand that navigating compliance frameworks and insurance forms is stressful. However, these regulations are increasingly mandating manual testing:
- GDPR Article 32: You must have a process for regularly testing the effectiveness of your security measures.
- PCI DSS Requirement 11.3: If you handle card data, you must conduct penetration testing at least annually and after any significant infrastructure change.
- Cyber Insurance: Insurers are tightening their rules. Answering “No” to the penetration testing question on your renewal form can lead to higher premiums or even denied coverage.
- Supply Chain Audits: Your larger clients may require a clean test report before they trust you with their contracts.
Many SMEs only discover these security gaps during an audit or after an incident, but penetration testing allows you to identify them on your own terms.
What Types of Testing Do We Offer?
Microbyte offers specific assessments scoped to fit your infrastructure and your specific compliance needs:
External Infrastructure Testing
We will look at your business from the outside, like a hacker would. Our testers will try to get past your web servers, VPN gateways, and perimeter firewalls. We will look for services that are open or encryption that isn't strong enough to keep an attacker out of the public internet.
Internal Infrastructure Testing
What happens if an attacker gets past your firewall, or an employee’s laptop is compromised? We will run this test assuming the threat is already inside to validate your internal vulnerability testing and network segmentation. We will connect to your internal network to see if we can move between systems or escalate our privileges to access your sensitive data.
Web Application Testing
If you use custom-built websites or client portals, you need to check them very carefully. Our testers will look at the logic of your application and compare it to the OWASP Top 10. We will look for serious problems like SQL Injection or Broken Authentication that could put your users' data at risk.
Cloud and Microsoft 365 Security Reviews
Moving to the cloud doesn't mean Microsoft handles everything. Under the Shared Responsibility Model, they secure the physical datacentre, but you must secure the configuration. Our testing will review your specific tenant settings in Azure or M365 and check for insecure Identity and Access Management (IAM) roles and weak MFA policies.
What Does the Testing Process Look Like?
We know engaging a security team can feel daunting, but you can rest assured that we follow a structured four-phase lifecycle to ensure the process is clear and safe for your business.
- Scoping: We define the boundaries of the test together by confirming your IP ranges, assets, and user roles, agreeing testing methods and rules of engagement, and assessing any compliance requirements.
- Execution: Our team will perform the manual assessment, attempting to exploit vulnerabilities to gather evidence of risk.
- Reporting: We will send out two reports: an Executive Summary to show your board the risks of doing business, and a Technical Report to give your IT team step-by-step instructions on how to fix things.
- Remediation & Retesting: We will help you fix the issues and a follow-up retest will verify the fixes have worked, allowing us to issue a clean report.
How Do We Manage Risk During a Test?
We take the safety of your systems seriously, so our professional penetration testing follows a strict framework.
- Written Authorisation: Under the Computer Misuse Act 1990, we require explicit written permission from you before starting.
- Rules of Engagement: We agree on strict boundaries upfront, including testing windows and emergency contacts.
- No Disruption: We explicitly exclude Denial of Service (DoS) attacks to ensure your business keeps running.
- Staging Environments: Where possible, we recommend testing on staging environments so we can be thorough without affecting your live operations.
Why Partner with Microbyte?
Most vendors will provide you with a PDF report and walk away, leaving you with a list of problems to solve. That isn’t our style.
- Find and Fix: We align our testing with our “Stamp Out Support” philosophy, meaning our global SOC and engineering teams will actually assist you with the remediation of findings.
- CREST-Aligned Methodology: Our partners use testers who are CREST-certified, which means that your assessment meets the high standards set by UK regulators.
- Clear Reporting: We will make sure you understand the risk in simple terms, not just technical terms.
- Compliance Focus: We will scope the test specifically to meet your regulatory framework requirements, such as ISO 27001 or Cyber Essentials Plus.
How Much Does a Penetration Test Cost?
The price depends on how large and complicated your environment is, so the number of IP addresses and how complicated your apps are are two things to think about. Qualified UK testers usually charge between £800 and £1,200 per day, so be careful of any quotes that are much lower than this; they are often just automated scans that look like real quotes. Proper manual testing takes time and skilled workers, but it gives you results you can trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does a penetration test take?
A standard SME engagement often lasts between 3 and 5 days, depending on the scope. More complex environments may take longer. - Will the test disrupt my business? We operate under strict rules to minimise risk and we do not run disruptive attacks. If necessary, essential tests can also be scheduled out of hours.
- How often should we test? Industry standards recommend annual testing and you should also test after any significant change to your infrastructure.
Conclusion
Penetration testing is the only way to confirm whether your controls prevent unauthorised access under real attack conditions. It moves your security from “hope” to “assurance.” Microbyte provides the technical capability to not only find these vulnerabilities but to fix them, ensuring your business remains compliant and secure.
Take the Next Step
Don’t wait for a breach to test your defences. Speak to Microbyte today to scope a penetration test that fits your infrastructure and compliance requirements.