Penetration Testing made simple. What it is and why it matters

CREST-Accredited Penetration Testing for NHS Organisations

Cyber threats, ransomware, and phishing emails are starting to look increasingly convincing, and you’d be forgiven for wondering whether your digital defences are really up to scratch.

For NHS organisations especially, where patient data and operational uptime are critical, there’s no room for guesswork.

That’s where Penetration Testing comes in.

At M8 Solutions, we’ve taken the confusion out of Cyber Security testing by designing straightforward, CREST-accredited testing services that focus on real risks, real environments, and real-world results.

What Exactly is a Penetration Test? 

Think of it as a ‘safe attack’ or 'ethical hacking'. Our CREST-certified Penetration Testing experts simulate the techniques real attackers might use to test how well your systems, staff, and policies stand up under pressure. The goal? To find the gaps before someone else does, reducing your cyber risk and providing your organisation with the assurance it requires.

It’s not about catching your employees out or ticking legislation boxes. It’s about improving your resilience in a way that’s practical, focused, and tailored to your actual operating environment – whether you’re an NHS organisation or a growing SME.

What Makes M8 Solutions Penetration Tests Different?

We’re CREST Accredited

It means our CREST certified testers meet strict industry standards, from methodology and ethics to reporting and remediation. (https://www.crest-approved.org/)

Tailored, Not Templated

We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll help you choose the most relevant tests for your risks, compliance needs, and budget.

Plain-English Reporting

No tech waffle. Our reports are structured for both technical teams and exec boards, with clear risk ratings, evidence, and practical remediation advice.

What Types of Penetration Tests Can You Choose From?

We offer a range of focused assessments:

Bespoke Testing

Some clients need specialist services, including:

• Web Application Testing (e.g. customer portals)
• Internal Infrastructure Testing (inside your network)
• Cloud Environment Reviews (e.g. Azure, AWS)

These are fully tailored, scoped by our experts, and priced accordingly. A popular choice with the NHS specifically for the CAF aligned DSPT annual Penetration Test. 

Microsoft 365 Security Testing

We review your Microsoft 365 setup to spot weak spots and misconfigurations.

What we check:

- SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive settings

- User permissions

- Access policies and secure configuration standards (e.g. CIS Benchmarks)

- Hidden risks - like former staff who still have access

Why you might need it:

- You use Microsoft 365 (or Google Workspace - we can check that too!)

- You want to align with National Cyber standards

- You don’t have a full-time IT security team

Duration: Typically 3 days

Stolen Laptop Assessment

We simulate what could happen if someone stole a company laptop.

What we check:

- How easy it is to access your company data
- Whether users or devices are properly protected
- How well your security policies actually work

Why you might need it:

- Your team works remotely or takes devices home
- You handle sensitive data
- You want to prevent reputational and financial damage from a lost device

Duration:  Typically 3 days

External Attack Surface Assessment

We look at your organisation from the outside, just like a real hacker would.

What we check:

- Your public IP addresses
- Your main website
- Email and DNS (domain name) configurations
- Any data about your organisation already visible online or on the dark web

Why you might need it:

- You’ve never had a Penetration Test before

- You want to see what cybercriminals can find and do from the outside

- You need to demonstrate due diligence for insurance, regulators, or clients

Duration: Typically, 3 days

Human Attack Simulation

We simulate real-world tactics used by attackers to trick your people.

What we do:

- Call your helpdesk pretending to be a colleague
- Try to get passwords reset
- Impersonate finance contacts to request bank detail changes
- Compare what happened vs. your actual security policies

Why you might need it:

- You’ve seen stories about attacks on the news (e.g. M&S, Co-op, Harrods)

- You want to test your frontline staff and policies

- You’re worried about human error, not just technology

Duration: Typically 3-5 days (Bespoke)

Ready to Strengthen Your Digital Defences?

To support your organisation meet the CAF aligned DSPT requirements for A2.b assurance* activities, we're here to help.

Our promise? No unnecessary costs, no technical jargon...

Just practical, value-driven cyber assurance delivered by people who genuinely care.

Why NHS Organisations Trust M8 Solutions

Read more of our Cyber Security testimonials HERE

Or Download our Penetration Testing datasheet HERE

 

We understand the operational realities of working in live NHS environments therefore we understand the importance to work collaboratively, flexibly, and professionally throughout.

 

If you'd like to hear more information to understand the world of Pen Testing, let’s chat.

 

*A2.b Assurance: https://digital.nhs.uk/cyber-and-data-security/guidance-and-assurance/caf-aligned-dspt-guidance/objective-a/risk-management/