Last updated: 31 May 2026
Many businesses know they ought to think about security, but are unsure what a security assessment actually involves and whether they need one. Here is a practical walkthrough.
What is penetration testing?
Penetration testing is about uncovering security vulnerabilities in systems by testing them the way an attacker would, in a controlled way and with permission. The aim is to find the weaknesses before anyone else does.
It differs from automated vulnerability scanning, which runs through known signatures and patterns without any further understanding of the system. A penetration test requires professional judgement of the whole: understanding how the system works, finding logical flaws, testing combinations of weaknesses and assessing what could actually be exploited in a real scenario.
Who should consider it?
A security assessment is particularly relevant for:
- Businesses that process customer information, payment data or other sensitive information
- Organisations that have just launched, or are about to launch, a new digital solution
- Businesses using systems developed in-house without security having been systematically reviewed
- Organisations with security documentation requirements from customers or partners
Size is not the deciding factor. Smaller businesses are often more exposed, precisely because they less often have dedicated security expertise in-house.
What does a test at VargTech involve?
We carry out ethical penetration testing exclusively on systems we have written permission to test. We uncover weaknesses, document the findings in a report and give concrete recommendations for what should be fixed and in what order.
The test is adapted to the system and the need. A review of a website is not the same as a full test of a complex system with many integrations, and we size the work accordingly.
If you are wondering whether your systems should be tested, we are happy to have a no-obligation talk about what that would involve in your situation.