Penetration Testing Services UK

In 2026, UK organisations face an uncomfortable reality: cyberattacks are no longer a matter of “if” but of “when.” Critical vulnerabilities and ransomware incidents have surged, data breaches make headlines weekly, and regulatory bodies like the ICO are holding businesses accountable for inadequate security measures. For small and mid-sized UK businesses running WordPress and WooCommerce websites, the stakes are particularly high.

At Cude Design, we partner with specialist UK-based ethical hackers to deliver penetration testing that protects the WordPress and WooCommerce websites we design, host, and maintain. This isn’t about ticking compliance boxes; it’s about genuinely understanding where your digital infrastructure is vulnerable before attackers find out for you.

Penetration testing goes far beyond basic vulnerability scanning. It uses manual attack techniques that reflect real-world UK threat actors, uncovering security flaws that automated tools simply miss. Whether you’re preparing for GDPR accountability, working towards Cyber Essentials Plus certification, or responding to sector-specific requirements from the FCA or NHS DSPT, a properly scoped pen test provides the evidence and insights you need.

What you’ll learn in this guide:

• The types of penetration testing available to UK businesses and when each applies
• How our UK penetration testing methodology works from scoping to remediation
• Why SMEs and growing brands benefit just as much as enterprises
• Realistic penetration testing cost expectations and timelines
• How Cude Design integrates pen testing with WordPress development and hosting

Key outcomes from professional penetration testing:

• Identify security vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them
• Meet regulatory compliance requirements with documented evidence
• Protect customer data, payment information, and business reputation
• Receive actionable remediation guidance that translates directly into fixes
• Build trust with clients, partners, and procurement teams

Why UK Businesses Need Penetration Testing in 2024

The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reported a significant rise in cyber incidents targeting British businesses throughout 2023-2024, with attacks becoming more sophisticated and financially damaging. For small and mid-sized organisations, the consequences of a breach extend far beyond immediate financial loss; they include regulatory fines, legal exposure, and lasting reputational damage.

If you’re running a WordPress website, WooCommerce store, or cloud-hosted system, you’re operating within an attack surface that threat actors actively target. Understanding why regular penetration tests matter starts with recognising the specific risks facing UK businesses today.

Regulatory drivers

• GDPR requires “appropriate technical and organisational measures” to protect personal data, penetration testing demonstrates due diligence to the ICO
• Cyber Essentials Plus certification includes vulnerability assessments, and many procurement processes now mandate this certification
• PCI DSS requires regular security testing for any business processing card payments through WooCommerce or other platforms
• Sector-specific frameworks (FCA, NHS DSPT, ISO 27001) increasingly expect independent security assessments

Typical attack scenarios

• Credential stuffing attacks targeting WordPress admin panels and customer accounts
• Plugin vulnerabilities were exploited within hours of public disclosure
• Phishing campaigns leading to account takeover and subsequent lateral movement
• API abuse targeting WooCommerce REST endpoints to extract customer or order data
• Card-skimming malware was injected into compromised checkout pages

Impact on reputation

• Customer trust evaporates quickly after a publicised breach
• B2B clients and enterprise buyers increasingly require security evidence during procurement
• Search engines may flag compromised sites, damaging SEO and organic traffic
• Recovery costs typically exceed prevention investments by significant margins

Consider a Surrey-based professional services firm holding sensitive client data, or a UK eCommerce store processing hundreds of transactions daily. A missed vulnerability on a publicly facing WordPress site can lead to compromise of internal systems, cloud environments, and ultimately critical data. The question isn’t whether your organisation is a target, it’s whether you’ve identified security weaknesses before someone else does.

Types of Penetration Testing Services We Help Deliver

Cude Design focuses on web and application layers, WordPress, WooCommerce, and bespoke portals, while partnering with specialist UK cyber security firms for broader infrastructure assessments. This means you get expert testing across your entire digital estate with a single point of coordination for fixes and follow-up.

Penetration testing services in the UK cover multiple disciplines, each addressing different attack vectors and business risks. Tests can be one-off engagements timed around specific events (site launches, office moves, compliance audits) or part of an ongoing security improvement programme for growing businesses.

