How secure is your network, really?
Your network connects almost everything your organisation runs on: systems, applications, users, devices, and services. That also means one weakness in it can give an attacker a way in, and a way to move further once they’re inside.
We find those weaknesses before someone else does. At Sunvak Boreal, we test your network the way an attacker would, within a scope we agree on together. We look for exposed services, weak configurations, access control problems, outdated systems, and authentication gaps.
We don’t just hand you a list of vulnerabilities. We help your team work out which ones matter, how they could affect your environment, and what to do about them.
Want to know how secure your network really is? Talk to Sunvak Boreal about what you need tested.
What is network penetration testing?
It’s a controlled security test of your network infrastructure. Depending on the scope, that can include externally exposed systems, internal networks, network services, devices, and servers.
The point is to find out whether a weakness could actually be used to:
- Gain unauthorised access
- Reach restricted services
- Compromise systems
- Get hold of sensitive information
- Move from one system to another
- Bypass security controls
- Gain higher levels of access
- Take advantage of insecure configurations
We do it carefully, so there’s as little disruption to your business as possible.
Why it’s worth doing
Your network touches everything: employees, servers, applications, cloud environments, databases, and security systems. As your infrastructure grows, weaknesses get harder to spot on your own.
Testing shows you where you stand. You’ll see which services are exposed, how your firewall rules and segmentation are holding up, where access controls are weak, and which systems are outdated or vulnerable. You’ll also see how an attacker might move through your environment, so you can fix the riskiest problems first.
What we test
External networks. Anything reachable from outside your organisation can be targeted. We test your agreed public-facing infrastructure to find exposed services and possible entry points.
Internal networks. What if an attacker, a compromised account, or an unauthorised user is already inside? We look at segmentation, access controls, exposed services, system vulnerabilities, and possible paths between systems to show how far they could get.
Network infrastructure. That means routers, switches, firewalls, servers, security appliances, and other connected systems. We look for weaknesses, insecure configurations, and unnecessary exposure.
Firewalls. Firewalls control what gets in and out. We check whether your rules and configurations are really blocking unauthorised access within the agreed scope.
Network segmentation. Good segmentation limits how far an attacker can travel after breaking into one part of your environment. We check whether your boundaries and access controls work as intended, and whether systems that should be kept apart can still talk to each other.
Wireless networks. Where it’s in scope, we assess wireless security controls, authentication, configurations, and potential weaknesses.
Remote access. Remote access lets your people connect to company resources from anywhere. We look at authentication, configuration, access control, and other weaknesses in those services.
How we work
1. Scope and planning. We start by learning about your network, your goals, your infrastructure, and your concerns. Then we agree what’s in scope: which IP addresses, systems, network segments, devices, services, and environments.
2. Network discovery. We identify the systems, services, ports, protocols, and potential attack surfaces within scope, so we have a clear picture of your environment.
3. Vulnerability identification. Using suitable technical methods, we look for weaknesses, including known vulnerabilities and configuration problems.
4. Controlled exploitation and validation. Where it’s appropriate and within the agreed rules of engagement, we validate findings to see whether they can be exploited and what the impact could be. We work carefully to avoid unnecessary disruption.
5. Risk prioritisation. Not every vulnerability carries the same risk. We weigh how easy it is to exploit, the potential impact, which systems are affected, how exposed they are, and the environment around them.
6. Reporting. For each issue, the report explains what we found, where it is, why it matters, the potential impact, the technical details, and how to fix it.
7. Fixes and retesting. Once you’ve made changes, we can test again to confirm the issues are resolved, so you know the fixes are working.
What we test for
Depending on your environment and scope, that can include exposed network services, weak authentication, weak access controls, insecure configurations, outdated software, vulnerable network services, firewall weaknesses, segmentation issues, and unnecessary open ports. We also look at weak remote access controls, information disclosure, privilege escalation, insecure protocols, misconfigured devices, and possible lateral movement paths.
The exact areas depend on your network architecture, systems, technology, business needs, and the rules of engagement we agree.
External vs. internal testing
External testing looks at what can be reached from outside your organisation. It shows how an outside attacker might see and interact with your exposed environment.
