Penetration testing (pen testing) remains one of the most critical components of a strong cybersecurity strategy. According to a 2024 IBM report, 83% of organizations experienced more than one data breach in the last 12 months. Another study by Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that cybercrime will cost businesses over $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. With threats becoming more advanced, partnering with an experienced IT consultant company for penetration testing is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
This guide walks you through how to conduct a proper penetration test with IT experts. It explains the steps, tools, methodologies, and industry practices, with real-world examples and practical insights.
What Is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing is a controlled, ethical hacking process that simulates cyberattacks to find vulnerabilities in systems, applications, or networks. The goal is to exploit weaknesses before malicious actors do.
A reputable IT consultant company often offers pen testing as part of broader cybersecurity or risk assessment services.
Why Partner with IT Experts for Penetration Testing?
While in-house teams may conduct limited vulnerability scans, external experts bring an objective and comprehensive view. Here’s why IT consultants are essential:
- Up-to-date expertise: Cybersecurity evolves rapidly. Consultants stay informed about zero-day exploits and emerging tactics.
- Unbiased assessment: External teams don’t suffer from internal blind spots or conflicts of interest.
- Tool access: They use enterprise-grade tools that are often too costly for small organizations.
- Regulatory alignment: Consultants ensure that testing aligns with frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS.
Types of Penetration Testing
Pen testing varies based on scope, target, and methodology. Below are the main categories:
| Type | Focus Area | Example Use Case |
| Network Testing | Internal/external network | Testing firewalls, VPNs, routers |
| Web Application | Websites and web apps | Testing SQL injection, XSS vulnerabilities |
| Wireless Testing | Wi-Fi networks | Rogue access points, WPA2 flaws |
| Social Engineering | Human error and awareness | Phishing email simulation |
| Physical Testing | Physical access controls | Breaking into secured facilities |
| Cloud Testing | Cloud-hosted infrastructure | Misconfigured S3 buckets, IAM policies |
Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting a Penetration Test with IT Experts
1. Define the Objectives and Scope
Every effective pen test begins with a clear understanding of goals and boundaries.
Objectives Might Include:
- Identifying critical vulnerabilities
- Assessing data protection capabilities
- Validating current security controls
- Testing incident detection and response mechanisms
Key Scope Considerations:
- Systems to be tested (e.g., servers, applications, APIs)
- Rules of engagement (what is off-limits?)
- Time and resource constraints
- Compliance requirements (HIPAA, GDPR, etc.)
Example: An e-commerce company may choose to test only its payment processing system and customer database, excluding its marketing site.
2. Choose the Right IT Consultant Company
Selecting the right partner influences the quality of insights and outcomes.
Factors to Consider:
- Certifications (e.g., OSCP, CEH, CISSP)
- Industry experience and portfolio
- Familiarity with your tech stack
- Tools and frameworks used
- Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
Tip: Ask for previous reports (sanitized) to understand the depth and clarity of their testing methodology.
3. Information Gathering (Reconnaissance)
This phase involves collecting as much data as possible without directly interacting with the target system.
Common Techniques:
- DNS and WHOIS lookups
- Identifying subdomains
- Analyzing metadata in documents
- Searching public repositories (e.g., GitHub, Pastebin)
Real-world example: A tester finds AWS credentials accidentally exposed in a public GitHub repo belonging to the client.
4. Scanning and Enumeration
IT consultants use automated tools and scripts to identify open ports, services, and potential entry points.
Tools Often Used:
- Nmap: For network scanning
- Nikto: For web server vulnerabilities
- Shodan: To find devices exposed on the internet
- Netcat: For port scanning and testing connections
Common Outcomes:
- List of services running on target systems
- OS fingerprinting
- Version information for software components
5. Gaining Access (Exploitation)
In this phase, consultants attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to gain access.
Examples of Exploits:
- Using SQL injection to bypass login forms
- Exploiting outdated Apache servers via CVE
- Brute-forcing SSH credentials
- Leveraging misconfigured cloud IAM policies
Important: Consultants document each exploit attempt, its success, and the depth of access achieved.
6. Maintaining Access (Privilege Escalation)
After initial access, experts attempt to elevate privileges to mimic advanced persistent threats (APTs).
Techniques:
- Pass-the-Hash attacks in Windows environments
- Exploiting kernel vulnerabilities
- Adding new admin accounts for persistence
- Escalating from a user to root privileges
Example: In a compromised Linux server, an IT consultant exploits a known SUID binary flaw to gain root access.
7. Covering Tracks (Optional for Testing)
Some consultants test the effectiveness of logging and monitoring systems by hiding their activities.
Actions Include:
- Clearing command histories
- Disabling security tools (e.g., antivirus)
- Modifying log entries
This step tests the detection capability of your Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools.
8. Reporting and Remediation Recommendations
After testing, the consulting team prepares a detailed report highlighting:
- Findings: Each vulnerability ranked by severity (CVSS scores)
- Proof of Concept: Screenshots or logs showing exploit success
- Impact Analysis: What could have gone wrong if exploited
- Remediation Steps: How to fix each issue
- Timeline for Fixes: Prioritized according to risk
Example Table in Report:
| Vulnerability | Severity | Description | Recommendation |
| SQL Injection | High | Found in login.php | Use parameterized queries |
| Weak Password Policy | Medium | Passwords <8 characters | Enforce complexity requirements |
| Open Port 3306 | Low | MySQL port exposed publicly | Restrict access to internal network |
Best Practices When Working with IT Consultants
- Always sign an NDA: Confidentiality is essential.
- Use staging environments: If testing production, monitor closely.
- Alert stakeholders: Avoid panic if alerts trigger during tests.
- Time the test: Avoid peak hours to reduce operational risk.
- Follow up: Retesting after remediation is a must.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping planning and scope documentation
- Not involving internal IT/security teams
- Underestimating post-test patching workload
- Over-relying on automated tools without expert validation
- Ignoring low-risk issues that can chain into bigger attacks
Penetration Testing and Compliance
Many regulatory frameworks mandate or recommend regular pen testing. A capable IT consultant company ensures compliance through proper documentation and industry-aligned testing methods.
| Framework | Pen Test Requirement |
| PCI DSS | Annual and after changes |
| HIPAA | Risk assessments required |
| ISO 27001 | Security controls validated |
| SOC 2 | Regular vulnerability testing |
Penetration Testing Frequency
| Company Type | Recommended Frequency |
| Large Enterprise | Quarterly or Bi-Annual |
| Mid-Sized Business | Annually |
| SaaS Startups | After each release |
| Regulated Industries | As per compliance law |
Conclusion
Penetration testing, when done properly with a trusted IT consultant company, uncovers hidden threats and strengthens your overall security posture. From scoping to reporting, every phase requires precision, expertise, and ethical diligence.
A well-executed pen test not only exposes gaps but also builds trust with clients, regulators, and stakeholders. As cyber threats grow, proactive testing ensures your defenses remain ahead of the attackers.