How to Choose the Right Offensive Security Test for Your Organization

Most cybersecurity programs are built around compliance, not confidence. You tick the boxes, deploy the tools, run a scan or two, and assume you’re safe.But attackers don’t care about checklists. They care about opportunity.

That’s why more organizations are moving from defensive posture to offensive validation. Instead of hoping security works, they prove it under pressure.

At NEVERHACK, that’s our philosophy: Assume nothing. Prove everything. Our offensive testing portfolio is designed to uncover blind spots, validate defenses, and turn cybersecurity into a performance advantage.

Here’s how the main testing approaches compare, and when each one makes sense.

Infrastructure Penetration Testing

Purpose: Expose weaknesses in your IT foundation before attackers do.
Typical scope: Servers, endpoints, firewalls, cloud, and hybrid networks.

Your infrastructure is the backbone of your business, but every open port or misconfiguration is a potential entry point. Infrastructure penetration testing simulates targeted attacks to reveal weaknesses that automated tools often miss.

You’ll gain:

• A clear list of vulnerabilities and misconfigurations

• Validation against standards like ISO 27001 or NIS2

• Actionable steps to harden your environment

Choose this when: you’ve recently migrated to cloud, expanded your network, or want to prove resilience before an audit.

Web Application Penetration Testing

Purpose: Protect your digital storefront and user trust.
Typical scope: Web applications, APIs, authentication, and backend logic.

Your web apps are where customers meet your brand. One flaw can put both at risk. Our experts perform manual testing to uncover issues like broken access control or logic errors that scanners can’t understand.

You’ll gain:

• OWASP ASVS–aligned assessment and clear remediation steps

• Demonstrated exploit paths and risk ratings

• Executive and developer-friendly reporting

Choose this when: you release new features frequently, handle sensitive data, or need proof for compliance requirements.

Mobile Application Penetration Testing

Purpose: Validate the security of your mobile apps from device to backend.
Typical scope: Local storage, authentication, encryption, and API security.

Mobile apps extend your business beyond your walls. They also expand your attack surface. We test both the app and its ecosystem to reveal data leaks, unsafe configurations, and third-party risks.

You’ll gain:

• MASVS/ASVS–aligned results with clear business context

• Detection of insecure storage, hardcoded secrets, or logic flaws

• Compliance support for GDPR or financial regulations

Choose this when: you’re launching or updating an app that handles personal or financial data.

OT Penetration Testing

Purpose: Protect critical operational technology from disruption.
Typical scope: PLCs, SCADA systems, field devices, and industrial networks.

In industrial environments, a single weakness can halt production or endanger safety. OT penetration testing identifies insecure configurations and communication paths before they’re exploited.

You’ll gain:

• Discovery of insecure protocols and outdated firmware

• Mapping to IEC 62443 and ISO 27019

• Tested assurance of operational continuity and safety

Choose this when: you operate in manufacturing, energy, or utilities and need to protect uptime and safety.

Red Teaming

Purpose: Test your organization’s ability to detect and respond to real-world threats.
Typical scope: People, processes, and technology.

Red Teaming is a full-scale cyberattack simulation designed to measure how your defenses hold up under realistic conditions. We act like real adversaries, using the same tools and tactics they would use to get in, move around, and evade detection.

You’ll gain:

• End-to-end attack scenarios mapped to MITRE ATT&CK

• Proof of exploitability and insights into defensive blind spots

• A strategic view of how prepared your organization really is

Choose this when: you’ve already done regular testing and want to measure your readiness at the next level.

Purple Teaming

Purpose: Strengthen collaboration between offensive and defensive teams.
Typical scope: Live joint exercises between attackers and defenders.

Purple Teaming turns testing into learning. Our offensive team works directly with your defenders, running realistic scenarios and measuring how well your systems respond.

You’ll gain:

• Immediate visibility into detection and response performance

• Better communication between red and blue teams

• A culture of continuous improvement across your SOC

Choose this when: you have a SOC or MDR and want to improve effectiveness and coordination.

SAST and DAST

Purpose: Catch security flaws early in development.
Typical scope: Source code (SAST) and running applications (DAST).

SAST finds problems in your code before you deploy. DAST tests your running applications to see how they behave under attack. Together, they form the foundation of a secure development lifecycle.

You’ll gain:

• Automated vulnerability scanning in CI/CD

• OWASP and NIST alignment

• Reduced remediation costs through early detection

Choose this when: you’re building software in-house and want to integrate security into development.

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Cybersecurity isn’t about avoiding attacks. It’s about being ready for them. Every offensive engagement is a performance test that reveals how your people, processes, and technology respond under pressure.

Ready to test your defenses?
Contact us at [email protected] to book a readiness call and find out which test best fits your organization.