Penetration Testing NZ

Penetration testing – also called a pen test or ethical hacking – is an authorised simulated attack on your systems, carried out by security professionals to find vulnerabilities before real attackers do. NSP’s pen testers use the same techniques and tools that attackers use, but under a controlled scope agreed with you before testing starts. The goal is to find what’s actually exploitable – not just what shows up on an automated scan.

NSP offers penetration testing across external networks, internal networks, web applications, cloud environments, and social engineering. Every engagement includes a scoping phase to agree what’s being tested, active testing using manual and automated techniques, and a full written report with severity-rated findings and a prioritised remediation roadmap. We also provide a debrief walkthrough of the findings for your team.

A vulnerability scan is an automated check for known weaknesses – it tells you what might be exploitable. A penetration test goes further: a skilled tester actively attempts to exploit those weaknesses and others, simulating what a real attacker would do. A scan gives you a list. A pen test tells you what’s actually dangerous. Most compliance frameworks and cyber insurers require a pen test, not just a scan.

At minimum, annually and whenever there’s a significant change to your environment such as a new application, cloud migration, or major infrastructure update. ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and NZISM all reference regular penetration testing as a requirement. If you’re applying for or renewing cyber insurance, your insurer may ask for evidence of recent testing. NSP can help you build a testing programme that fits your risk profile and compliance obligations.

Increasingly, yes. NZ cyber insurers are asking for evidence of regular security testing before underwriting or renewing policies. A documented pen test from a professional provider is one of the strongest signals you can provide. If you also need a broader cyber insurance readiness assessment, NSP’s cyber insurance assessment service covers the full picture.

It depends on scope. A focused external network test or web application test typically takes 3–5 days of active testing. Larger environments or more complex engagements – internal network, cloud, social engineering combined – can take 1–2 weeks. We agree the scope and timeline with you before anything starts, and we work around your operational requirements.

Cost depends on scope, environment complexity, and the type of testing required. As a general guide, focused engagements for SMEs typically start from a few thousand dollars, while more comprehensive tests covering multiple environments are priced accordingly. NSP provides a clear, fixed-price quote based on the agreed scope before testing starts – no surprises. Get in touch for a scoping conversation.

NSP offers external network penetration testing, internal network penetration testing, web application penetration testing, cloud security testing, and social engineering assessments. If you’re not sure which type is right for your business, our team will help you scope the most effective engagement for your environment and objectives.

These terms describe how much information the tester is given before testing starts. Black box testing means the tester starts with no prior knowledge of your environment – simulating an external attacker with no inside information. White box testing means the tester is given full access to documentation, source code, and network diagrams – useful for deep technical reviews of specific systems. Grey box is the most common approach: the tester is given some context (for example, valid credentials or network diagrams) to focus testing on the areas that matter most. NSP will recommend the most appropriate approach for your objectives during scoping.

A penetration test has a defined scope, a known timeframe, and is focused on finding as many vulnerabilities as possible within that scope. A red team exercise is broader and more adversarial – the red team is given an objective (for example, “access the finance system”) and uses any means necessary to achieve it, including social engineering, physical access, and extended dwell time. Red team exercises test your detection and response capability, not just your preventive controls. Most businesses start with a pen test. Red team exercises are suited to organisations that already have a mature security programme and want to test it under realistic conditions.

This is one of the most common concerns and it is a legitimate one. NSP takes precautions to avoid causing disruption during testing. Before testing starts, we agree on what is in scope, what is out of scope, and what to do if something unexpected happens. We avoid destructive tests unless specifically agreed, and we work around your operational hours where required. In rare cases, vulnerability exploitation can cause unexpected behaviour in legacy systems – this is discussed during scoping so you can make an informed decision about what to test and when. The short answer: disruption during a well-scoped, professionally conducted pen test is uncommon and manageable.

It depends on your goal. If you want to know your actual current security posture – what an attacker could exploit right now – do not patch first. The test results are more useful when they reflect your real environment. If you have already fixed known critical vulnerabilities and want to confirm the fixes are effective, tell us during scoping and we will focus accordingly. For compliance-driven tests, your auditor or insurer typically wants the test to reflect your live environment at the time of testing.

Start with the Critical and High severity findings. These are the vulnerabilities that represent real, exploitable risk to your business right now. Your remediation roadmap from NSP sequences the fixes for you – you do not need to decide the order yourself. Once critical findings are addressed, work through the Medium and Low items on a schedule that fits your resources. For businesses with compliance obligations, NSP can conduct a retest after remediation to confirm findings have been resolved and to produce updated documentation for your auditor or insurer. If your pen test reveals structural security gaps rather than just individual vulnerabilities, a vCISO engagement can help you address the underlying programme issues.