Network Security Assessment Services
Identify vulnerabilities in your network infrastructure before attackers do. PTG's comprehensive network security assessments protect businesses across the Research Triangle and nationwide.
Key Takeaways
- A network security assessment systematically identifies vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and security gaps across your entire network infrastructure
- PTG has completed 2,500+ security engagements with zero breaches on managed clients since 2002
- Assessments are required by HIPAA, CMMC, PCI DSS, SOC 2, and other compliance frameworks
- Our assessments cover internal networks, perimeter defenses, wireless infrastructure, cloud configurations, and endpoint security
What Is a Network Security Assessment?
A network security assessment is a systematic evaluation of your organization's network infrastructure, identifying vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and security gaps that could be exploited by threat actors. Unlike a simple vulnerability scan that produces an automated report, a professional network security assessment combines automated scanning tools with expert analysis to evaluate your network's actual risk posture in the context of your business operations, compliance requirements, and threat landscape.
At Petronella Technology Group, our network security assessments are conducted by Craig Petronella's team of certified analysts who bring 24+ years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity and digital forensics. Craig, an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License# 604180-DFE) and MIT-certified cybersecurity professional, personally oversees every assessment to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. As Craig details in his book How Hackers Can Crush Your Business, the most devastating breaches often exploit simple network misconfigurations that a proper assessment would have identified weeks or months before the attack.
Our assessments go beyond checking boxes. We evaluate your network through the eyes of a real attacker, testing firewalls, switches, routers, wireless access points, VPN configurations, segmentation policies, DNS settings, and access control lists. We then deliver a prioritized remediation roadmap that tells you exactly what to fix first based on actual risk, not theoretical severity scores. This approach has helped 2,500+ businesses strengthen their security posture, and we maintain a record of zero breaches among clients following our managed security program.
Whether you need an assessment to meet HIPAA compliance requirements, prepare for CMMC certification, satisfy your cyber insurance carrier, or simply understand where your network stands, PTG delivers actionable results within days, not weeks.
Why Your Business Needs a Network Security Assessment
Most organizations discover their network vulnerabilities the hard way: after a breach. The average cost of a data breach in the United States exceeded $9.4 million in 2024, according to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report. A proactive network security assessment costs a fraction of that and identifies the exact weaknesses that attackers would target.
In our 24 years of protecting businesses across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and the greater Research Triangle, PTG has seen a consistent pattern: organizations that conduct regular network security assessments experience fewer security incidents, faster compliance audit cycles, lower cyber insurance premiums, and significantly reduced risk of data breaches. Organizations that skip assessments often face exactly the opposite outcomes.
Regulatory frameworks increasingly require network security assessments as a baseline control. HIPAA's Security Rule mandates risk assessments for covered entities and business associates. CMMC Level 2 requires assessment of all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls. PCI DSS requires quarterly vulnerability scans and annual penetration testing. SOC 2 Type II audits evaluate network security controls over a minimum six-month period. Without a documented network security assessment, achieving or maintaining compliance with any of these frameworks becomes significantly harder.
Cyber insurance carriers have also tightened their requirements. Many now require a current network security assessment as a condition for policy issuance or renewal. Some carriers offer premium discounts of 10-25% for organizations that demonstrate regular assessment practices. PTG's assessments are designed to satisfy these carrier requirements while providing genuine security value, not just a paper exercise for insurance purposes.
What Our Network Security Assessment Covers
Perimeter Security
Firewall rules and policies, IDS/IPS configurations, DMZ architecture, NAT settings, ingress and egress filtering, exposed services, open ports, and external attack surface mapping.
Internal Network
Network segmentation, VLAN configurations, inter-VLAN routing policies, switch security (port security, DHCP snooping, ARP inspection), internal routing protocols, and lateral movement potential.
Wireless Infrastructure
Wi-Fi encryption standards (WPA3/WPA2-Enterprise), rogue access point detection, guest network isolation, wireless intrusion detection, RADIUS authentication, and signal containment.
Cloud & Hybrid
Cloud security group configurations, IAM policies, VPN tunnel security, hybrid connectivity, cloud storage permissions, API security, and multi-cloud network architecture review.
Access Controls
Active Directory security, group policy effectiveness, privileged account management, multi-factor authentication coverage, password policies, and least-privilege enforcement.
