Internal penetration testing simulates what could happen if an attacker already has access to your internal environment. That could mean access from malware, phishing, a compromised device, or a malicious insider. These tests are designed to identify vulnerabilities in real-world conditions.
We test how internal users—or attackers acting as internal users—could exploit systems, access files, and compromise data. For security teams, it’s an essential way to understand how real threats unfold inside the network.
Firewalls, EDR, and VPNs are important—but they can’t block everything. Internal pen tests show what happens when those defenses are bypassed.
This type of test helps you:
Identify vulnerabilities hidden behind your firewall
Reveal flaws in segmentation, monitoring, and response
Simulate lateral movement across your internal systems
Confirm that alerts and detection tools are working
Evaluate privilege and access control effectiveness
Internal penetration testing also helps uncover overlooked issues—like misconfigured systems, overprivileged accounts, and risks from insider access or man in the middle attacks.
We discover internal hosts, DNS records, open ports, and services to map out your network.
We safely uncover security vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and outdated software.
We attempt to exploit those weaknesses to demonstrate real-world impact and gaining access potential.
We explore how far we can go across the network, gain unauthorized access, and escalate privileges.
You get a clear report on what we did, what we found, and what your security teams should fix.
It simulates a cyberattack from inside your network to test exposure and identify vulnerabilities.
Even the strongest perimeter defenses can’t stop every threat. Internal testing helps identify what an attacker could exploit once inside—like unsecured file shares, outdated software, weak passwords, or domain privilege escalation paths.
External testing focuses on internet-facing systems and simulates attacks from the outside. Internal testing begins behind the firewall and mimics a threat actor already inside the network, often uncovering more critical risks.
Typically, we request either a VPN connection or a virtual machine on the internal network. No elevated privileges are needed—we test from the perspective of a compromised low-privileged user or rogue device.
We use industry-standard tools like BloodHound, CrackMapExec, Responder, Mimikatz, SharpHound, and custom scripts. Manual testing is emphasized to mimic real-world attacker behavior, not just automated scans. We use a mix of open-source and commercial tools to find security vulnerabilities and weak configurations.
No. We design our tests to be safe and non-disruptive. Exploit attempts are controlled and scoped to avoid downtime or service impact. We work with your team to schedule tests around sensitive time periods if needed.
You’ll receive a detailed report including executive summaries, technical findings, risk ratings, proof of concept data, and clear, prioritized remediation guidance. We also offer post-engagement debriefs to walk through results with stakeholders.
At minimum, annually or after major changes to your internal infrastructure (e.g., domain controller upgrades, office migrations, M&A activity). Regulated industries may require more frequent testing.
Yes, many standards require internal testing. For example, PCI DSS requires both internal and external penetration testing. HIPAA and GLBA recommend internal testing as part of a risk-based security program.
Yes. We provide step-by-step fixes and follow-up support for your security teams.
Internal network penetration testing isn’t just about security—it’s also essential for meeting compliance standards. Many industries are required to test their internal controls regularly to protect sensitive data and prove that safeguards are working. Our testing approach is aligned with leading frameworks and regulations, so you can address both technical risks and audit readiness in one engagement. Below are some of the key standards our internal penetration testing services support.
Internal network penetration testing aligns with NIST 800-53 and 800-171 by validating control effectiveness within federal or contractor networks. Since these standards emphasize risk-based assessments, internal testing ensures security controls resist insider threats. Additionally, it provides evidence for audit readiness.
Under GLBA, financial institutions must secure customer data from both external and internal threats. Consequently, internal penetration testing plays a critical role in identifying unauthorized access paths within internal systems. As a result, it helps institutions maintain consumer trust and regulatory alignment.
Internal penetration testing is especially important for HIPAA compliance, as it verifies the security of systems handling protected health information (PHI). Moreover, it identifies gaps that could expose patient records to internal misuse. Therefore, regular internal testing helps meet the Security Rule’s technical safeguards.
