What Is Penetration Testing, and Should You Be Doing It?
A penetration test (pen test) is a simulated cyber attack that identifies vulnerabilities in your systems before real attackers can exploit them.
Many UK business owners believe pen tests are only for large enterprises—but the reality is that SMEs benefit just as much, if not more.
This article breaks down who needs a pen test, when to get one, and what the benefits are—including compliance, cost avoidance, and client assurance.
🛠️ What Does a Penetration Test Involve?
- Ethical hackers simulate real attacks
- Targets include email systems, firewalls, websites, remote access tools
- Produces a detailed report on vulnerabilities and remediation steps
Pen testing is non-destructive, fully planned, and legally authorised.
🕵️♀️ 1. You Need One If You Handle Sensitive Data
Businesses that manage customer data, payment details, or health/legal records must know if that data is exposed.
Pen testing reveals those exposures—before a hacker does.
📄 2. You’re Pursuing Compliance or Certifications
Penetration testing is often required for:
- Cyber Essentials Plus
- ISO 27001
- PCI DSS
- NHS DSPT (for healthcare providers)
If your clients or contracts require these, pen testing is often mandatory.
⚙️ 3. You’ve Recently Changed Your IT Environment
New firewall? Office 365 migration? Cloud server?
Every change introduces new potential entry points. Regular pen tests ensure your defences evolve with your infrastructure.
🧮 4. You Want a Cost-Effective Risk Reduction Tool
- Pen tests start at under £1,000 for SMEs
- One test can reveal dozens of critical issues
- Far cheaper than dealing with a breach
Be Tech Secure offers black-box, grey-box, and white-box testing depending on your needs.
🧑💼 Client Use Case: 50-Person Marketing Firm
One client in London needed Cyber Essentials Plus. Our pen test revealed an outdated VPN and exposed login portal.
Remediation cost: £300. Potential breach cost avoided: £30,000+.
🆓 Request a Pen Test Quote
We provide fast, fixed-price penetration tests designed for UK SMEs. No jargon, no overkill—just expert insights and actionable results.
👉 Get Your Pen Test Quote Now