Endpoint Security
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) coverage, patch management status, USB and removable media policies, host-based firewall rules, and endpoint compliance posture through our Managed XDR Suite.
Email & DNS
Email gateway security, SPF/DKIM/DMARC validation, DNS security extensions (DNSSEC), DNS filtering and monitoring, anti-phishing controls, and email encryption via our email security solutions.
Compliance Mapping
Gap analysis against applicable frameworks (HIPAA, CMMC, PCI DSS, SOC 2, NIST CSF, ISO 27001), control effectiveness scoring, and compliance-specific remediation recommendations using our ComplianceArmor platform.
Know Where You Stand Before Attackers Do
Our assessment identifies your actual vulnerabilities and delivers a prioritized remediation plan within days.
Schedule Your Assessment Call 919-348-4912Our Network Security Assessment Process
PTG's assessment methodology has been refined over 24 years and hundreds of engagements across healthcare, defense, legal, financial, and government sectors. Our process aligns with NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines and follows industry-standard methodologies including OWASP, PTES, and MITRE ATT&CK.
Scoping & Discovery
We begin with a detailed scoping session to understand your network architecture, business operations, compliance requirements, and specific concerns. We identify all network assets including on-premise infrastructure, cloud environments, remote access points, IoT devices, and OT systems. This step ensures our assessment covers your complete attack surface, not just the assets you remember to mention.
Automated Scanning & Manual Testing
Our team deploys enterprise-grade scanning tools to map your network topology, identify open ports and services, detect known vulnerabilities, and test configurations against security benchmarks. We complement automated scanning with manual testing by our certified analysts who evaluate logical vulnerabilities, authentication weaknesses, and configuration errors that scanners miss. This dual approach catches issues that automated-only assessments overlook.
Risk Analysis & Prioritization
Raw vulnerability data is meaningless without context. Our analysts evaluate each finding against your specific environment: how likely is exploitation, what would the impact be, and what compensating controls exist? We assign risk ratings based on actual business impact, not just CVSS scores. Findings that could lead to a data breach, compliance violation, or operational disruption are flagged as critical. Issues that are theoretical or mitigated by existing controls are appropriately deprioritized.
Reporting & Remediation Roadmap
You receive a comprehensive report with an executive summary for leadership, detailed technical findings for your IT team, and a prioritized remediation roadmap. Each finding includes the vulnerability description, evidence of discovery, potential business impact, specific remediation steps, and estimated effort. We present findings in person or via video call and answer every question. For clients on our managed IT services program, we can implement the remediation plan directly.
Validation & Ongoing Support
After remediation is complete, we perform a validation scan to confirm that identified vulnerabilities have been successfully addressed. For organizations with recurring assessment requirements, we offer quarterly or annual assessment programs that track your security posture over time and measure improvement. Clients on our SOC as a Service program receive continuous network monitoring between assessments.
Network Security Assessment vs. Other Security Services
Understanding the differences between security services helps you choose the right approach for your organization. Many businesses confuse assessments with vulnerability scans or penetration testing. Each serves a different purpose.
| Service | Scope | Depth | Output | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network Security Assessment | Entire network infrastructure | Comprehensive analysis + manual review | Prioritized remediation roadmap | Baseline security posture, compliance readiness |
| Vulnerability Scan | Known CVEs and misconfigurations | Automated scanning only | Vulnerability list with severity scores | Quarterly compliance checks, patch validation |
| Penetration Test | Specific systems or attack scenarios | Active exploitation attempts | Exploit evidence and impact analysis | Testing defenses against real attack techniques |
| Risk Assessment | Business processes and data flows | Policy and process review | Risk register with treatment plans | Compliance documentation, board reporting |
PTG offers all four services. Many clients begin with a network security assessment to establish their baseline, then add regular vulnerability assessments and annual penetration testing as their security program matures.
Who Needs a Network Security Assessment
Every organization with a network infrastructure benefits from regular security assessments. However, certain industries and situations make assessments especially critical. PTG has deep experience serving the following sectors across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and nationwide:
- Healthcare organizations subject to HIPAA Security Rule requirements, including hospitals, medical practices, dental offices, and business associates. Craig's book How HIPAA Can Crush Your Medical Practice (2026 Edition, 4.0 stars, 28 Amazon reviews) details the specific network security controls HIPAA demands.