Main test types available in the UK market:

• Network (internal & external): Testing perimeter defences and internal segmentation
• Web application: Assessing custom-built and WordPress-based websites
• Cloud: Evaluating AWS, Azure, GCP, and managed hosting configurations
• Wireless: Testing office Wi-Fi and remote access security
• Social engineering: Simulating phishing and human-focused attacks
• Mobile & API: Examining apps and interfaces connected to your systems

Network (Internal & External) Penetration Testing

External network penetration testing simulates attacks from the public internet against your perimeter assets, VPN gateways, and remote access services used by UK staff. Testers use the same tools and techniques that real attackers employ, attempting to gain access through exposed services, misconfigured firewalls, or weak credentials.

Internal network testing assumes an attacker has already got inside, perhaps via a successful phishing email or a compromised device, and attempts to move laterally towards file servers, databases, or domain controllers. This is where many organisations discover their network infrastructure lacks proper segmentation.

Common findings in UK network tests:

• Open services on external networks that should be restricted
• Weak or reused passwords across multiple systems
• Outdated Windows Server versions with known exploitable vulnerabilities
• Poorly segmented VLANs allow unnecessary lateral movement
• Misconfigured Active Directory permissions enabling privilege escalation
• Exposed management interfaces (RDP, SSH) without multi-factor authentication
• Inadequate logging makes incident detection difficult

Typical deliverables:

• Risk-rated findings prioritised by business impact
• Asset inventory identifying previously unknown systems
• Network hardening recommendations for IT teams or MSPs
• Remediation guidance that minimises downtime during fixes

Web Application & WordPress Penetration Testing

This is Cude Design’s core focus area. We coordinate testing for custom WordPress themes, WooCommerce stores, membership sites, and bespoke portals built for UK clients. Whether you’re launching a new site or maintaining an established platform, web application testing reveals security flaws that could compromise customer data or business operations.

Common vulnerabilities assessed:

• SQL injection allows database access or manipulation
• Cross-site scripting (XSS) enables session hijacking
• Insecure direct object references (IDOR) expose unauthorised data
• Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) tricking authenticated users
• Weak authentication and authorisation logic
• Broken access controls on admin functions

WordPress-specific checks:

• Premium and custom plugin security review
• REST API endpoint assessment
• Admin access controls and user role permissions
• File upload mechanism security
• Theme vulnerabilities and outdated components
• wp-config.php and database credential exposure

Both automated scanning and in-depth manual penetration testing are used, with OWASP Top 10 serving as the baseline framework. Automated tools identify common issues quickly, while manual testing uncovers vulnerabilities that scanners miss, such as complex logic flaws, chained exploits, and business-specific attack paths.

Business scenarios we protect:

• Checkout flows on WooCommerce sites handling payment information
• Customer dashboards on client portals containing sensitive data
• Online booking systems process personal details
• Membership sites with restricted content and subscription data

Findings feed directly into Cude Design’s development backlog, allowing fixes to be deployed on staging environments, tested, and pushed to production quickly.

Cloud Penetration Testing (AWS, Azure, GCP & Managed Hosting)

Cloud penetration testing examines configuration and access controls across platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and the managed WordPress hosting providers used by Cude Design. As more UK businesses migrate to cloud infrastructure, misconfigurations become a significant source of security risk.

Typical issues uncovered:

• Misconfigured S3 buckets or Azure Blob storage exposing data publicly
• Overly permissive IAM roles granting unnecessary access
• Exposed management interfaces accessible from the internet
• Unsecured CI/CD pipelines allowing code injection
• Weak or missing encryption for data at rest and in transit
• Inadequate logging and monitoring configuration

Tests comply with the cloud provider’s rules of engagement while still assessing real attack paths, such as credential theft, token abuse, and privilege escalation, within cloud environments. For Cude Design’s managed hosting clients, this ensures that web servers, databases, and WordPress site backups are properly hardened and segregated.