Internal testing looks at your network from the inside. It shows whether a compromised device or an internal user could reach other systems or move deeper into your environment.
Each gives you a different view, and many organisations do both.
Different environments, different risks
Corporate networks connect employees, devices, servers, applications, and business systems. We look for weaknesses that could affect internal systems and day-to-day operations.
Data centres host critical infrastructure and applications. We look for exposed services, configuration weaknesses, and access control issues within the agreed scope.
Hybrid environments mix on-premises and cloud infrastructure. We assess the connections and security controls across the environment we’ve defined.
Cloud-connected networks link cloud services to internal infrastructure, applications, and identity systems. We help you understand the weaknesses across those connections.
Remote work setups make secure remote access more important than ever. We look at remote access services, authentication, and network controls within the agreed scope.
Scanning vs. penetration testing
A vulnerability scan automatically flags potential weaknesses across your systems and network services. A penetration test goes deeper. We validate selected findings and look at how weaknesses might be combined or exploited within the defined scope. Plenty of organisations use both.
Why Sunvak Boreal
Practical testing. We focus on how network weaknesses could affect your environment, not just on producing a technical list.
Risk in context. How much a vulnerability matters depends on its exposure, impact, exploitability, and the systems it affects. We help you spend your resources where they count.
A wider view. Network security is closely tied to application, cloud, infrastructure, API, and identity security. Our broader cybersecurity expertise helps you think about all of it as one strategy.
Clear reporting. Reports should work for technical teams and business stakeholders alike. We keep findings clear, add context, and give practical guidance on fixes.
We stay for the fix. Retesting confirms that issues have really been dealt with.
When to test
Testing is useful before you launch a new infrastructure environment, after major network changes, after adding new systems or services, and after significant firewall changes. It also makes sense after you implement network segmentation, when you move infrastructure to the cloud, after a security incident, and when you add remote access infrastructure or introduce significant technology changes. Many teams also test during regular security assessments and before security or compliance reviews.
Testing after big changes helps you catch new weaknesses before they grow.
Who needs it
If you have corporate networks, data centres, on-premises infrastructure, hybrid environments, cloud-connected infrastructure, or remote access systems, this is for you. The same goes for public-facing servers, internal business networks, network security appliances, critical infrastructure, and sensitive business systems. We tailor the approach to your architecture, business needs, technology, and security goals.
Strengthen your network security
Your network is the foundation that connects much of your digital world. One weak spot in an exposed service, device, configuration, or access control can give an attacker room to move deeper.
A penetration test lets you find those weak spots in a controlled setting and see where improvements are needed. We help you identify vulnerabilities, validate the risks, prioritise the findings, and take practical steps to make your network stronger.
Looking for a network penetration testing team you can trust? Contact Sunvak Boreal to talk about your environment.
FAQs
What is network penetration testing?
A controlled security assessment that finds and validates vulnerabilities in network infrastructure, systems, services, devices, and other components within an agreed scope.
What does it include?
Depending on scope: external infrastructure, internal networks, network services, firewalls, segmentation, remote access systems, devices, servers, and other relevant infrastructure.
What is external network testing?
It assesses your public-facing systems and services from the outside to find potential vulnerabilities and exposure.
What is internal network testing?
It assesses security from inside your defined internal environment and can reveal paths for unauthorised access or lateral movement.
What can it find?
Exposed services, weak authentication, insecure configurations, vulnerable software, firewall weaknesses, segmentation issues, unnecessary open ports, insecure protocols, and other network security problems.
Is it the same as vulnerability scanning?
No. Scanning generally flags potential vulnerabilities automatically. Penetration testing goes deeper, validating whether weaknesses can be exploited and what their impact could be.
How often should we test?
It depends on your risk profile, infrastructure changes, technology, security requirements, and business needs. It’s especially useful after major network changes.
Can you test cloud-connected networks?
Yes, when the relevant infrastructure and connections are in the agreed scope.
What happens afterwards?
We document and prioritise the findings, your technical teams work on fixes, and we can retest to confirm the issues are resolved.
Test your network before attackers do
Your network supports the systems and services you rely on every day, so don’t wait for an incident to show you where the gaps are. Contact Sunvak Boreal to talk about network penetration testing and find out where your network needs stronger protection.