Infrastructure penetration testing is crucial for identifying security gaps in your internal and external networks before malicious actors exploit them. It helps protect sensitive data, ensures business continuity, and supports compliance with standards such as ISO 27001, NIST, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

An infrastructure pentest typically includes vulnerability scanning, manual exploitation, privilege escalation, lateral movement testing, and evaluation of patch management and network segmentation. It may cover both internal (behind the firewall) and external (public-facing) systems depending on the scope.

External infrastructure tests focus on systems exposed to the internet, such as web servers, email gateways, and firewalls. Internal tests simulate an attacker who has breached the perimeter and assesses how far they could go within your internal network environment.

Common infrastructure vulnerabilities include open ports, outdated software, weak or default credentials, misconfigured firewalls, unpatched systems, and poor network segmentation. These weaknesses can allow attackers to move laterally, access sensitive data, or take control of systems.

Infrastructure pentesting follows established methodologies such as the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), NIST SP 800-115, and OSSTMM. The approach includes planning, reconnaissance, vulnerability identification, exploitation, post-exploitation, and reporting.

The duration depends on the size and complexity of the environment. A basic external test might take 3–5 days, while a comprehensive internal and external engagement for a medium-sized organization may take 2–3 weeks, including the reporting phase.

Costs vary depending on the scope, number of IPs/assets, and testing depth. Prices typically range from $5,000 for small external assessments to over $50,000 for large enterprise-level tests. The investment reflects time, expertise, and depth of testing.

To initiate an infrastructure penetration test, you’ll typically provide a list of in-scope IP addresses, a network diagram, details on user accounts (for internal testing), and timing preferences. This helps define boundaries and expectations for the assessment.

After the test, you’ll receive a comprehensive report including an executive summary, detailed findings, risk ratings, screenshots or logs as proof-of-concept, and prioritized remediation guidance. Many providers also offer a retest to validate that vulnerabilities have been properly fixed.

Social engineering (like phishing or USB drops) can be included as an add-on to infrastructure penetration testing. These assessments test the human element of your security posture and simulate real-world scenarios where attackers exploit employees to gain access.

It is recommended to perform infrastructure penetration testing at least once a year or after any significant changes to your network architecture, security controls, or systems. Regular testing helps ensure that new vulnerabilities are quickly identified and mitigated.