Could Your Business Be Hacked? Why Now is the Time to Book a Penetration Test

Cyber threats are no longer the stuff of crime thrillers or only a concern for large organisations. They're daily headlines, urgent boardroom topics, and - if we're being honest - probably a niggling worry in the back of your mind. And yet, one of the most effective ways to understand and reduce your cyber risk is something most businesses haven't done:

A penetration test.

If you're not quite sure what that is, or assume it's only for big corporations, this blog is for you.

Think of it like hiring a friendly burglar to try and break into your building - not to steal anything, but to show you where the weak points are. It could involve:

• Trying to get in through your website or remote login systems
• Checking if common passwords still work
• Looking for unpatched software or open ports
• Testing what happens if an employee clicks a phishing link

And at the end? You get a clear, plain-English report showing where your vulnerabilities are - and how to fix them.

Why It Matters Now

Cyber attacks are getting faster, more convincing, and more automated. Right now:

• Over a third of North West SMEs have suffered a cyber attack
• Most breaches come down to one of three things: outdated software, weak credentials, or untrained staff
• The average cost of a successful attack? £8,000+, not including downtime or damage to your reputation

And yet, fewer than 15% of UK medium-sized businesses have ever had a penetration test. If you're relying on "hope" as your strategy, it's time to reassess.

What Penetration (Pen) Testing Can Help You Prevent

• Data leaks from poorly secured cloud systems
• Account takeovers from reused for weak passwords
• Ransomware attacks via open remote desktop ports
• Phishing vulnerabilities in your team
• Compliance issues (especially with GDPR, Cyber Essentials, or cyber insurance renewals)

In short: It tells you what could go wrong before it actually does.

What's The Process Like?

We get this question a lot, so here's the short version:

1. Scoping - Agreeing what's being tested (website, network, remote access, etc.)
2. Testing - An ethical hacker gets to work
3. Reporting - Your Pen Testers will send you a clear, risk-prioritised report with fixes
4. Redemption Support - We help you plug the gaps

It's usually complete within 5-10 working days and causes no disruption to your day-to-day operations.

Final Thoughts: It's About Peace of Mind

Penetration Testing isn't about making yourself paranoid. It's about showing you where you stand - so you can act confidently. Think of it as an MOT for your cyber security. No one enjoys booking it, but everyone's glad they did.

If you're a Greater Manchester business and want to:

• Check how secure your systems really are
• Get peace of mind before your next growth stage or compliance renewal, or
  
• Just stop wondering "Are we protected?"

... we're here to help.