Outcomes include:

• Improved identity and access management policies
• Hardened configurations aligned with cloud security best practices
• Clearer cloud architecture documentation
• Evidence for compliance audits and security questionnaires

Wireless & Remote Access Testing

Wireless penetration testing simulates attacks against office Wi-Fi networks, guest networks, and the home-working access arrangements used by UK staff. With hybrid working now standard across most sectors, wireless and remote access represent prime target systems for attackers seeking initial footholds.

Concrete checks performed:

• Weak WPA2/WPA3 passphrases are vulnerable to dictionary attacks
• Rogue access points mimicking legitimate corporate networks
• Lack of network segregation between guest and corporate SSIDs
• Captive portal bypass techniques
• VPN gateway vulnerabilities and authentication weaknesses
• Remote desktop gateway security and credential policies
• Cloud-based remote management tool configurations

Typical recommendations:

• Implementing certificate-based authentication for corporate Wi-Fi
• Segregating IoT devices from business-critical network segments
• Enforcing multi-factor authentication on all remote access
• Regular credential rotation and monitoring for anomalous access patterns

Social Engineering & Human-Focused Testing

Social engineering testing evaluates how your staff respond to targeted attacks, phishing emails, voice calls (vishing), or messaging lures designed to extract credentials or trigger malicious actions. These exercises measure security awareness and incident response capabilities without assigning blame.

Realistic UK scenarios tested:

• Fake HMRC communications demanding immediate action
• Supplier invoice fraud requesting payment detail changes
• Password reset lures targeting office managers or finance teams
• LinkedIn-based pretexting to gather internal information
• IT support impersonation calls requesting remote access

Exercises are carefully controlled with an agreed scope and objectives. The goal isn’t to catch people out, it’s to identify security weaknesses in processes, training, and technical controls that could be exploited by real attackers.

Example campaign:

In 2025, a phishing simulation for a 50-person Surrey-based professional services firm sent carefully crafted emails mimicking a popular UK document signing service. The exercise revealed that 18% of staff clicked the link, with 8% entering credentials. These insights drove targeted security awareness training and the implementation of email authentication controls, significantly reducing susceptibility in follow-up testing.

Mobile & API Penetration Testing

Mobile app testing covers iOS and Android applications connected to WordPress back ends, customer portals, or booking systems built or integrated by Cude Design. As mobile channels increasingly handle personal data and payment information, their security directly impacts business risk.

Mobile testing checks:

• Insecure local storage of credentials or sensitive data
• Weak API authentication and session management
• Improper certificate validation enables man-in-the-middle attacks
• Exposed debug endpoints and development features
• Reverse engineering vulnerabilities in app binaries

API penetration testing assesses:

• REST and GraphQL APIs used by front-end sites and mobile apps
• Authentication and authorisation flaws in API endpoints
• Rate limiting and abuse prevention controls
• Integration security with CRMs, payment gateways, and third-party services
• Data exposure through verbose error messages or improper filtering

Testing references OWASP Mobile Top 10 and OWASP API Top 10 frameworks, ensuring comprehensive coverage of emerging threats specific to these platforms.

Our UK Penetration Testing Methodology

Cude Design works with partners who follow well-recognised methodologies aligned with NCSC guidance and CREST standards, and adapt them to each client’s environment and risk profile. Whether you need a black box test (no prior knowledge, simulating real-world cyber attacks from external attackers), grey box (partial access), or white box assessment (full internal knowledge), the approach scales to your objectives and budget.

Every project begins with clear scoping and ends with collaborative remediation support. Where needed, retesting confirms that fixes have resolved the identified issues.

Scoping & Preparation

Effective penetration testing starts with understanding what you’re protecting and why. Scoping calls bring together business owners, IT leads, and key stakeholders to define exactly what’s in scope.

Information gathered during scoping:

• Domains, subdomains, and IP ranges to be tested
• Applications, APIs, and user roles requiring assessment
• Hosting details and infrastructure documentation
• Plugin lists and bespoke functionality for WordPress sites
• Business-critical periods to avoid (trading peaks, launches)
• Third-party integrations and data flows

Documentation prepared:

• Statement of work defining scope, approach, and deliverables
• Rules of engagement specifying boundaries and escalation procedures
• Points of contact for real-time communication during testing
• Maintenance windows to minimise business disruption
• Written permissions ensuring legal compliance under UK jurisdiction
• NDAs and data handling requirements (particularly for production data)

For WordPress and WooCommerce projects, this phase includes reviewing plugin lists, theme details, hosting configurations, and any bespoke functionality that might present unique attack surfaces. Typical UK SME scoping takes 1-2 weeks, depending on complexity.

