Penetration Testing Services
Identify Security Gaps Before Attackers Do. Strengthen Your Cyber Defences.Led by Red Team Experts. Trusted by the ASX 100 & Global brands.
CyberPulse’s advanced penetration testing services deliver real-world attack simulations to uncover vulnerabilities, enhance your security posture, and protect your organisation from evolving threats.
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing (ethical hacking / Pen testing / pentesting) simulates real-world cyberattacks to expose hidden vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.
Our experts follow globally recognised frameworks (OWASP, NIST, PTES) to deliver robust, actionable results. Whether for compliance or proactive risk management, we ensure your organisation is tested against the same tactics used by sophisticated attackers, providing clarity and confidence.
Our Services Include
Internal Network Penetration Testing
External Network Penetration Testing
Web Application Penetration Testing
Mobile Application Penetration Testing
API Penetration Testing
Wifi and VoiP Penetration Testing
Red and Purple Team engagements
Secure Code Review
AD Password Audits
Cloud & Kubernetes Penetration Testing
Penetration Testing Process
1. Scoping and planning
We collaborate with your team to define the testing scope, including in-scope systems, critical assets,, and legal boundaries, laying the groundwork for a focused and safe engagement.
2. Reconnaissance & Attack Mapping
We identify potential entry points by gathering intelligence across your digital footprint. This includes scanning for exposed services and misconfigurations, building a view of your attack surface.
3. Exploitation & Privilege escalation
We attempt to safely exploit discovered vulnerabilities to assess their true business impact. Our experts test critical areas like access control, injection flaws, lateral movement and so forth.
4. Post-Exploitation Simulation
To gauge your resilience, we simulate post-exploitation actions like privilege escalation, pivoting between systems etc. to help assess your defenses.
5. Reporting & Remediation
We deliver easy to understand, actionable reports, detailing your vulnerabilities, risk severity and practical remediation steps.
6. Enhance human led testing with autonomous services
Upgrade your testing program from point in time testing to real-time security validation, identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they become threats.
Business Value of Penetration Testing
- Cybercrime in Australia surged 23% YoY in 2023–24, with the average cost of a cyber breach reaching AUD $276,000, according to the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Annual Cyber Threat Report. Source: ACSC 2024 23%
- 61% of security breaches were caused by unpatched known vulnerabilities, as highlighted in the Ponemon Institute’s 2024 report on cybersecurity threat readiness. Source: Ponemon 2024 61%
- The OAIC reported a 19% increase in notifiable data breaches in the first half of 2024, with the majority stemming from phishing attacks and web application exploits. Source: OAIC Data Breach Report H1 2024 19%
- Cyber insurers and regulators increasingly require regular penetration testing as a prerequisite for coverage, risk assessment, and compliance certification with standards like PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, and APRA CPS 234. Source: APRA & PCI-DSS Guidelines | PCI Security Standards 45%
- Regular security testing reduces the likelihood of a successful attack by up to 30%, according to a Forrester Total Economic Impact study on continuous security validation. Source: Forrester 2023 30%
Why CyberPulse?
Expertise
Our award-winning consultants bring deep expertise in penetration testing, red teaming, and cyber defence. With extensive technical capabilities our team uncover vulnerabilities others miss.
Fixed-Price
We offer a fixed-price delivery model with clear scopes, predictable timelines, and no hidden fees. Designed for cost-conscious organisations, our approach delivers high-impact results with full transparency and measurable ROI.
Managed Services
Our managed penetration testing combines expert-led assessments with advanced autonomous testing technology to deliver continuous, scalable security validation.
Ready to Strengthen Your Security?
Book a Penetration Test
FAQ – Penetration Testing (Pen testing)
What is penetration testing?
Penetration testing (pen testing) is a simulated cyberattack performed by security professionals to identify vulnerabilities in networks, applications, and systems. It demonstrates how attackers could exploit weaknesses and provides actionable remediation insights.
Why is penetration testing important?
Penetration testing helps organisations:
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Detect and remediate vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.
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Validate security controls and configurations.
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Meet compliance requirements such as PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, Essential 8, and IRAP.
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Strengthen overall cyber resilience.
How often should penetration testing be performed?
At least annually, or whenever:
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New applications or infrastructure are deployed.
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Significant changes are made to systems or networks.
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After a major security incident.
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To maintain continuous compliance and assurance.
What types of penetration testing does CyberPulse offer?
We deliver a full suite of services including:
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Network Penetration Testing (internal & external).
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Web Application Penetration Testing.
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Mobile Application Testing (iOS & Android).
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API Testing.
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Cloud & Container Security Testing.
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Wireless & VoIP Testing.
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Red & Purple Teaming.
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Compliance Testing (PCI DSS, ISO, Essential 8, IRAP).
