Penetration testing article

What a Cloud Penetration Test Includes

A cloud penetration test combines configuration review with controlled technical validation across the approved cloud environment. Work remains within the provider's testing policies and the customer's written authorization.

Assessment overview

What the assessment includes

Cloud accounts, subscriptions, projects, services, identities, and exclusions

Review of public exposure, network controls, storage permissions, and workloads

Assessment of identities, roles, secrets, and possible privilege paths

Logging and monitoring observations relevant to validated activity

Evidence from the cloud environment, prioritized corrective actions, and retest status

Test coverage

What is examined

Final coverage depends on the agreed systems, access, objectives, exclusions, and safety requirements.

Identity and access management

Public exposure and cloud network controls

Storage permissions and data paths

Workload and configuration of the management plane

Secrets and service identities

Logging, monitoring, and privilege escalation paths

Industry references

How coverage is informed

CIS Benchmarks

Configuration review criteria for the relevant cloud platform and services.

CIS Controls

Safeguard context for identity, assets, configuration, logging, and data protection.

Provider testing policies

Rules and limitations published by the relevant cloud service provider.

NIST SP 800-115

Technical assessment planning and reporting.

These references inform the assessment. Testing does not itself provide certification or guarantee compliance.

Final report

What is included in the report

The report is designed for both decision makers and the teams responsible for remediation.

Cloud scope and boundary record

Configuration findings and validated attack paths

Identity and exposure analysis

Prioritized corrective actions

Retest report

Discuss the required scope and report.

DIGITPOL HK will confirm the targets, constraints, evidence needs, and reporting requirements before testing.

Request an assessment