Penetration Testing
Identify vulnerabilities before attackers do
Professional penetration testing and vulnerability assessments that simulate real-world attacks. Find security gaps, get actionable remediation reports, and demonstrate SOC 2 compliance.
What our penetration testing includes
Network Penetration Testing
Simulated attacks on your network perimeter, firewalls, and internal systems to identify exploitable vulnerabilities.
Application Security Testing
Deep analysis of custom and third-party applications for code vulnerabilities, injection flaws, and authentication bypasses.
Social Engineering Assessment
Test employee awareness through phishing simulations and pretexting to identify human-layer vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Scanning & Enumeration
Comprehensive inventory of all systems, open ports, services, and known CVEs with severity ratings.
Web Application Testing
OWASP Top 10 and beyond — test for XSS, SQL injection, broken authentication, and insecure configurations.
Post-Test Reporting & Remediation
Detailed executive summary, technical findings with proof-of-concept, and step-by-step remediation guidance.
Types of penetration tests
Black Box Testing
No prior knowledge. Our testers approach your environment like an external attacker — finding entry points, lateral movement paths, and data exfiltration opportunities.
- Network perimeter attack
- Finding unpatched systems
- Credential harvesting
- Privilege escalation
White Box Testing
Full transparency. You provide system architecture, credentials, and documentation. Testers focus on deep application logic, backend vulnerabilities, and configuration flaws.
- Source code review
- API security testing
- Database access paths
- Configuration audits
Gray Box Testing
Hybrid approach. Partial knowledge (e.g., internal network access, employee credentials). Simulates compromised insider or persistent threat.
- Post-breach lateral movement
- Insider threat simulation
- Privilege abuse scenarios
Red Team Exercises
Full-scope, multi-week engagements simulating sophisticated adversaries. Tests not just technical controls but people, processes, and incident response.
- Multi-vector attacks
- Sustained presence over time
- Exfiltration attempts
- Detection & response testing
Think Like
A Hacker
Compliance-Ready Testing
Penetration testing that meets SOC 2 and regulatory requirements
Penetration testing is more than finding vulnerabilities — it's proving your security controls work. Our vPenTest platform delivers expert-level analysis (equivalent to eCPPT, OSCP, and OSCE consultant capabilities) with comprehensive reporting that satisfies SOC 2 Type II auditors, regulators, and compliance frameworks.
Why Aegisys for penetration testing
Certified, ethical testing
Our vPenTest platform delivers penetration testing equivalent to eCPPT, OSCP, and OSCE certified consultant-level analysis. Every test is scoped, authorized, and documented with full ethical compliance and industry best practices.
SOC 2 Type II aligned
Penetration testing is a key SOC 2 compliance requirement. Our reports provide the audit trail and evidence your auditors expect.
Actionable remediation
We don't just find vulnerabilities — we explain how to fix them. Reports include step-by-step remediation, risk prioritization, and resource estimates.
Proven methodology
Our testing follows industry standards: NIST, OWASP, and PTES. Results are comparable to enterprise-grade assessments at MSP pricing.
Ongoing partnership
Penetration testing isn't a one-time checkbox. We recommend re-testing after major changes, annual verification, and continuous monitoring.
Canadian expertise
25+ years protecting Canadian organizations. We understand PIPEDA, healthcare regulations, and government security requirements.
Penetration testing vs. vulnerability scanning
| Aspect | Vulnerability Scanning | Penetration Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Automated scan for known CVEs | Manual testing, logic flaws, chaining attacks |
| Effort | Hours (automated) | Days to weeks (expert team) |
| Proof of Exploit | Identifies vulnerability (not proven) | Demonstrates real-world impact |
| False Positives | High (many non-exploitable) | Low (verified by human tester) |
| Logic Flaws | Not detected | Identified through manual analysis |
| Best For | Continuous baseline monitoring | Compliance, audit, risk assessment |
Pro tip: Most organizations benefit from both. Use vulnerability scanning for continuous monitoring, and penetration testing annually or after major changes.
Our penetration testing process
Scoping & Authorization
Define test boundaries, systems in scope, attack vectors, and rules of engagement. Obtain written authorization before any testing begins.
Reconnaissance
Gather information about your systems, networks, and applications. Identify entry points, technologies in use, and potential attack paths.
Scanning & Enumeration
Active probing to discover open ports, services, and systems. Identify known CVEs and misconfigurations.
Exploitation & Validation
Attempt to exploit discovered vulnerabilities. Prove impact through proof-of-concept (POC) demonstrations.
Post-Exploitation
If initial access is gained, test lateral movement, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms.
Reporting & Remediation
Comprehensive report with executive summary, technical findings, risk ratings, and step-by-step remediation guidance.
Trusted security accreditations
Penetration testing FAQs
Will penetration testing disrupt our systems?
No. We test within agreed-upon boundaries and never intentionally crash systems or corrupt data. We work with you to schedule testing during maintenance windows if needed. All actions are documented and reversible.
How often should we conduct penetration tests?
At minimum annually for compliance. More frequent testing (quarterly or semi-annual) is recommended if you have critical systems, handle sensitive data, or operate in regulated industries. Always test after major infrastructure changes.
What's the difference between penetration testing and vulnerability assessment?
Vulnerability assessment finds potential weaknesses (automated scan). Penetration testing proves those weaknesses are exploitable and demonstrates real-world impact. Pen testing requires expert judgment and typically takes longer.
Is penetration testing required for SOC 2 compliance?
Yes. SOC 2 Type II audits require evidence of vulnerability assessment and penetration testing as part of your security controls. Our reports provide the documentation auditors need.
What happens if a critical vulnerability is found?
We document it immediately and notify you. Depending on severity, we may recommend emergency patching before testing completes. Our report includes detailed remediation steps and timelines.
Can we see the test results in real-time?
For larger engagements, we provide weekly briefings. Final results are delivered in a comprehensive written report with executive summary, technical findings, and remediation guidance.
Ready to find your vulnerabilities before attackers do?
Schedule a penetration testing assessment. We’ll identify gaps, provide remediation guidance, and help you meet SOC 2 compliance requirements.