Web applications are digital platforms that can be accessed through a browser – for example customer portals, administrative dashboards, online stores, or internal business tools. In many organizations, they form the visible backbone of digital business processes.

If web applications are not properly secured, attackers may be able to access confidential data, take over user accounts, or manipulate business workflows. Common risks include insufficient access controls, flawed authentication mechanisms, insecure input handling, or the ability to bypass authorization checks. Particularly critical are vulnerabilities that allow a user to access another user's data or which expose administrative functionality.

A web application penetration test examines the system from an attacker's perspective. The assessment evaluates whether access restrictions are properly enforced, whether sensitive data is adequately protected, and whether business logic can be abused. The result is a clear and structured risk assessment, along with concrete recommendations to strengthen the application's security in a sustainable way.

Interfaces – commonly referred to as APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) – enable automated communication between different systems. They are often used to connect mobile applications with backend systems or to enable data exchange between business partners.

Because APIs operate behind the scenes and are not directly visible to users, their security is frequently underestimated. Missing or improperly implemented access controls can allow unauthorized parties to retrieve or manipulate sensitive data. Other risks include manipulated requests, insufficient authentication mechanisms, or the absence of proper rate limiting. When business-critical or sensitive information is involved, such weaknesses can quickly result in serious financial or regulatory consequences.

An API penetration test focuses specifically on these communication channels. It evaluates whether authorization mechanisms are implemented correctly, whether only legitimate systems can access the interface, and whether manipulation attempts are detected or prevented. Based on these findings, organizations receive practical recommendations to strengthen and secure their API architecture.

An organization's technical infrastructure consists of servers, network components, firewalls, and other interconnected systems. Together, they form the fundament of digital business operations.

Exposed services, outdated software, or misconfigured systems can provide attackers with an entry point. A particularly critical risk is what is known as lateral movement: once an attacker gains access to a single system, they may be able to move through the network, compromise additional systems, and gradually escalate their privileges.

An infrastructure penetration test evaluates both external and internal attack surfaces. It identifies which systems are accessible from the internet, assesses the effectiveness of internal network segmentation, and analyzes how an intrusion could potentially spread within the environment. The findings help organizations systematically address structural security weaknesses.

Central directory services such as Microsoft Active Directory manage user accounts, groups, and access permissions across the IT environment. They determine who is allowed to access specific systems and data.

Misconfigurations or excessive privileges can allow attackers to gain extensive rights after an initial foothold. Particularly critical are situations in which privileged accounts are compromised or passwords are insufficiently protected.

An assessment of identity and access management examines how effective these controls actually are in practice. It evaluates whether privileges are properly separated, whether privileged accounts are adequately protected, and how likely it is for an attacker to achieve full domain compromise. The result is a clear picture of the overall security posture of the organization's IT environment.

Technical security controls alone are not sufficient if attackers are able to manipulate people directly. Social engineering refers to attacks in which employees are deceived into revealing confidential information or performing security-critical actions. Common examples include:

• Phishing (deceptive emails designed to appear legitimate)
• Smishing (attacks delivered via SMS or messaging services)
• Quishing (manipulation using QR codes)

The objective is typically to steal credentials, deliver malware, or bypass internal processes.

Attackers deliberately exploit stress, authority pressure, or time constraints to trigger impulsive decisions. In many cases, a single compromised account is enough to gain access to internal systems, manipulate financial transactions, or exfiltrate sensitive data.

What makes social engineering particularly dangerous is that these attacks often do not rely on technical vulnerabilities, but on human behavior.

A social engineering assessment simulates realistic attack scenarios under controlled conditions. It evaluates how employees respond to convincing attack attempts and identifies weaknesses in organizational processes.

The goal is not to blame individuals, but to uncover structural gaps in processes, awareness, and internal controls. Organizations receive practical recommendations to improve training, policies, and supporting security measures.

In addition to digital threats, organizations also face physical security risks. Unauthorized individuals may attempt to gain access to offices, server rooms, or other protected areas. A physical penetration test evaluates how effectively access controls, visitor management, and on-site security procedures function in practice.

Insufficiently secured building entrances, missing identity checks, or unprotected server rooms can allow attackers to gain direct access to hardware. This may enable them to copy data from storage devices, install malicious software, or manipulate network connections.

Physical security weaknesses effectively bypass firewalls and software-based defenses, since the attacker is operating directly within the protected environment.

A physical penetration test simulates realistic access attempts under clearly defined conditions. The assessment evaluates whether existing security controls, employee awareness, and access management procedures are functioning as intended.

The organization receives an objective evaluation of whether its physical and organizational safeguards are adequate or whether specific improvements are necessary.

Wireless networks enable flexible ways of working but also introduce an additional attack surface. Unlike wired networks, wireless signals can often be received beyond the physical boundaries of a building.

