Penetration testing (pen testing) has become a crucial part of any organisation’s cybersecurity strategy. In today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, pen testing helps organisations identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. However, a key challenge many organisations face is determining which assets to prioritise during testing. Without a clear strategy, efforts may be misdirected, and critical exposures could go untested. To guide this process, there are several proven approaches that organisations can adopt.
A risk-based approach identifies critical assets based on their importance to the business and the level of risk they pose if compromised. By focusing testing efforts on high-risk systems, organisations can prioritise protection where it matters most. A compliance-driven approach, on the other hand, selects assets based on regulatory or industry requirements. For instance, organisations handling payment card information are required to test the security of relevant systems to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
Another option is the business-driven approach, which focuses on assets that directly support essential business operations. For example, an e-commerce business may prioritise testing its customer-facing web application, as any compromise could result in lost revenue and reputational damage. The attack surface-driven approach takes a technical view by prioritising assets with the most exposure to potential attacks. These may include internet-facing endpoints, servers, or IoT devices, which offer attackers more entry points. Focusing pen testing on these areas helps organisations reduce exposure across their most vulnerable surfaces.
A fifth method, the historical breach analysis approach, uses insights from past incidents to inform future testing. By reviewing breaches or attempted attacks, organisations can identify which systems have previously been targeted and may be vulnerable again. This data-driven method ensures testing is focused on assets with known exposure patterns, improving the relevance and effectiveness of testing efforts.
At our organisation, we follow a globally recognised penetration testing methodology that ensures our assessments are consistent, thorough, and actionable. The process begins with scoping, where we work closely with our clients to understand their environment, business goals, and risk appetite. We then conduct reconnaissance to gather intelligence and identify potential entry points. From there, we move into vulnerability identification, using both automated and manual techniques to detect potential weaknesses in the environment. The exploitation phase follows, where we safely test whether the identified vulnerabilities can be used to gain access or escalate privileges.
After exploitation, we carry out post-exploitation analysis to assess the potential impact of an attack, such as data exfiltration or lateral movement within the network. Finally, we deliver a comprehensive reporting and presentation phase. Our deliverables include an executive summary tailored for business leaders, a technical findings report with reproduction steps and supporting evidence, risk ratings based on impact and likelihood, and clear, practical remediation guidance. We also offer optional retesting services to confirm that issues have been resolved, providing peace of mind and assurance to clients, stakeholders, or regulators.
We serve a wide range of industries including banking, retail, technology, healthcare, fintech, and insurance, and tailor each engagement to the specific needs of the sector and organisation.
In summary, penetration testing is not just a technical exercise—it’s a strategic tool that helps organisations stay ahead of threats, protect sensitive data, and build trust with customers and regulators. By selecting the right testing approach and partnering with a provider that delivers structured methodology, actionable insights, and industry experience, businesses can significantly improve their security posture and operational resilience.
Andre Beley
Business Development Director