As a CTO, keeping your organization’s network reliable, scalable, and secure is your responsibility. For network cybersecurity, routine monitoring is not enough. You should conduct VAPT testing, so that you can identify and fix security gaps inside configurations, access controls, and legacy systems areas.
In this blog, we will understand VAPT testing for Network Security, how it helps find network security gaps which helps prevent data breaches, service outages, compliance violations and financial losses that damage business reputation.
VAPT for Network Security
VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing) combines two important activities. Vulnerability Assessment focuses on identifying known weaknesses such as open ports, outdated services, misconfigurations, and weak network controls. Penetration Testing goes a step further by safely simulating modern attacks to see how an attacker could actually exploit those weaknesses to move across your network or gain unauthorized access.
VAPT testing, when applied to network security, evaluates your internal and external networks, firewalls, routers, VPNs, and connected systems as a whole. It lists technical issues and also shows how small gaps can be chained together into attack paths. For CTOs, this clarity helps prioritize fixes, reduce operational risk, and secure the network before attackers find the weak spots.
Common Network Security Gaps
Many organizations believe their network is secure because they have implemented basic controls. In reality, attackers often succeed by exploiting gaps that went unnoticed for years. VAPT testing helps uncover hidden network weaknesses before they turn into incidents.
Here are some of the most common network security gaps businesses overlook:
1. Open Ports and Exposed Services
Unused or poorly managed open ports can expose critical services to the internet. Attackers scan these entry points to identify vulnerable systems. VAPT testing reveals which ports should be closed or restricted to reduce your attack surface.
2. Weak Firewall and Router Configurations
Firewalls and routers are only effective when configured correctly. Misconfigured rules, overly permissive access, or outdated firmware can allow unauthorized traffic into the network. VAPT testing reviews these configurations to identify gaps that attackers can exploit.
3. Poor Network Segmentation
When internal networks of all systems are on the same network level with little or no segmentation, attackers can move freely once they gain access to one system. Proper segmentation limits lateral movement and reduces impact. VAPT testing shows how easily an attacker could jump between systems due to weak or missing segmentation.
4. Unsecured Internal Networks
Internal networks are often trusted by default, but this trust can be dangerous. Weak internal access controls, shared credentials, or unsecured services make it easier for insiders or compromised accounts to cause damage. VAPT testing evaluates internal network exposure from an attacker’s perspective.
5. Legacy Systems and Unpatched Devices
Older systems and devices that no longer receive updates are common targets for attackers. These systems often contain known vulnerabilities that are easy to exploit. VAPT testing helps identify outdated assets and highlights the risks they introduce to your network.
By identifying these overlooked gaps, VAPT testing gives businesses a clear roadmap to strengthen their network security and reduce real-world risk.
How Vulnerability Assessment Finds Network Security Gaps?
Vulnerability Assessment (VA) focuses on discovering weaknesses across your network. It gives you a clear picture of what assets you have and where the network security risks exist.
1. Network discovery and asset mapping
The Network Vulnerability Assessment starts by identifying all devices connected to your network, including servers, endpoints, routers, and shadow IT systems.
2. Port scanning and service identification
The Network Vulnerability Assessment scans for open ports and running services to understand what is exposed internally and externally. This helps identify unnecessary or risky services that increase the attack surface.
3. Detection of outdated software and misconfigurations
The Network Vulnerability Assessment checks systems for missing patches, outdated software versions, and configuration errors. These issues are often easy for attackers to exploit if left unaddressed.
4. Identifying weak encryption and protocols
The Network Vulnerability Assessment highlights the use of weak encryption, insecure protocols, or outdated security standards. Fixing these gaps helps prevent data interception and unauthorized access.
How Penetration Testing Validates Network Risks?
The Network Penetration Testing (PT) goes a step further by proving how real attackers could exploit the weaknesses found during the assessment. It shows theoretical risks like actual threat scenarios.
1. Simulating Modern Network Attacks
Ethical hackers attempt controlled attacks using techniques that mimic real threat actors. This shows how attackers could break into your network under real conditions.
2. Exploiting Weak Credentials and Misconfigurations
The Network Penetration Testing tests password strength, access controls, and configuration flaws to see how easily an attacker could gain entry or expand access.
3. Lateral Movement Within the Network
Once inside, network pentesters attempt to move across systems to see how far an attacker could go. This helps identify weak segmentation and trust boundaries.
4. Privilege Escalation Scenarios
Network Penetration Testing checks whether an attacker could gain higher privileges, such as admin access. These findings reveal high-impact risks that need immediate attention.
Together, Network Vulnerability Assessment and Network Penetration Testing provide a complete view of your network security, helping you fix weaknesses before attackers can exploit them.
Key Network Security Issues Validated Through VAPT
Network VAPT testing uncovers network security issues that often stay hidden during routine checks. These gaps can quietly expose your business to serious risk. Below are the security gaps that can be identified and remediated through Network VAPT.
1. Unauthorized Access Paths
Network VAPT identifies hidden entry points attackers can use to access your network. These paths often exist due to weak configurations or overlooked services.
2. Insecure Remote Access and VPNs
Network VAPT Testing reveals weaknesses in remote access setups, including VPN misconfigurations, weak authentication, and outdated encryption that attackers can exploit.
3. Internal Threat Exposure
Network VAPT shows how much damage an attacker or a malicious insider could cause after gaining internal access. This highlights gaps in network segmentation and trust controls.
4. Poor Logging and Monitoring in Network Devices
Many network devices fail to log or alert on suspicious activity. Network VAPT helps identify these blind spots so security teams can improve detection and response.
Impact of Network Security Gaps on Businesses
Network security gaps don’t just affect IT systems; they directly impact your business in the following ways:
1. Data breaches and Service Disruption
Attackers can steal sensitive data or disrupt critical services, leading to downtime and lost revenue.
2. Compliance and Regulatory Risks
Weak network security can result in failed audits, penalties, and non-compliance with industry regulations.
3. Financial and Reputational Damage
Beyond immediate financial losses, security incidents damage customer trust and brand reputation, which can take years to rebuild.
Get Expert Network VAPT Services from Peneto Labs
Peneto Labs has been empanelled by CERT-In to conduct information security auditing services. At Peneto Labs, our experienced network security testers with deep technical knowledge perform vulnerability scanning and network penetration testing (VAPT) to identify attack paths, validate risks, and help you understand how vulnerabilities could impact your business.
With clear, business-focused reporting, remediation guidance, and FREE retesting Peneto Labs enables you to improve network defenses, reduce breach risk, and build a stronger security posture.
Conclusion
The Network VAPT testing plays a critical role in identifying and validating network security risks before attackers can exploit them. It goes beyond surface level checks to expose real attack paths and high impact vulnerabilities.
By making Network VAPT a regular part of your cybersecurity strategy, you improve your defenses, reduce business risk, and support continuous security improvement. Partnering with expert VAPT providers like Peneto Labs ensures you gain accurate insights, clear guidance, and stronger network security over time.