Internal Penetration Testing

We test what happens after an attacker gets inside your network. This is about understanding your exposure from within.

What is Internal Penetration Testing?

Internal penetration testing evaluates your network security from the perspective of an attacker who has already gained initial access to your internal network. This could be through a phished credential, compromised endpoint, or physical access. We assess what an attacker could do with legitimate access and identify critical security gaps in your internal infrastructure.

What Internal Penetration Testing Covers

Our internal penetration testing service thoroughly evaluates your internal network security including:

• Network architecture and segmentation - Identify inadequate network segmentation that allows lateral movement
• Workstation and server assessment - Test for misconfigurations, unpatched systems, and weak security settings
• Privilege escalation paths - Identify methods to escalate from user to administrative access
• Lateral movement possibilities - Determine what systems and data an attacker could access from initial entry point
• Active Directory security - Assess domain controller configuration, group policies, and AD-based attacks
• Credential harvesting and cracking - Test for stored credentials and weak password policies
• File share and database access - Evaluate excessive permissions and data exposure
• Application and service vulnerabilities - Test internal applications for security flaws
• Data exfiltration paths - Determine what sensitive data could be stolen from your network
• Backup and disaster recovery systems - Assess security of backup systems that attackers often target

Internal Penetration Testing Methodology

We follow a structured approach to internal penetration testing:

• Initial Access Simulation - Begin with a standard domain user account to simulate an attacker who has gained basic network access
• Network Discovery - Identify systems, services, and network topology accessible from the initial position
• Vulnerability Assessment - Scan for misconfigurations, unpatched systems, and weak security settings
• Privilege Escalation - Attempt to elevate from user to administrative access
• Lateral Movement - Move across the network to other systems and segments
• Persistence Testing - Assess ability to maintain access for extended periods
• Data Harvesting - Attempt to locate and access sensitive data
• Business Impact Analysis - Understand the real-world impact of discovered vulnerabilities

Internal Penetration Testing Deliverables

Upon completion of your internal penetration test, you'll receive:

• Detailed findings report with technical descriptions and proof of access
• Risk-rated vulnerabilities (Critical, High, Medium, Low, Informational)
• Documented attack chains showing how vulnerabilities combine for greater impact
• Remediation roadmap with prioritized recommendations
• Network architecture recommendations for improved segmentation
• Executive summary highlighting business impact and risks
• Live debrief call to discuss findings and remediation priorities
• CVSS scores and timelines for remediation

Why Internal Penetration Testing Matters

Internal penetration testing is critical for understanding your organization's true security posture:

• Breach simulation - Test your actual response to a real insider threat or compromised endpoint
• Compliance requirements - Many regulations require assessment of internal security controls
• Identify lateral movement risks - Discover how attackers could move through your network
• Uncover hidden vulnerabilities - Find issues that external scans can't detect
• Test security controls - Verify that firewalls, IDS/IPS, and logging systems are effective
• Improve incident response - Understand what an attacker could accomplish before detection
• Demonstrate risk to leadership - Provide concrete evidence of security gaps

Internal vs. External Penetration Testing

While external penetration testing evaluates internet-facing systems, internal testing goes deeper:

• External testing - Assesses what attackers can do from outside your network
• Internal testing - Tests what happens after an attacker gains network access
• Combined approach - Many organizations perform both tests to get complete visibility

We recommend performing both external and internal penetration tests as part of a comprehensive security assessment program.

Typical Internal Penetration Testing Timeline

The timeline for internal penetration testing depends on network size and complexity:

• Small networks (20-50 systems) - 1-2 weeks
• Medium networks (50-200 systems) - 2-3 weeks
• Large networks (200+ systems) - 3-4 weeks
• Report preparation and debrief - 1 week after testing completion

We'll provide a detailed timeline before testing begins, based on your network size and scope.

What You'll Need to Provide

To conduct a successful internal penetration test, please provide:

• Scope definition - Network ranges, systems, and departments in-scope
• Out-of-scope systems - Critical production systems that shouldn't be tested
• Test account - Standard domain user account for initial access
• Network documentation - Network diagram, system inventory, or asset list
• Contact information - Primary contact for questions during testing
• Testing windows - Preferred dates and times for testing
• Previous findings - Any prior penetration test results or security assessments

Internal Penetration Testing Pricing

Internal penetration testing costs depend on network size and complexity. We offer:

• Small networks (20-50 systems) - Starting at $3,500
• Medium networks (50-200 systems) - Starting at $7,475
• Large networks (200+ systems) - Custom pricing

All pricing includes complete testing, detailed report, and debrief call. We'll provide a firm quote before any work begins.

When You Need Internal Penetration Testing

Schedule internal penetration testing if:

• You haven't tested internal security in the past 12 months
• You've experienced a recent security breach or incident
• You've made significant infrastructure or architecture changes
• You're concerned about insider threats or lateral movement
• You need to meet compliance requirements (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2)
• You want to test your incident response capabilities
• You're preparing for a security audit or assessment