Human-Led
Manual, risk-based testing instead of tool-only scans
What Is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing is a controlled security assessment that simulates attacker techniques to identify weaknesses and validate exploitability across your systems, networks, and applications.
Unlike vulnerability scanning, which identifies potential issues, penetration testing safely demonstrates which vulnerabilities can be exploited, how far an attacker could move, and what data or systems could be compromised. This distinction is critical for regulated organizations because examiners often expect defensible evidence of risk, not just technical scan results.
Why Choose SBS for Your Penetration Test?
Our penetration testing methodology combines proven frameworks with decades of experience supporting regulated organizations. Every engagement follows a structured approach that prioritizes safety, clarity, and meaningful outcomes without disrupting business operations. Our penetration tests are:
Mapped to Regulatory Needs
Aligned to FFIEC, NCUA ISE, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and NIST guidance
Exam‑Ready
Clear documentation with defensible conclusions for stakeholders and examiners
We align our testing approach with established standards such as:
Types of Penetration Testing We Offer
- External Network Penetration Testing
- Internal Network Penetration Testing
- Web Application Penetration Testing
- Wireless Penetration Testing
- PCI DSS Penetration Testing
External penetration testing evaluates the security of your internet‑facing systems from the perspective of an outside attacker. This testing identifies vulnerabilities and misconfigurations that could allow unauthorized access to your network. Common focus areas include:
- Public‑facing IP addresses and services
- Firewall and perimeter defenses
- Exposure to known exploits and misconfigurations
External penetration testing is frequently required by regulatory frameworks and provides critical insight into your organization's external attack surface.
Internal penetration testing simulates an attacker who has already gained access to your internal network — through compromised credentials, phishing, or a rogue device.
This testing evaluates:
- Lateral movement opportunities
- Privilege escalation paths
- Active Directory and authentication weaknesses
- Segmentation and internal controls
Internal penetration testing helps organizations understand the potential impact of an assumed breach and is increasingly emphasized by examiners.
Web application penetration testing assesses the security of public‑facing and internal applications, including portals, APIs, and business‑critical systems. Testing focuses on vulnerabilities such as:
- Injection attacks (SQL, command injection)
- Cross‑site scripting (XSS)
- Authentication and authorization flaws
- Insecure configurations and data exposure
Web applications are often a primary attack vector, making this testing essential for protecting sensitive data and customer information.
Wireless penetration testing evaluates the configuration and security of your wireless networks, whether used internally or available to guests. This testing identifies:
- Weak encryption or authentication
- Improper segmentation
- Unauthorized access points
- Pivot opportunities into the internal network
Wireless networks are frequently overlooked but can provide attackers with a direct path into your environment if improperly secured.
Organizations that process, store, or transmit payment card data are required to perform PCI DSS penetration testing. SBS provides PCI DSS penetration testing that:
- Meets PCI DSS Requirement 11
- Validates segmentation controls
- Produces documentation suitable for QSAs and auditors
Our testing helps ensure payment systems are protected while supporting ongoing compliance efforts.
The most valuable impact was the clarity and confidence SBS brought to our IT risk posture.
Bobby Heinze
Chief Information Security Officer
The Peoples Bank, Arkansas
Thanks to SBS and SBSI, we now have a strong cybersecurity culture, and I handle audits and exams much better.
David Fournier
Information Security Officer
FM Bank, Minnesota
The Hacker Hour was very informative and easy to follow!
Tim Cruickshank
IT Systems Manager
Farmers State Bank of Hamel, Minnesota
Hacker Hour engages attendees instead of just getting information going one way only!
Judy Murdoch
Arize Federal Credit, Pennsylvania Union, Pennsylvania
We saw great exam results after following recommendations from SBS.
Tammy Belt
Senior Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer & Chief Technology Officer
United Community Bank of West Kentucky, Inc., Kentucky
It was a very smooth process. There was very little hands-on involvement needed on my end. SBS provided a very comprehensive report.
Ben Stevens
IT Manager
Cumberland Federal Bank, FSB, Wisconsin
SBS is always professional and knowledgeable.
Tyler Neeriemer
Executive Vice President Technology & Security Officer
First Federal Bank & Trust, Wyoming
They have been great to work with in both audits and module training.
Angela Jesse
Vice President IT Support Manager
First Bank of the Lake, Missouri
The SBS audit process is comprehensive and well-structured. The field guide is user-friendly and easy to follow, and the auditors are both helpful and highly knowledgeable. As a result, we have successfully passed both state and federal audits.
Sierra Pittz
IT & Digital Banking Officer
Woodford State Bank, Wisconsin
This was an amazing webinar! Probably the best one I've sat in on. I can't wait to share the recording with my teammates.
Rochelle Bushman
Information Security Officer
Citizens Savings Bank, Iowa
By far the most impactful presentation I have been to in a very long time. I love the positive energy!