Reconnaissance, Mapping & Vulnerability Analysis

Before attempting exploitation, testers build a complete picture of your attack surface through systematic reconnaissance and vulnerability identification.

Passive reconnaissance includes:

• OSINT gathering on domains and key personnel
• Searching for leaked credentials in breach databases
• Identifying exposed code repositories and configuration files
• Discovering old subdomains and forgotten assets
• Reviewing public cloud artefacts and metadata

Active reconnaissance covers:

• Port scanning across in-scope network ranges
• Service identification and version fingerprinting
• Application discovery and technology stack mapping
• Crawling websites to map functionality and user roles
• Identifying plugin attack surfaces for WordPress targets

Vulnerability analysis combines automated scans with manual inspection to build an initial risk picture. This identifies known security vulnerabilities, configuration weaknesses, and potential attack paths, all documented before any exploitation begins.

Exploitation, Privilege Escalation & Lateral Movement

With customer approval, CREST-certified penetration testers safely exploit selected vulnerabilities to demonstrate real-world impact. This phase shows what an attacker could actually achieve, not just what might theoretically be possible.

Exploitation activities include:

• Attempting to gain access through identified vulnerabilities
• Testing credential weaknesses and authentication bypasses
• Exploiting web application flaws to access backend systems
• Demonstrating data exposure or manipulation potential

Privilege escalation attempts:

• Moving from a low-privileged web user to an administrator
• Escalating from a compromised workstation to a domain admin
• Exploiting trust relationships between systems

Lateral movement scenarios:

• Using one compromised WordPress account to pivot into database access
• Moving from web server compromise to backup system access
• Jumping between cloud resources using stolen credentials

Real UK example (anonymised):

Testing of a Surrey eCommerce site revealed an insecure plugin that allowed a file upload bypass. Pen testers uploaded a web shell, gained server access, and discovered database credentials stored in plain text. This chained exploit demonstrated how a single plugin vulnerability could lead to complete database compromise, including customer payment data. The penetration test report enabled rapid remediation before any real attacker discovered the weakness.

Strict safeguards govern all testing: clear stop conditions, real-time communication with clients, and avoidance of disruptive actions like data deletion or production downtime.

Reporting, Remediation Guidance & Retesting

The penetration test report translates technical findings into actionable intelligence for both business leaders and technical teams.

Report structure includes:

• Executive summary in plain English for boards and senior management
• Technical findings with evidence and reproduction steps
• Risk ratings (critical, high, medium, low) based on exploitability and impact
• Practical remediation steps prioritised by risk
• Strategic recommendations for longer-term security improvements

For web application and WordPress findings, Cude Design converts issues directly into development tickets. Patches, code fixes, and configuration changes move through staging environments before production deployment, closing the gap between “issue found” and “issue fixed.”

Optional retesting:

After fixes are implemented, retesting confirms vulnerabilities are resolved and provides updated evidence for auditors, stakeholders, and compliance documentation. Reports are typically delivered within 5-10 working days after testing is complete, though this may vary depending on the scope.

Benefits of Penetration Testing for UK SMEs & Growing Brands

Penetration testing isn’t just for large enterprises with dedicated security teams. Small and mid-sized UK businesses, start-ups, and eCommerce brands face the same threats, often with fewer resources to recover from incidents.

Risk reduction:

• Uncover vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them
• Reduce the likelihood and impact of successful breaches
• Identify security weaknesses in new systems before deployment
• Build more effective incident response capabilities

Compliance & assurance:

• Demonstrate GDPR accountability with documented testing
• Support ISO 27001 certification and Cyber Essentials Plus
• Provide evidence for supplier due diligence and security questionnaires
• Meet sector-specific requirements (financial services, healthcare, legal)

Business growth & trust:

• Prove security posture to B2B buyers and enterprise clients
• Strengthen position in procurement processes requiring security evidence
• Improve cyber insurance negotiations with demonstrable risk management
• Protect brand reputation and customer relationships

Security, Compliance & Regulatory Alignment

For UK businesses, penetration testing directly supports regulatory compliance and reduces legal exposure. GDPR’s requirement for “appropriate technical and organisational measures” is difficult to demonstrate without an independent security assessment.