Internal network penetration testing supports PCI DSS compliance by uncovering vulnerabilities within cardholder data environments. Because PCI requires regular testing, this approach ensures businesses proactively reduce risk. Additionally, it helps demonstrate due diligence to assessors and supports ongoing certification efforts.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board mandates strong internal controls, which internal penetration testing directly supports. Because casinos manage sensitive patron and operational data, this testing helps ensure internal access is restricted and monitored. Moreover, it aligns with gaming regulations and audit standards.
Internal network penetration testing helps tribal casinos satisfy security expectations under IGRA and related tribal-state compacts. While the act does not mandate specific testing, regulators increasingly expect proactive security. Therefore, internal testing demonstrates good faith and supports data protection efforts.
We simulate real-world cyberattacks against your public-facing systems to uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do. This helps identify exploitable weaknesses in firewalls, VPNs, email servers, and other internet-accessible assets.
This test mimics an attacker who has gained internal access, helping uncover insecure configurations, legacy systems, and lateral movement paths. It reveals how deep an intruder could go inside your network and what data might be compromised.
We assess the security of your Wi-Fi networks, identifying risks such as rogue access points, weak encryption, and insecure configurations. The goal is to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive data traveling over your wireless infrastructure.
We perform in-depth testing of your web applications using both automated tools and manual techniques to uncover flaws like injection, authentication bypass, and insecure direct object references. This ensures your apps are secure against OWASP Top 10 threats.
We conduct phishing, pretexting, and baiting campaigns to measure your employees’ resistance to real-world social engineering tactics. This service helps you identify human vulnerabilities and improve security awareness training.
We evaluate your cloud-hosted infrastructure and configurations for misconfigurations, privilege escalation paths, and insecure APIs. This ensures your AWS, Azure, or GCP environments align with cloud security best practices.
e attempt to breach your physical security controls by tailgating, badge cloning, or bypassing locks to test your facility’s resilience against intruders. This reveals gaps in physical access controls, alarm systems, and visitor management.
Our red team mimics real-world adversaries using stealth, persistence, and custom tooling to test your entire security ecosystem across digital, human, and physical layers. This provides a true test of your detection, response, and resilience capabilities.
Internal network penetration testing is crucial for casinos because it identifies hidden risks within surveillance systems, gaming networks, and operations. As a result, it helps protect player data, meet gaming commission standards, and reduce internal fraud opportunities.
Since healthcare systems handle sensitive patient data, internal pen testing plays a vital role in securing internal networks. Moreover, it ensures medical devices, EHR systems, and administrative systems comply with HIPAA and resist insider threats.
Financial firms must stay ahead of sophisticated threats; therefore, internal penetration testing is essential for uncovering weaknesses in employee-accessible systems. Additionally, it helps prevent privilege abuse and strengthens internal safeguards for sensitive financial data.
Because hotels and resorts process vast guest data internally, internal penetration testing helps expose gaps in POS systems, guest apps, and property management platforms. Furthermore, it ensures data integrity, boosts resilience, and supports PCI DSS compliance.
Internal network penetration testing matters deeply in law firms, since client data often resides on internal servers. Not only does it reveal misuse risks, but it also ensures professional service firms prevent credential compromise and unauthorized file access.
For cloud and SaaS companies, internal penetration testing is necessary to safeguard the infrastructure that supports user platforms. In turn, it helps maintain secure access control, detects lateral movement opportunities, and supports a zero-trust model.
Because schools and EdTech systems contain sensitive student records, internal pen testing ensures these environments stay protected. In addition, it reveals weaknesses in learning platforms and helps institutions maintain FERPA compliance.
Internal network penetration testing is vital for retail and eCommerce brands, as it uncovers flaws in employee systems, back-office networks, and inventory controls. As a result, it not only supports PCI compliance but also defends against insider-driven data leaks.
We’ve conducted internal penetration testing for casinos, hospitals, law firms, SaaS providers, and more. Our experts think like adversaries, move like insiders, and deliver remediation reports your team can act on immediately.
Whether you need compliance validation or a real-world insider threat simulation, Adversim helps you protect what matters most.
