Securing Your Data In a Borderless World
Cloud penetration testing is the vital process of challenging your cloud configurations to find weaknesses before hackers do.
Moving to the cloud offers incredible speed, but it introduces the dangerous assumption that your provider handles all your security. Believing this myth often leads to data breaches.
Here’s what cloud pentesting entails and why it’s essential for your security.
What Is Cloud Penetration Testing?
A cloud pentest is a simulated cyberattack designed to identify security gaps in your cloud infrastructure.
Unlike a standard network test, which focuses on servers and firewalls, a cloud test focuses on the specific components of cloud computing: storage buckets, permissions, APIs, and virtualisation settings.
At 7ASecurity, we assess your environment to ensure that a simple mistake, like leaving a storage bucket 'public,' doesn’t expose your entire customer database. We verify that your specific implementation of the cloud is secure against attackers.
The Myth of 'Shared Responsibility'
To understand why this testing is crucial, you must understand the 'Shared Responsibility Model.'
- The Provider's Job: They secure the cloud (the hardware, the building, the cables).
- Your Job: You secure what is in the cloud (your data, your passwords, your access controls).
If you misconfigure a server on AWS, Amazon is not responsible for the breach. You are. Cloud penetration testing validates that you have upheld your side of the bargain.
Why Is Cloud Pentesting Crucial for Your Business?
The statistics for cloud insecurity are alarming. An industry report showed a 136% increase in cloud attacks in the first half of 2025 compared with the entire 2024 year.
Here is why you can’t afford to skip this step.
1. Misconfiguration Is the Top Threat
Hackers rarely need to 'break' encryption anymore; they just look for unlocked doors.
Research shows that 15% of breaches begin with a simple misconfiguration, and 82% of these are driven by human error. A manual pentest identifies these human mistakes before they cause damage.
2. Identity Is the New Perimeter
In the cloud, your 'firewall' is often a username and password. Issues with Identity and Access Management (IAM) are a leading cause of compromise.
We test your user permissions to ensure that a compromised intern account can’t take down your entire company.
3. Compliance and Data Sovereignty
Regulations like GDPR, SOC 2, and PCI DSS typically require you to validate your security controls (where your data is stored and how you protect it). A professional cloud audit provides the evidence auditors need to sign off on your compliance.
How We Pentest Your Cloud
Effective cloud penetration testing goes beyond running a script. At 7ASecurity, we use a manual, expert-driven approach.
Step 1: Reconnaissance
We map out your cloud footprint. We look for exposed assets you might have forgotten about (shadow IT).
Step 2: Assessment
We check for misconfigurations, such as weak encryption or overly permissive access rights.
Step 3: Exploitation
We attempt to exploit these flaws safely. Can we access the database? Can we escalate our privileges to become an administrator?
Step 4: Reporting
We provide a clear, jargon-free report detailing exactly what we found and how to fix it.
Automated Scanners vs. Manual Testing
Many companies rely on automated tools (CSPM) to check their cloud. While useful for basic hygiene, these tools lack context. They can’t spot a logic flaw in your application that allows a user to access someone else's data.
7ASecurity specialises in manual testing. We think laterally, combining web application pentesting techniques with cloud-specific knowledge to find the complex vulnerabilities that automated tools miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permission from my cloud provider to test?
In most cases, for standard penetration testing on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, you don’t need prior approval.
However, you must adhere to their acceptable use policies. We handle this coordination for you.
What is the difference between a Cloud Audit and a Cloud Pentest?
A Cloud Audit typically reviews your settings against best practices (white box).
A Cloud Pentest actively tries to exploit those settings to prove risk (black or grey box). We often combine both for maximum security.
Will testing affect my live environment?
We take extreme care to avoid disruption. We test specifically to identify risk without taking systems offline.
How much does it cost?
Cost varies based on the size of your environment and the number of services used. However, considering the average cloud breach costs over $5 million, testing is a small fraction of the potential loss.
Secure Your Infrastructure Today
The cloud is powerful, but it’s unforgiving of mistakes. A single unchecked setting can leave your business exposed to the world. Cloud penetration testing gives you the visibility you need to close those gaps.
Don't wait for a criminal to find your data. Partner with 7ASecurity to ensure your cloud environment is as secure as you think it is.
Your cloud provider secures the server. We secure your data.
