Penetration Test
Find Out What an Attacker Would Find Before the Attacker Does
A penetration test is a structured, human-led simulation of a real-world attack against your environment. Unlike a vulnerability scan, which identifies known weaknesses automatically, a penetration test uses trained professionals to actively attempt to exploit your systems, think creatively around your defenses, and identify the attack paths a real threat actor would use.
The result is a prioritized findings report that tells you not just what vulnerabilities exist, but which ones an attacker could actually chain together to cause real damage, and what to fix first.
CyberWarrior's penetration testing engagements are delivered by certified security professionals. Every engagement is scoped in writing before work begins, and every findings report includes developer-ready or IT-ready remediation guidance, not just a list of CVEs.
Testing Approaches
External Network Penetration Test
Assessment of your internet-facing systems: firewalls, VPNs, email gateways, public-facing servers, and perimeter infrastructure. We attempt to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in your external attack surface the way a remote attacker would. This is the starting point for most organizations and the most common test required for cyber insurance and compliance purposes.
Typical scope: Up to 25 external IP addresses
Starting at $8,500
Internal Network Penetration Test
Assessment of your internal environment, simulating an attacker who has already gained a foothold inside your network, whether through phishing, a compromised credential, or physical access. We assess lateral movement opportunities, privilege escalation paths, and access to sensitive systems and data.
Typical scope: Internal network up to 100 devices
Starting at $12,000
Combined External and Internal
A full-spectrum engagement covering both your perimeter and internal environment. Recommended for businesses preparing for SOC 2, CMMC, or cyber insurance that requires evidence of comprehensive testing.
Starting at $18,000
Testing Methodology
All CyberWarrior penetration tests follow a documented methodology aligned to industry standards:
Reconnaissance
Gathering information about your environment from publicly available sources, DNS records, certificate transparency logs, and other passive intelligence. Understanding what an attacker can learn before they touch your systems.
Enumeration and Scanning
Active discovery of live systems, open ports, running services, and software versions within the defined scope. Identifying the attack surface before attempting exploitation.
Vulnerability Analysis
Mapping discovered services and configurations against known vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and weakness patterns. Distinguishing between theoretical vulnerabilities and those that are actually exploitable in your environment.
Exploitation
Attempting to actively exploit confirmed vulnerabilities to assess real-world impact. This phase is what separates a penetration test from a vulnerability assessment. Testers do not stop at identifying a weakness: they demonstrate what an attacker could do with it.
Post-Exploitation and Lateral Movement
Following successful exploitation, assessing what an attacker could access from that position: additional systems, sensitive data, privileged accounts, or administrative capabilities. This phase reveals the true business impact of a successful attack.
Reporting
A written findings report delivered within 5 business days of testing completion. Includes: executive summary with business impact narrative, technical findings with severity ratings, evidence of exploitation, and specific remediation guidance for each finding.
What's Included in Every Engagement
- Written rules of engagement and scope of work before testing begins
- Pre-engagement call to confirm scope, testing windows, and points of contact
- Active, human-led testing by certified security professionals
- Executive summary suitable for board, leadership, or insurance broker presentation
- Technical findings report with severity ratings (Critical, High, Medium, Low, Informational)
- Evidence of exploitation for all confirmed findings
- Specific remediation guidance for every finding
- One round of retesting for Critical and High findings included at no additional charge
Business Value
- Understand your real-world attack exposure, not just what automated scanners can find
- Satisfy penetration testing requirements for cyber insurance, SOC 2, HIPAA, CMMC, and PCI DSS
- Prioritize your security investments based on actual exploitability, not theoretical risk scores
- Delivered by practitioners with 15 years of cybersecurity experience who understand both the attack and the business context behind the findings
Engagement Details
| Test Type | Starting Price | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| External Network | $8,500 | 1-2 weeks |
| Internal Network | $12,000 | 1-2 weeks |
| Combined External and Internal | $18,000 | 2-3 weeks |
All engagements are fixed-scope and fixed-price. Final pricing is determined during scoping based on the number of assets in scope, environment complexity, and any compliance documentation requirements.
How to Get Started
Scoping Call (45 minutes)
We define the scope of your environment, confirm testing type, and identify any compliance or timeline requirements
Scope Proposal (within 48 hours)
Written rules of engagement and fixed-price proposal
Kickoff
Testing begins within one week of signed agreement and receipt of written authorization
What Happens After
Penetration test findings are most valuable when acted on. For businesses that want to address findings immediately and maintain an ongoing security posture, CyberWarrior's Managed IT and Security service provides continuous monitoring, patch management, and endpoint protection at a predictable monthly cost. Clients who come to managed services from a penetration test engagement skip standard onboarding: we already know your environment and your risk profile.
Explore Managed IT & SecuritySchedule a Discovery Call
All engagements are fixed-scope and fixed-price. Work begins within one week of signed agreement.