What is autonomous penetration testing?
Autonomous penetration testing uses AI-driven tools to continuously simulate attacks and identify exploitable paths. Unlike point-in-time testing, it provides ongoing visibility into vulnerabilities. CyberPulse combines autonomous pen testing with human-led engagements to maximise coverage and accuracy.
How does autonomous penetration testing differ from vulnerability scanning?
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Vulnerability scanning finds known flaws but does not confirm exploitability.
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Autonomous penetration testing simulates real attacks, chains vulnerabilities, and validates impact, reducing false positives and prioritising risks.
What is the difference between penetration testing and red teaming?
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Penetration testing focuses on identifying and exploiting technical vulnerabilities.
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Red teaming simulates advanced adversaries, testing people, processes, and technology.
CyberPulse also offers Purple Teaming to validate and improve defences collaboratively.
What is the difference between penetration testing and bug bounty programs?
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Pen testing: Structured, time-bound, with clear scope and formal reporting.
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Bug bounty: Continuous, crowdsourced testing with varying coverage.
Pen testing is mandatory for compliance, while bug bounties are optional add-ons.
What is the difference between penetration testing and vulnerability assessments?
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Vulnerability assessment: Broad scanning for weaknesses, often automated.
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Penetration testing: Active exploitation to demonstrate real-world business impact.
What is the difference between black box, white box, and grey box testing?
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Black box: No prior knowledge (external attacker simulation).
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White box: Full access to code, architecture, or credentials.
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Grey box: Partial knowledge, simulating insider or partner threats.
How long does a penetration test take?
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Small web application: ~1 week.
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Enterprise networks or red team: Several weeks.
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Autonomous penetration testing: Continuous, near real-time results.
How is penetration testing reported?
CyberPulse provides:
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Executive summaries for leadership.
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Detailed technical findings with risk ratings.
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Remediation recommendations aligned to OWASP, NIST, and CIS.
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Validation testing to confirm fixes.
What industries benefit from penetration testing?
Penetration testing is essential for:
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Financial services & fintech.
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Government & defence.
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Healthcare & education.
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SaaS providers & hosting companies.
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Critical infrastructure & energy.
Does penetration testing help with compliance?
Yes. PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, CPS 234, and Essential 8 all require or recommend regular penetration testing. CyberPulse provides compliance-aligned reports.
Is penetration testing mandatory in Australia?
Yes, for many industries:
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PCI DSS: Required annually for merchants and service providers.
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APRA CPS 234: Mandates security testing for financial institutions.
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IRAP & Government contracts: Require accredited testing.
How much does penetration testing cost in Australia?
Costs vary by scope and complexity. Small tests may cost a few thousand dollars, while enterprise or red team exercises may cost tens of thousands. CyberPulse offers fixed-price delivery for predictable budgets.
What is continuous penetration testing?
Continuous testing combines autonomous testing, BAS (Breach & Attack Simulation), and scheduled manual testing. CyberPulse’s Managed Validation Services ensure constant coverage and faster remediation.
How does penetration testing support Zero Trust?
Pen testing validates controls like MFA, segmentation, and least privilege, ensuring your Zero Trust architecture is resilient against real-world attacks.
What role does AI play in penetration testing?
AI powers autonomous testing by simulating attacker behaviour, mapping attack paths, and prioritising high-impact risks. CyberPulse combines AI-driven insights with expert human validation for precision.
What ROI can organisations expect from penetration testing?
Proactive testing reduces breach likelihood, avoids fines, and protects brand trust. Studies show proactive testing reduces breach costs by millions compared to reactive-only strategies.
Do I need penetration testing if I already use a WAF or EDR?
Yes. WAFs and EDRs block known threats but cannot stop attackers from chaining misconfigurations, logic flaws, or social engineering. Pen testing validates real-world resilience.
What tools and methodologies does CyberPulse use?
Our team follows OWASP Top 10, MITRE ATT&CK, and NIST 800-115, using leading commercial and open-source tools, augmented by proprietary automation for autonomous testing.
How does penetration testing differ for cloud environments?
Cloud penetration testing includes validation of misconfigurations, IAM policies, container security, and API exposure. CyberPulse provides testing across AWS, Azure, GCP, and hybrid environments.
How do I choose the right penetration testing provider?
Look for:
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Certified experts (CREST, OSCP, GIAC).
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Experience in your industry.
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Compliance-aligned methodologies.
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Blended capabilities (human + autonomous testing).
CyberPulse provides all of the above, with fixed-cost delivery.
How do I get started with penetration testing at CyberPulse?
CyberPulse begins with a scoping consultation to define objectives, assets, and compliance drivers. We then deliver tailored engagements combining human-led testing, autonomous pen testing, and continuous validation.