Penetration Testing

Penetration testing is an authorized simulated cyberattack performed by certified ethical hackers to identify security vulnerabilities in your systems before real attackers find them. Unlike automated vulnerability scanners, our penetration testers use the same tactics, techniques, and procedures as real-world threat actors to discover exploitable weaknesses in your networks, web applications, and infrastructure. Businesses in Dallas-Fort Worth and across Texas need regular pen testing to meet compliance requirements (HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 2), protect customer data, and reduce the risk of costly breaches.

We recommend conducting penetration tests at least annually, with additional testing after significant infrastructure changes, application updates, or new deployments. Many compliance frameworks like PCI DSS require annual testing at minimum. Organizations with rapidly changing environments or higher risk profiles should consider quarterly or semi-annual testing. After each penetration test, Innovation Network Design provides a free retest to verify that your remediation efforts have successfully closed the identified vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability scanning is an automated process that identifies known security weaknesses using a database of signatures, while penetration testing involves skilled ethical hackers manually attempting to exploit vulnerabilities to determine real-world impact. Scanners find potential issues; pen testers prove whether those issues can actually be used to compromise your systems. A vulnerability scan might flag an open port, but a penetration test will demonstrate whether that port can be used to gain unauthorized access, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate data. Both are valuable, but penetration testing provides the depth and context needed for informed security decisions.

Our penetration testing reports include an executive summary suitable for leadership and board presentations, detailed technical findings with evidence (screenshots, proof-of-concept), CVSS-based severity ratings for each vulnerability, step-by-step remediation guidance, and a risk prioritization matrix. Reports are delivered through the CyberOne platform, giving your team an interactive dashboard to track remediation progress. Each finding includes the business impact assessment so your team understands not just the technical risk, but the potential financial and operational consequences.

Penetration testing costs vary based on scope, complexity, and the type of testing required. Factors include the number of IP addresses, web applications, network size, and whether internal testing requires on-site work. For DFW businesses, we offer competitive pricing with the added benefit of delivering results through our CyberOne platform at no extra cost. Contact us for a free scoping consultation where we will assess your environment and provide a transparent quote with no hidden fees. We also include a free retest after remediation, which many competitors charge separately for.

Look for testers who hold industry-recognized certifications such as OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional), GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester), CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), or CREST CRT. OSCP is widely considered the gold standard because it requires candidates to pass a rigorous hands-on exam rather than a multiple-choice test. At Innovation Network Design, our penetration testers hold multiple offensive security certifications and bring real-world experience from engagements across healthcare, financial services, and critical infrastructure.

These terms describe how much information the tester has before the engagement begins. In black box testing, the tester has no prior knowledge of the target — simulating an external attacker. White box testing gives the tester full access to source code, architecture diagrams, and credentials — maximizing vulnerability coverage. Gray box testing falls in between: the tester receives limited information such as user-level credentials or network ranges. Most businesses benefit from gray box testing because it balances realism with thoroughness. During our free scoping consultation, we help you choose the right approach for your environment and compliance requirements.

A typical external network penetration test takes 1-2 weeks from scoping to final report delivery. Web application tests range from 1-3 weeks depending on the number of pages, roles, and API endpoints. Internal network assessments usually take 1-2 weeks including on-site time. Complex engagements that combine multiple test types can run 3-4 weeks. We provide a detailed timeline during the scoping phase and keep you informed throughout the process via our CyberOne platform.

No — a professional penetration test is designed to avoid business disruption. During the scoping phase, we identify critical systems and agree on testing windows, rate limits, and out-of-scope targets. Denial-of-service testing is never performed unless explicitly requested and scheduled during maintenance windows. Our testers maintain constant communication with your IT team through our SOC and can pause testing immediately if any issue arises. In over 25 years of combined engagements, we have never caused unplanned downtime for a client.