Sheila Christiansen
Vice President, IT Manager, & Security Officer
BankVista, Minnesota
Thanks to the consulting services, the quality of our IT audits has significantly improved. Their thorough examination of our systems provided valuable insights and recommendations.
The staff is knowledgeable and understands banking regulations well.
It's a great product. Everything is there that is needed.
The level of support, knowledge, and responsiveness that I receive from SBS has been exceptional! SBS has become a true partner for the bank and has been a pleasure to work with.
Maranda Baseler
SBS is helping us solve for the challenges of managing all the critical areas of our information security program through their TRAC software, which provides a centralized, easy-to-use platform. This software streamlines the overall management and provides so many useful tools.
Maranda Baseler
Their review doesn't just identify issues — it helps us understand why they matter in the context of regulatory expectations and real-world risk.
Bobby Heinze
Chief Information Security Officer
The Peoples Bank, Arkansas
Their engagements help strengthen our controls, improve our documentation, and better prepare us for examiner scrutiny.
Bobby Heinze
Chief Information Security Officer
The Peoples Bank, Arkansas
SBS CyberSecurity has helped set up our entire IT program, including audit, penetration tests, and tabletop testing to help us prepare for the worst.
Shelly Flaagan
Having them as an extension of the team ensures that we meet regulatory demands and allocate our resources to other critical tasks.
Ralph Czechowski
President & Chief Executive Officer
First Secure Community Bank, Illinois
SBS CyberSecurity identified some areas that needed improvements as well as needing additional details in our policies.
The help that I have received from the consultants has been worth every penny.
Lisa Boe
Not only do you get recommendations to benefit your program, SBS offers samples to help steer you in the right direction.
Britney Keele
Products are easy to navigate, and reporting is great!
Leah Jo More
Every single person I've come in contact with is so willing to go above and beyond to help me.
Melissa Collins
SBS is a seamless extension of our information security program and a true partner.
Maranda Baseler
As an IT officer, time is everything. SBS has always been able to answer my questions and provide me with what I need to better my security program.
Jill Mobley
They are really great to work with, and their reports are easy to follow along with to allow you to see what is wrong.
Rob Hansen
Our ISP/cyber program has never looked and functioned so good. I no longer worry about examiners reviewing our program.
Lisa Boe
We use their TRAC software for all our policies and risk assessments, as well as tracking action items from audit findings.
Lisa Boe
SBS is a breeze to work with. They tell you in specific terms what to expect, and that's exactly what happens.
Melissa Collins
Documentation is readily available, easy for the team to understand.
Leah Jo More
Their knowledge on these audits is tremendous.
SBS CyberSecurity is truly an essential partner in safeguarding our institution, and we deeply appreciate their continued support and expertise.
Will Locke
Information Security Officer
Citizens National Bank at Brownwood, Texas
Their thoroughness and attention to detail have proven to be invaluable in ensuring our compliance and preparedness to tackle the evolving threats related to IT and ACH.
Will Locke
Information Security Officer
Citizens National Bank at Brownwood, Texas
Rather than a "check-the-box" audit, SBS feels like a trusted partner that wants to help us improve — not just point out deficiencies. Their recommendations are realistic, well-explained, and defensible.
Bobby Heinze
Chief Information Security Officer
The Peoples Bank, Arkansas
They are very understanding of our size of bank, always willing to lend a helping hand, and respond very quickly.
Having the TRAC system is amazing! This platform houses our policies, risk assessments, and vendor management along with the action tracking.
The vulnerability scans are completed like clockwork with results available to use within a day of the completion of the scan.
The vCISO service has elevated our overall ISP with the expertise of our vCISO, the tools he uses, and training and guidance he provides our team.
SBS CyberSecurity is solving our inefficient information security officer duties and helping organize all the required documents that need board approval and need to be in place to be in compliance.
The audits are so proactive that we are able to find holes in our cyber program and fix them, prior to any regulatory exams.
Justin Petska
Vice President Commercial Lending & IT Officer
Hershey State Bank, Nebraska
The auditors are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They do a great job explaining what they are looking for and offer great insight on how to improve our cyber program.
Justin Petska
Vice President Commercial Lending & IT Officer
Hershey State Bank, Nebraska
It helps with completing tedious risk assessments and produces customized results that align with regulatory requirements, best practices, and the bank's strategic goals.
Wade Carlson
Information Security & User Experience
Lake Ridge Bank, Wisconsin
Through their vCISO program, we were partnered with a consultant that has been instrumental in the transition. I am able to feel confident going into exams and audits, knowing I am doing what we should be and then some.
Jenna Parmater
They are quick to respond, kind, and always treat you with respect. They have always been able to ease my fear and concerns into a learning opportunity.
Jenna Parmater
Their TRAC system keeps us organized and on track for updates.
SBS helped me create an information security program and everything that goes with it.
