// KNOWLEDGE BASE

14 Key Questions About Pentesting

Read detailed answers to the questions most frequently asked by our clients before starting a collaboration.

General Information

Our penetration testing and IT security audit services are designed for organizations that want to effectively protect their systems against cyberattacks.

We serve, among others:

  • companies processing customer data
  • financial and medical institutions
  • online stores and SaaS platforms
  • IT and cloud service providers
  • software houses
  • organizations in regulated industries
  • network and infrastructure administrators
Pentests help reduce the risk of data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.

At VIPentest, we focus on manual penetration testing performed by experts, not solely on automated scanners.

Our advantages:

  • an experienced team of certified specialists
  • manual vulnerability analysis
  • no false alarms
  • technical and business reports
  • an individual approach to each project
  • focus on real risk
As a result, the client receives a reliable security assessment, not just a list of automated results.

Any system connected to the Internet can become a target of an attack.

Most common reasons:

  • storing personal and financial data
  • the possibility of stealing funds
  • access to intellectual property
  • using servers for botnets
  • ransomware extortion
  • reputational attacks
  • lack of updates and security measures
  • high application popularity
  • susceptibility to phishing
A pentest allows you to detect these threats before cybercriminals do.

No. A penetration test significantly improves the level of security, but does not provide an absolute guarantee of protection.

Why?

  • new vulnerabilities appear (zero-day)
  • systems are updated
  • configurations change
  • human errors can occur
  • the level of attacks increases

That’s why we recommend:

  • regular pentests
  • security monitoring
  • updates
  • employee training
  • a secure software development process
IT security is a process, not a one-time action.
Testing Methodology

⬛ Black-Box

The tester has no knowledge of the system. Simulates an external attack.

Pros:

✓ attack realism
✓ perimeter security assessment

Cons:

✗ lower accuracy

🔳 Grey-Box

The tester has partial knowledge of the system.

Pros:

✓ good balance
✓ high effectiveness

Cons:

✗ dependency on documentation

⬜ White-Box

The tester has full access to the code and architecture.

Pros:

✓ highest accuracy
✓ detection of deep vulnerabilities

Cons:

✗ less attack realism

Manual tests allow you to:

  • detect logical errors
  • analyze business context
  • eliminate false positives
  • simulate real attacks
  • assess vulnerability impact
  • prepare practical recommendations
Automated tools are a support — they cannot replace a specialist.
Test Preparation

For a pentest to be effective, you should:

  • prepare the test environment
  • verify application functionality
  • perform a data backup
  • notify the hosting provider about the test
  • provide access credentials
  • configure SMTP
  • agree on the test scope
Good preparation shortens testing time and increases its quality.

⬛ Black-Box

  • application URLs

🔳 Grey-Box

  • URL
  • test accounts
  • documentation
  • user roles

⬜ White-Box

  • URL
  • accounts
  • SSH/FTP access
  • source code
  • documentation
  • API
The more data, the more accurate the result.

Available methods:

  • VPN
  • web access
  • ISO image
  • RDP
  • TailScale
We always determine the method individually.
Duration & Frequency

Completion time depends on:

  • project size
  • test type
  • number of systems
  • level of security measures
  • documentation availability

Approximately:

5–10 days
Small projects
2–3 weeks
Medium projects
4–6 weeks
Large environments
Exact timeline is determined individually.

Recommended frequency:

  • at least once a year
  • after every major update
  • after infrastructure changes
  • in regulated industries: every 6 months
  • after security incidents
Best results come from combining pentests with continuous monitoring.
Technical Details

A retest involves:

  • verification of implemented fixes
  • re-checking vulnerabilities
  • review of new changes
  • preparation of an updated report
Thanks to the retest, you can be sure that issues have been effectively resolved.

IP whitelisting:

  • prevents blocking of testers
  • shortens test time
  • increases analysis effectiveness
It is recommended but not mandatory.

Changing SMTP allows:

  • analysis of system emails
  • password reset testing
  • notification verification
  • checking for logical vulnerabilities
The configuration is quick and secure.

Have Additional Questions?

Contact the VIPentest team to receive a free consultation and a tailored IT security testing offer.

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