Regulatory alignment benefits:

• ICO expects organisations to regularly test security controls, pen testing provides evidence
• Cyber Essentials Plus requires vulnerability assessments; pen testing exceeds these requirements
• ISO 27001 audits look favourably on regular independent testing
• PCI DSS mandates security testing for card payment processing

Where this matters most:

• Financial services firms under FCA scrutiny
• Legal practices handling confidential client data
• Healthcare organisations subject to NHS DSPT
• Technology vendors facing enterprise procurement requirements
• Educational institutions processing student data

Even businesses with under 50 staff increasingly face security expectations in 2024 procurement processes. A comprehensive report from an independent penetration testing provider demonstrates professional cybersecurity measures that smaller competitors may lack.

Protecting WordPress, WooCommerce & Digital Revenue Streams

For businesses generating revenue online, penetration testing directly protects your income. A compromised WooCommerce site doesn’t just leak data, it loses sales, damages rankings, and destroys customer trust.

Revenue protection scenarios:

• Preventing checkout compromise and card-skimming malware
• Stopping SEO spam injections that tank search rankings
• Avoiding downtime during peak trading periods
• Protecting subscription content on membership sites
• Securing customer accounts from credential stuffing

Common issues revealed:

• Weak themes or plugins with known exploitable vulnerabilities
• Insecure custom code allowing database access
• Misconfigured hosting exposing backup files or credentials
• Inadequate access controls on admin functions

Real business impact examples:

• A hacked WooCommerce site in London is losing sales during Black Friday due to a payment page compromise
• A compromised membership site is leaking subscription content, triggering refund demands
• A defaced business website is damaging the professional reputation with existing clients

Cude Design’s combined design, development, hosting, and penetration testing coordination reduces the gap between vulnerability identification and resolution, minimising exposure time and business impact.

How Cude Design Integrates Penetration Testing With Web Design & Hosting

Cude Design isn’t a generic cybersecurity reseller. We’re a specialist WordPress and WooCommerce agency that builds, hosts, and supports sites with security embedded from the start. When you work with us, penetration testing becomes part of a coordinated security programme rather than an isolated exercise.

Our integrated workflow:

1. Site design and build with security-conscious development practices
2. Pre-launch security checks covering common configuration issues
3. Optional third-party penetration test before go-live
4. Direct remediation of findings within our development process
5. Production deployment with hardened configuration
6. Periodic re-tests after major changes or on regular schedules

Advantages for clients:

• Single accountable point of contact for testing and fixes
• No finger-pointing between developers and testers
• Faster remediation because we understand the codebase
• Security-conscious design decisions from day one
• Ongoing relationship supporting future testing requirements

Common engagement examples:

• New WooCommerce launch with pre-go-live web application pen test
• Annual testing for an established Surrey-based professional services firm
• Post-redesign assessment for a London agency’s client portfolio
• Incident response testing following a suspected compromise

Ongoing Maintenance, Patching & Security Hardening

Penetration test findings integrate directly into Cude Design’s support and maintenance plans. Security improvements don’t end when the test report arrives; they become part of your ongoing security posture.

Continuous improvements include:

• Monthly WordPress core, theme, and plugin updates
• Plugin audits removing unnecessary or vulnerable components
• Configuration hardening based on pen test recommendations
• Web Application Firewall (WAF) implementation and tuning
• Backup and recovery plan enhancements
• Multi-factor authentication enforcement for admin accounts

Detection and monitoring:

• Enhanced logging based on pen test insights
• Monitoring for suspicious login attempts and brute-force attacks
• Alerting on unusual administrative behaviour
• Regular review of access logs and security events

This ongoing cycle reduces the likelihood that the same vulnerability category reappears in future tests. Each assessment builds on previous work rather than starting from scratch.

