Penetration Testing for UK Small and Medium Businesses

We offer external penetration testing of your internet-facing systems, internal testing that simulates an attacker inside your network, web application testing against the OWASP Top 10, and social engineering assessments including simulated phishing. Each test type addresses different risk scenarios, and we recommend the right combination based on your infrastructure and threat profile. With 22% of breaches involving compromised credentials as the initial vector (Verizon DBIR 2025), internal testing is particularly valuable.

We recommend annual penetration testing at minimum, with additional tests after significant infrastructure changes such as new applications, office moves, or cloud migrations. Many compliance frameworks and cyber insurance policies require annual testing. Regular testing ensures newly introduced vulnerabilities are identified promptly. Given that the median ransomware demand reached £4.3 million in 2025 (Sophos), the cost of annual pen testing is negligible compared to the potential impact of an exploited vulnerability.

Our report includes an executive summary for leadership, detailed technical findings with risk ratings based on CVSS scoring, evidence of exploitation such as screenshots and data accessed, and specific remediation guidance for each vulnerability. Findings are prioritised by severity so your team can address the most critical issues first. We also provide a follow-up retest to verify that remediation has been successfully completed.

CREST accreditation confirms that our penetration testers meet rigorous competency standards set by an independent professional body. CREST-certified testers must pass demanding examinations and adhere to a strict code of conduct. Many UK organisations, insurers, and regulators specifically require CREST-accredited testing to ensure findings are reliable. Cyber Essentials certified organisations are 92% less likely to claim on cyber insurance (IASME), and pen testing supports that certification process.

We design every engagement to minimise operational impact. Testing scope, timing, and rules of engagement are agreed in advance with your team. Potentially disruptive tests such as denial-of-service simulations are only conducted with explicit approval and during agreed maintenance windows. Standard external and internal testing does not cause downtime. With 43% of UK businesses experiencing a breach in the past year (DSIT 2025), the brief assessment period is far less disruptive than an actual attack.