Network Penetration Testing
Servers, routers, firewalls — the actual infrastructure holding everything up. We look for the stuff that usually causes breaches: a port left open nobody remembers, a firewall rule looser than intended, a service nobody got around to patching.
Network penetration testing, defined
Network penetration testing is continuous perimeter scanning and internal network mapping to identify open ports, outdated services, and misconfigured firewalls before they get exploited. Unlike a web app, there's no dedicated "OWASP Top 10" for network infrastructure — we test against PTES phases and CIS Controls instead.
These are boring problems with expensive consequences: an exposed management port, a default credential nobody rotated, a firewall rule that's broader than the change ticket said it would be.
What we test
- Perimeter exposure — every port and service actually reachable from outside, not just what's documented
- Internal segmentation — whether lateral movement between network zones is actually blocked as designed
- Outdated and unpatched services — software versions with known, exploitable vulnerabilities
- Misconfigured firewalls and access control lists — rules broader than intended, forgotten exceptions
- Management-plane exposure — administrative interfaces reachable from segments they shouldn't be
Tested against PTES phases & CIS Controls v8
No dedicated OWASP Top 10 exists for network infrastructure — PTES and CIS Controls are the recognized frameworks we test against here.
How ComplyArmor runs network penetration testing
Continuous perimeter scanning combined with internal network mapping — findings like an exposed management port are manually verified for real reachability and impact, not just flagged as "port open." Delivered as Smart PTaaS — continuous rather than a one-off engagement — and following our testing methodology: discover, scan, exploit, validate. Every finding maps to your compliance requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is network penetration testing?
Continuous scanning of your perimeter and internal network to identify open ports, outdated services, and misconfigured firewalls — verified for real exploitability, not just reported as detected.
What framework does network penetration testing follow?
PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard) phases and CIS Controls v8 — there's no dedicated OWASP Top 10 for network infrastructure, so these are the recognized frameworks for this surface.
Does network penetration testing cover internal segmentation?
Yes — verifying that lateral movement between network zones is actually blocked as designed is one of the most valuable parts of network testing, since a compromised low-value asset shouldn't be a path to your crown jewels.
How often should network penetration testing be done?
Continuously, not annually — a new firewall rule, a forgotten exception, or an unpatched service can open exposure the same week it happens, and a point-in-time test only catches it up to a year later.