Costs, Timelines & Practical Considerations in the UK

Understanding the cost of penetration testing helps UK businesses budget appropriately and set realistic expectations. Pricing varies significantly based on scope, complexity, and specific requirements.

Typical UK cost ranges:

Test Type	Typical Duration	Indicative Cost Range
Simple web application test	2-5 days	£3,000 – £8,000
WordPress/WooCommerce focused test	3-5 days	£4,000 – £10,000
External network test	3-7 days	£5,000 – £15,000
Internal network test	5-10 days	£8,000 – £25,000
Comprehensive multi-system assessment	2-4 weeks	£15,000 – £50,000+

Factors influencing price and timescales:

• Number of sites, applications, or IP ranges in scope
• Complexity of custom functionality and integrations
• Need for on-site work versus remote testing
• Regulatory requirements dictate specific testing standards
• Retesting and validation requirements
• Reporting detail and executive briefing needs

Practical considerations:

• Schedule testing during quieter trading periods to minimise risk
• Coordinate with hosting providers for necessary access and monitoring
• Ensure current backups are in place before testing begins
• Plan remediation time after receiving the detailed report
• Budget for potential retest to verify fixes

Contact Cude Design for a tailored quote based on your specific WordPress, WooCommerce, or broader infrastructure requirements.

Remote vs On-Site Penetration Testing in the UK

Most penetration testing in 2024 can be conducted remotely, reducing costs and simplifying logistics. However, certain scenarios benefit from on-site presence.

Remote testing is typically sufficient for:

• External web applications and WordPress sites
• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• WordPress sites hosted with UK providers
• API assessments
• SaaS application testing

On-site testing may be required for:

• Internal network assessments behind corporate firewalls
• Wireless penetration testing of office Wi-Fi networks
• Physical security assessments
• Air-gapped systems are not accessible remotely
• Tests requiring interaction with on-premises hardware

Remote testing advantages:

• Lower cost without travel expenses
• Faster scheduling and execution
• Secure VPN access maintains appropriate boundaries
• Temporary test accounts with audit trails
• Convenient for distributed or fully remote organisations

On-site testing advantages:

• Full access to internal network infrastructure
• Wireless testing of actual office environments
• Assessment of physical security controls
• Direct collaboration with on-site IT teams

Cude Design helps manage access provisioning for testers, maintaining strict least-privilege principles and comprehensive audit trails regardless of testing location.

How to Get Started With Penetration Testing Through Cude Design

Getting your WordPress or WooCommerce site tested doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s the straightforward process:

Step 1: Initial consultation Book a free consultation to discuss your current setup, hosting arrangements, and security concerns. We’ll help identify whether web application testing, broader infrastructure assessment, or an ongoing testing programme best fits your needs.

Step 2: Scoping discussion We’ll work through your target systems, key risks, and compliance requirements to define the appropriate scope. For WordPress sites, this includes reviewing plugins, custom functionality, and hosting configuration.

Step 3: Proposal and schedule You’ll receive a clear proposal covering scope, methodology, timescales, and costs. Testing dates are coordinated around your business calendar.

Step 4: Testing execution Our specialist partners conduct the pen test, maintaining communication throughout. You’ll know exactly what’s happening and when.

Step 5: Reporting and remediation You receive a detailed report with prioritised findings. For WordPress and WooCommerce issues, we translate findings directly into development tickets and implement fixes.

Step 6: Optional retest After remediation, retesting confirms vulnerabilities are resolved and provides clean documentation for stakeholders and auditors.

Cude Design acts as your strategic partner for both a strong digital presence and robust cybersecurity defences. Whether you’re launching a new site or strengthening an existing platform, we coordinate testing and remediation so you can focus on running your business.

Ready to strengthen your organisation’s security posture?

• Book a free consultation to discuss your WordPress or WooCommerce security requirements
• Request a site security review to understand your current risk profile
• Plan a pre-launch pen test for your upcoming website project

With over 15 years of experience and 100+ UK businesses served, Cude Design brings the expertise to protect your digital revenue streams while you focus on growth.