Weak encryption, poorly chosen access passwords, or misconfigured guest networks may allow attackers to connect to the corporate network without authorization. Another common threat is the so-called "Evil Twin" attack, in which a rogue Wi-Fi network is set up to impersonate a legitimate one in order to capture login credentials.

Once a wireless network is compromised, it can serve as an entry point for attacking internal systems or intercepting network traffic.

A Wi-Fi assessment evaluates the encryption standards in use, authentication mechanisms, and network segmentation. It also examines whether the network can be targeted from nearby locations and whether existing security controls have been implemented correctly.

The result provides a clear assessment of whether the wireless network meets current security standards and what measures are required to address any identified weaknesses.

A vulnerability scan is an automated process that analyzes IT assets to identify known vulnerabilities, missing security updates, or configuration issues. The result is typically a list of potential risks generated by standardized scanning tools.

A penetration test goes a step further. It actively simulates attacks using expert knowledge and manual testing techniques to determine whether and how vulnerabilities could actually be exploited. Rather than simply listing potential issues, a penetration test validates findings and places them into context by demonstrating their real impact on systems and business processes. This typically includes Proof of Concept demonstrations and practical remediation recommendations.

In simple terms:

• A vulnerability scan highlights what might exist.
• A penetration test can demonstrate the impact under real-world conditions.

A professional penetration test follows a structured and methodical approach.

The process begins by clearly defining the scope. This includes determining which systems will be assessed, which attack scenarios should be simulated, and which boundaries must be respected. This phase is essential to ensure that risks are evaluated in a targeted way while avoiding unintended disruptions.

The next step is the technical assessment. During this phase, systems are analyzed, potential attack vectors are identified, and their exploitability is evaluated under realistic conditions. While automated tools are used as support, the primary focus lies on manual analysis and expert evaluation.

The findings are then reviewed, prioritized, and documented. The report does not only describe the technical vulnerability itself, but also places it into the context of its potential business impact. If a critical vulnerability is discovered during the assessment, you will be informed immediately rather than having to wait for the final report. In the case of critical findings, timely action is essential.

If required, a follow-up walkthrough of the report or a full executive level presentation can be conducted. During this session, the identified vulnerabilities are explained in more detail and any remaining questions can be addressed.

The duration of a penetration test mostly depends on the scope of the assessment.

• Web Application: A typical security test of a medium-sized web application generally takes 1–2 weeks, including analysis, testing, and reporting.

• Internal Infrastructure with Active Directory: More complex corporate environments that include directory service and authentication components (such as Microsoft Active Directory) typically require 2–4 weeks or longer, depending on the size of the organization. In these cases, the assessment goes beyond surface-level vulnerabilities and also examines lateral movement, privilege escalation, and detailed permission structures.

A thorough penetration test involves more than just the active "hacking" phase. It also includes preparation, coordination, in-depth analysis, and the creation of a clear and comprehensive report.

A professional penetration test is conducted in a controlled and coordinated manner. Potentially disruptive tests are defined in advance, and sensitive systems are only assessed within agreed boundaries.

In most cases, testing does not cause operational disruptions. In particularly sensitive environments, assessments can also be scheduled outside regular business hours.

No. In most cases, all necessary details are clarified in advance, so follow-up questions during the testing phase are rare and typically only arise in exceptional situations or if a critical vulnerability is identified. However, it is generally recommended to remain reachable during the testing period and not be completely absent.

Once the initial setup and any required access have been verified, a penetration test usually proceeds independently. If desired, specific tests can also be conducted collaboratively so you can observe how certain attack techniques are performed in practice.

The appropriate frequency depends largely on how quickly the IT environment changes. In general, the following intervals are recommended:

• At least once per year
• After major system changes

• Before the deployment of new applications

• After structural changes to the network or access management

Security risks often arise not from a single mistake, but from the gradual accumulation of changes within complex systems over time.

No. The report is significantly more comprehensive and typically includes:

• A non-technical executive summary
• The agreed scope and testing parameters
• Detailed technical information about the identified vulnerabilities, including:
  • A clear description of the vulnerability

  • Proof of Concept evidence and reproduction steps

  • Practical remediation recommendations
  • A risk assessment for each finding
• An overview of the testing categories and methodologies used

The objective is to ensure that both executive leadership and technical teams can meaningfully use the report.

Upon request, a sample report based on a fictional company can be provided to illustrate the structure and quality of the documentation.

Yes. Upon request, a sample report can be provided that demonstrates the structure and quality of the document using a fictional company as an example. Simply reach out to request access.

Once testing has been completed, the final report is usually delivered within a few business days. For more extensive assessments, delivery may take slightly longer depending on the complexity of the environment and the number of findings. The primary focus is on accuracy, clarity, and traceability of the results.