Knowledge base

October 20, 2025

Penetration test – Cybersecurity customized

 

Cyber threat grows – are you prepared?

Cyber attacks on Dutch companies continue to rise. According to CBS, 1 in 5 organizations has experienced a cyber incident in the past 12 months. Yet many vulnerabilities remain under the radar.

Therefore, a penetration test – a controlled ethical hack – is the way to test the digital resilience of your organization. ALTA-ICT offers a unique approach: performed manually by certified specialists, fully tailored to your infrastructure and sector.

In this blog you will read:

  • What a penetration test entails

  • Why it is crucial for Dutch companies

  • What our process looks like – from intake to reporting

  • How to achieve concrete results with ALTA-ICT

What is a penetration test?

A penetration test (or pen test) is a simulated attack on your IT systems designed to expose vulnerabilities before malicious actors do. Consider:

  • Insecure web applications

  • Unpatched servers

  • Poor access security

At ALTA-ICT, we go beyond a standard scan:

  • We test to recognized standards (NIST, OWASP, PTES, PCI DSS)

  • We use scenarios such as black box, grey box or white box

  • Every project is customized – no technical restrictions

For Dutch companies, this is essential because of:

  • Stringent AVG and NEN7510 requirements

  • Increasing DDoS attacks and data breach risks

  • Insurance requirements in cyber policies

 

This is how ALTA-ICT performs a penetration test – our approach

 

1. Intake & scope determination.

We start with an in-depth intake. What needs to be tested? Think about networks, applications, cloud environments or mobile apps. Here we take into account compliance requirements such as ISO27001 or BIO guidelines.

 

2. Preparation & planning

Access management, communication and involvement of your IT team are established. We provide a transparent test plan so that your business operations remain uninterrupted.

 

3. Implementation – realistic attacks

Our certified red team specialists run the test manually. No automation – just clever simulations that mimic real threats, such as privilege escalation, SQL injections or social engineering attempts.

 

4. Reporting – clear and applicable

You will receive:

  • Management reporting: executive summary

  • Technical report: complete vulnerability list with fixes
    Includes a free re-test to verify that your improvements are working.

 

5. Guidance & improvement

Our specialists discuss results, priorities and solutions with your team. We also provide 24/7 support for questions or incidents.

 

Why choose ALTA-ICT?

At ALTA-ICT we combine Dutch market knowledge with international security expertise. Our approach is based on:

✅ ISO27001, ISO9001 & NEN7510 certified processes
✅ 100% manual penetration testing by certified professionals (CEH, OSCP, CRTP)
✅ Full reporting and retest included
✅ Always available for incident response – 24/7

We understand the complexities of compliance in sectors such as healthcare, government, SME and finance. Whether you need to demonstrate DigiD, NEN7510 or PCI-DSS – we support your team from start to finish.

 

Results: what does it deliver?

A penetration test with ALTA-ICT gives your organization:

  • Full understanding of vulnerabilities before harm happens

  • Clear recommendations, practical application

  • Evidence of compliance toward auditors, regulators and customers

  • Peace and confidence within your organization

 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is a pen test mandatory under the AVG?
Not explicitly, but it is a recommended measure under the principle of “privacy by design.”

How often should I perform a pen test?
At least annually or when major changes are made to your infrastructure.

Will my services be disrupted during the test?
No, we plan and test in such a way that your business operations continue.

What happens after the test?
You get advice AND a retest included, so you can be sure that everything is resolved.

Is it safe to have this test done?
Yes. We only work with verified professionals under NDA.

 

Ready for certainty?

Want to help your organization move safely into the future? Then schedule a free consultation with one of our cybersecurity specialists today.

📞 088-0333100
📧 info@alta-ict.nl
🌐 alta-ict.co.uk/free-consultation

Want to know more?

Get in touch
Digitale afbeelding met paarse achtergrond, 3D-schild met hangslot, tekst “Penetratietest”, ALTA-ICT logo rechtsonder.