Crystal Schuman
Their TRAC product greatly simplifies the reporting and action items for our security policies.
SBS CyberSecurity has been able to help streamline our processes.
Gwen Loll
Due to our relationship with them, our regulatory audits have been a breeze with few findings, and those findings are minor or just recommendations.
Angela Jesse
The process was quick and easy during a very stressful time. The results included helpful ways to resolve the findings.
Shari Ziebell
I did not have to recreate the wheel to develop a comprehensive information security program. The TRAC software has all the components, including policies, that are easy to use.
Kim Praeuner
TRAC is very easy to use, and the features available are great.
The SBS vCISO service provides our bank with a dedicated InfoSec/cybersecurity consulting resource. SBS does banks, which is what separates them from other vendors who also provide this service.
Wade Carlson
Information Security & User Experience
Lake Ridge Bank, Wisconsin
TRAC is helping to streamline our program while maintaining a level of understanding that fits all across our management and board.
Jenna Parmater
I've worked with different companies that have performed our IT audits and security testing, but SBS seems to trump them all.
They have been instrumental in making sure we do not get written up during any of our exams.
Crystal Schuman
The online portal is very user-friendly and has lots of capabilities to help with risk assessments and reporting.
It is user-friendly and covers all necessary components of the banking industry.
Gwen Loll
SBS is willing to answer any of our questions and supply templates of policy/procedure to help us not only meet, but in some cases exceed, any recommendations that come our way.
Gwen Loll
They were upfront about costs, the time it would take, and the steps we would need to complete the process.
Avery McPherson
SBS provided us with recommendations for our program that we haven't received from other auditors.
If your bank is struggling to "keep on top" of all things cybersecurity and you do not have a full-time IT person on staff, SBS is your answer!
TRAC helps me keep organized with documents and offers templates to all the various IT policies.
They helped us recognize a flaw where the outside guest Wi-Fi could access the internal network, which we were quickly able to stop with their assistance while the test was being performed.
Jessica Rempel
IT Manager
Field Health System, Mississippi
SBS keeps us current with all exams.
Julie C.
SBS has been performing our external IT audit for a number of years, and we have had a great relationship. They are very transparent on things we need to work on.
Kelsey K.
Everyone at SBS CyberSecurity has the necessary industry knowledge to support our credit union and its needs.
Shauna Exstrom
Vice President of Corporate Administration
Arapahoe Credit Union, Colorado
TRAC helps manage all your policies, procedures, plans, reports, vendor review, and risk assessments. They provide top-notch, experienced consultants to help institutions understand how to best utilize TRAC for their organization.
SBS CyberSecurity has gone above and beyond during our three-year relationship with them.
They really make IT jargon understandable and manageable for us bankers.
Mary Beth Munoz
Their consultants are invaluable for a small bank to help in designing a program specific to your bank.
Kim Praeuner
The depth of testing they provide is like nothing I've seen from other vendors. SBS takes it a step further to show security gaps which were not discovered in the past.
Jeff Vetter
Using SBS for our IT audits and network testing has helped improve our overall network security and keeps us on top of regulatory changes.
Jeff Vetter
Having SBS CyberSecurity do my IT audit every year is a very painless process.
Keith Baker
Our Proven Penetration Testing Methodology
Our ethical hackers follow a six-step methodology to ensure thorough security penetration testing.
What You Receive
Every SBS Penetration Testing engagement includes:
Executive summary for senior management and boards
Detailed technical findings prioritized by risk
Clear remediation guidance aligned to controls and best practices
Findings walkthrough with an experienced security professional
What to Pair with Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is most effective when integrated into a broader risk management program. SBS CyberSecurity also offers:
COMPLEMENTARY SERVICE
Business Continuity Planning
Keep your business running smoothly in times of crisis with our business continuity planning and management services.
Learn More
COMPLEMENTARY SERVICE
Incident Response Planning
A clear, structured incident response plan reduces uncertainty and helps your team stay calm and in control.
Learn More
RELATED SERVICE
Vulnerability Assessment
Our vulnerability assessments help you find and fix security weaknesses before attackers can exploit them.
Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should penetration testing be performed?
Most regulatory frameworks require penetration testing at least annually and after significant changes to systems, applications, or infrastructure. Your examiner may specify additional expectations based on risk.
Will penetration testing disrupt operations?
SBS avoids testing techniques that could cause outages or instability. Engagements are carefully scoped and coordinated to minimize operational impact.
How long does a penetration test take?
The duration depends on scope and complexity, but most engagements include scoping, active testing, and reporting phases designed to meet regulatory timelines.
How is penetration testing scoped?
Scoping considers system size, complexity, regulatory requirements, and business risk. SBS works closely with your team to ensure testing is appropriately aligned.
What do examiners expect to see?
Examiners typically look for evidence that testing was risk‑based, independently performed, properly documented, and followed by remediation planning. SBS reports are designed with these expectations in mind.