Network penetration testing is a security assessment that simulates cyberattacks on an organization’s network to identify vulnerabilities and assess the effectiveness of network defenses. This type of testing focuses on uncovering weaknesses in the network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, servers, and endpoints, that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access, disrupt services, or exfiltrate data.

During a network penetration test, security professionals (penetration testers) use various tools and techniques to probe the network for vulnerabilities, such as unpatched systems, weak authentication mechanisms, insecure configurations, and flawed protocols. They may attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities to demonstrate the potential impact, including lateral movement across the network, privilege escalation, and data access.

Network penetration testing can be conducted from an external or internal perspective. External tests assess the security of internet-facing assets to simulate an attack from outside the organization, while internal tests simulate an attack by an insider or an attacker who has already breached the perimeter.

The results of a network penetration test provide critical insights into the security posture of the network, enabling organizations to remediate vulnerabilities, enhance access controls, and strengthen monitoring and response capabilities. Regular network penetration testing is essential to ensure ongoing protection against evolving cyber threats and to comply with industry standards and regulations in sectors where data security is a top priority.