If your business depends on uninterrupted access to data and online tools, the strength of your network security can make or break your operations. Even companies with updated software and firewalls are often surprised to find vulnerabilities hiding in plain sight. That’s why it’s so important to schedule a penetration test before a real attacker finds the weak point first.
At Complete Technology, we work with businesses that want to prevent downtime, data breaches, and compliance issues by putting their systems to the test in a safe, controlled way. Below, we’ll walk through when to schedule a penetration test, what to expect from the process, and how it helps protect your operations long-term.
What Is a Penetration Test?
A penetration test, or pen test, is a simulated cyberattack conducted by a trusted provider. The goal is to safely test your network, applications, and devices for any security holes that could be exploited.
We use a combination of automated tools and manual testing methods to evaluate how well your current defenses hold up. The results give you a clear picture of your exposure and allow you to fix issues before they’re discovered by real threats.
Key Areas That Penetration Tests Cover
- External threats: Tests from the internet that mimic how a hacker might try to break in from outside your organization.
- Internal threats: Tests run from inside your network to simulate what a rogue employee or compromised device might do.
- Application-level vulnerabilities: Checks for weaknesses in web apps, portals, and internal software systems.
- Configuration flaws: Identifies improper settings, outdated firmware, and overly permissive access rules.
When Should You Schedule a Penetration Test?
There’s no one-size-fits-all schedule, but there are key moments when penetration testing becomes especially important. If you haven’t had one done recently or if any of the situations below apply, it’s a good time to schedule a penetration test.
You’ve Made Major Changes to Your Network
If you’ve migrated systems to the cloud, added new work-from-home policies, or brought on new tools or vendors, your attack surface has changed. Those changes might open up new risks that didn’t exist before.
You Handle Sensitive or Regulated Data
Businesses in finance, healthcare, or retail are subject to strict data security requirements. Penetration testing helps ensure you’re staying compliant and protecting customer information.
It’s Been Over a Year Since Your Last Test
Threats evolve constantly. A penetration test from last year won’t catch today’s vulnerabilities. We generally recommend testing at least once per year, and more often for high-risk environments.
You’re Preparing for a Security Audit or Certification
If you need to meet SOC 2, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, or other standards, penetration testing is often a required component. Getting ahead of it allows time to remediate issues before your formal audit.
What Happens During a Penetration Test?
We start with a planning session to understand your environment, goals, and any areas you want us to focus on. From there, we launch a series of controlled tests that mimic real-world attacks. This includes network scanning, password attacks, access attempts, and code-level inspections.
When the test is complete, we deliver a detailed report showing:
- Each vulnerability we found
- How it could be exploited
- Risk level and potential impact
- Recommended steps to fix the issue
We then walk through the report with you, helping prioritize fixes and answering any questions.
How Penetration Testing Helps Protect Your Business
Penetration testing isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s a proactive way to identify weaknesses and close the gaps before they become a liability. Here’s how it benefits your organization:
- Reduces the risk of data breaches by identifying weak points early
- Keeps your systems compliant with industry standards
- Improves confidence in your security investments
- Provides clear documentation for internal teams and auditors
- Strengthens trust with clients and stakeholders
When Should You Schedule a Penetration Test? (Again)
To recap, here are the most common triggers for penetration testing:
- You’ve made changes to your systems, vendors, or infrastructure
- It’s been more than 12 months since your last test
- You handle sensitive or regulated data
- You’re preparing for an audit or certification
If any of those apply, now is the right time to schedule a penetration test. Even a short delay can lead to months of recovery work if a breach occurs.
Let’s Strengthen Your Defenses
At Complete Technology, we treat penetration testing as more than a checkbox. It’s part of a larger security strategy that helps you stay ahead of modern threats. We make the process straightforward, confidential, and aligned with your business needs.
Ready to test your defenses? Contact us today to schedule a penetration test and take the first step toward stronger security.
