FAQs
Have Questions?
How often should a Houston small business do a penetration test?
Most small businesses benefit from an annual external pen test, with an internal test every two years. Companies handling regulated data, like healthcare practices or accounting firms, often test more frequently. Cyber insurance carriers and compliance frameworks usually drive the cadence.
What is the difference between a pen test and a vulnerability scan?
A scan checks for known weaknesses across your systems and produces a list. A pen test takes that list and tries to use it. Testers look for how issues chain together into a real attack. A scan tells you what is broken. A pen test tells you what an attacker would do with what is broken.
Does penetration testing cause downtime?
Quality penetration testers know the difference between testing and breaking. CinchOps coordinates tests during off-peak windows when needed and uses techniques that confirm exploitability without disrupting business operations. Any test that could affect production is scoped and scheduled in advance.
What does a Houston small business penetration test cost?
Cost varies with scope: external only, internal added, web application, Microsoft 365 configuration, phishing simulation, or a combination. Most small business engagements run for one to three weeks of active testing plus reporting. CinchOps scopes the work to your environment and your specific questions.
Do you provide a report I can give to my cyber insurance carrier?
Yes. Reports include an executive summary, technical findings with severity ratings, evidence of exploitation where applicable, and remediation guidance. Cyber insurance carriers and auditors accept this format. CinchOps also retests fixed issues so you can document closure.