Think You’re Secure? Try These 3 Penetration Tests Today

In today’s cyber threat landscape, assuming you’re safe just because you’ve installed antivirus software or updated your firewall is risky. The reality is, unless you’ve tested your systems the way a real hacker would, you’re simply hoping nothing goes wrong. Penetration testing is the practical, offensive way to validate your cybersecurity readiness.

This article explores three crucial penetration tests you can run today to uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do. If you’ve never done one—or haven’t in a while—these tests might just reveal that your so-called "secure" system isn’t as impenetrable as you thought.

Why Penetration Testing Matters More Than Ever

Hackers no longer need to be elite coders to wreak havoc. With automated tools, open-source exploits, and dark web playbooks, even less-skilled attackers can find and exploit common weaknesses. Penetration testing lets you stay one step ahead by actively simulating these attacks in a controlled way.

Instead of relying solely on theory or generic security scans, pen tests mimic real-world scenarios to show how an attacker could break into your systems—be it through misconfigured software, outdated code, or unprotected endpoints.

Test #1: External Network Penetration Test

If your business has a web presence (which, let’s face it, all do), your external network is constantly exposed to threats. This test simulates what a hacker would do when probing your public-facing systems from the internet.

It focuses on:

• Identifying open ports and services that could be entry points

• Testing firewalls and intrusion detection systems

• Spotting misconfigurations or outdated software

• Exploiting weak login credentials or brute-force vulnerabilities

What You Learn:
You’ll uncover whether your external systems (like web servers, VPN gateways, and cloud interfaces) are hardened enough to withstand attacks from the outside world.

Recommended Tools:
Nmap, Metasploit, Nessus, and Burp Suite are widely used to automate much of this process.

Test #2: Internal Network Penetration Test

Now imagine a malicious insider or someone who has gained access through phishing or stolen credentials. Internal network penetration testing assumes that the attacker is already inside your environment—and wants to move laterally.

It focuses on:

• Privilege escalation attempts

• Accessing sensitive files and internal databases

• Pivoting between systems

• Evaluating the effectiveness of segmentation and access controls

What You Learn:
How far an attacker could go once inside your network. This is critical, as many breaches start with one compromised endpoint and spiral into full-blown data theft.

Pro Tip:
Run this test regularly, especially after onboarding new third-party vendors or launching internal apps.

Test #3: Web Application Penetration Test

If your company uses any kind of web application—customer portals, internal dashboards, or SaaS platforms—you’re a target. Web app penetration testing aims to uncover flaws in code logic, authentication, and API integrations.

It focuses on:

• SQL injection

• Cross-site scripting (XSS)

• Cross-site request forgery (CSRF)

• Insecure session handling and broken authentication

• Inadequate API security

What You Learn:
Whether your apps and APIs are secure enough to handle real-world traffic and malicious input, or if they can be manipulated to access unauthorized data or control user accounts.

Don’t Forget:
Even well-coded apps can be vulnerable if security wasn’t part of the development lifecycle. Testing live apps is essential, but scanning your code and configurations during development is equally important.

The Real Cost of Skipping These Tests

Some businesses skip penetration testing due to cost or complexity. But the cost of skipping it can be far worse—think fines, lawsuits, brand damage, and lost customer trust.

One misconfigured S3 bucket, one unpatched CMS plugin, or one set of default credentials could open the door to disaster.

Penetration testing isn’t a one-time fix. It’s part of a culture of proactive security. Ideally, you should test quarterly or after any significant infrastructure change.

What To Do After the Test?

Testing is only half the battle. The real value lies in remediating what’s discovered. Once you’ve identified weaknesses:

• Patch and update outdated systems.

• Tighten access control policies.

• Educate users on phishing and weak passwords.

• Re-test to confirm fixes actually worked.

Many companies also benefit from third-party penetration testing for unbiased insights, especially when preparing for audits or compliance reviews.

Conclusion

You may have strong defenses in place, but until you test them, you’ll never really know how well they’ll hold up under pressure. Penetration testing is like a fire drill for your network—crucial for finding the weak spots before someone else does.

So, are you as secure as you think? Run these three tests today and find out. If you uncover issues (and most businesses do), that’s not failure—it’s the first step toward stronger, smarter cybersecurity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How often should penetration testing be performed?
Ideally, at least once a year or after major infrastructure or code changes. Some industries, like finance or healthcare, may require more frequent testing due to compliance.

2. Can we do penetration testing ourselves, or do we need a third party?
You can run basic tests internally using open-source tools, but for more thorough, unbiased results, hiring certified ethical hackers or a penetration testing firm is highly recommended.

3. What’s the difference between a vulnerability scan and a penetration test?
A vulnerability scan identifies known issues, while a penetration test goes further by attempting to exploit those issues like a real attacker would.

4. Is penetration testing legally safe?
As long as you test your own assets or have proper authorization, penetration testing is legal. Unauthorized testing of systems you don’t own is illegal and unethical.

5. How long does a penetration test take?
Depending on the scope, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Larger environments or detailed testing (like for compliance) often take longer.