- Defense contractors pursuing or maintaining CMMC 2.0 certification, which requires assessment of all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls. As a CMMC Registered Practitioner, Craig understands the exact assessment scope C3PAOs evaluate.
- Financial services firms subject to PCI DSS, SOC 2, or FTC Safeguards Rule requirements, where network segmentation and access controls are heavily scrutinized during audits.
- Law firms handling sensitive client data and privileged communications. As Craig explains in How Hackers Can Crush Your Law Firm (5.0 stars on Amazon), legal practices face uniquely targeted attack campaigns.
- Manufacturing companies with operational technology (OT) networks that require segmentation from IT networks to prevent production disruptions.
- Any organization that has experienced a merger, acquisition, office move, major IT infrastructure change, or cyber insurance renewal.
What Our Clients Say
"Petronella's work has been a major factor in our business success, helping it to become one of the most secured networks of its kind on the Internet. I can confidently recommend Craig's company and its services as experts in their field."
Don't Wait for a Breach to Discover Your Vulnerabilities
Our team has protected 2,500+ businesses with zero breaches on managed clients. Let us assess yours.
Request Free Consultation Call 919-348-4912Why Choose Petronella Technology Group
24+ Years of Experience
Founded in April 2002, PTG has completed thousands of security assessments across healthcare, defense, legal, financial, and government sectors. Our methodology is battle-tested and continuously refined.
Expert-Led Analysis
Assessments are conducted under Craig Petronella's oversight — an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner, CMMC Registered Practitioner, MIT-certified cybersecurity professional, and author of 15 books on cybersecurity and compliance.
ComplianceArmor Integration
Assessment findings map directly to compliance requirements through our proprietary ComplianceArmor platform, which automates gap analysis, evidence collection, and remediation tracking for CMMC, HIPAA, SOC 2, and PCI DSS.
Actionable Results
We deliver prioritized remediation roadmaps, not just vulnerability lists. Every finding includes specific steps, estimated effort, and business impact. For managed IT clients, we implement the fixes directly.
Zero-Breach Track Record
2,500+ businesses trust PTG. Zero breaches among clients following our managed security program. BBB A+ rated since 2003. Rated 4.8 stars by 143+ customers on TrustIndex.
Local + National
Headquartered in Raleigh, NC with deep roots in the Research Triangle. We serve clients in Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, and nationwide with the same hands-on approach and rapid response times.
Common Network Vulnerabilities We Discover
After conducting thousands of network security assessments since 2002, certain patterns emerge consistently. These are the vulnerabilities our team finds most frequently across organizations of all sizes:
Flat Network Architecture
Many organizations run a single flat network without segmentation, allowing an attacker who compromises one device to move laterally across the entire environment. Proper segmentation isolates critical systems, limits blast radius, and is required by HIPAA, PCI DSS, and CMMC.
Unpatched Systems and Firmware
Firewalls, switches, and routers running outdated firmware with known vulnerabilities. Servers and workstations missing critical security patches. Our assessments frequently find devices months or years behind on updates, each representing a potential entry point.
Weak or Default Credentials
Network devices using default manufacturer passwords, service accounts with weak credentials, lack of multi-factor authentication on administrative interfaces, and shared credentials among IT staff. These issues account for a significant percentage of successful breaches.
Excessive Open Ports and Services
Unnecessary services running on servers, overly permissive firewall rules accumulated over years, and legacy ports left open for applications that were decommissioned but never cleaned up. Every open port is a potential attack vector.
Inadequate Logging and Monitoring
Networks generating logs that nobody reviews, missing audit trails for critical systems, or no centralized log management at all. Without proper logging, breaches can persist for months undetected. PTG's SOC as a Service addresses this gap through 24/7 monitoring.
Insecure Remote Access
VPN configurations using outdated protocols, remote desktop exposed directly to the internet, lack of MFA on remote access solutions, and split tunneling that bypasses security controls. Remote access misconfigurations are one of the primary attack vectors exploited in ransomware campaigns.
As Craig discusses on the Encrypted Ambition podcast (90+ episodes on cybersecurity and digital resilience), these vulnerabilities are not theoretical. Every one of them has been exploited in real attacks against businesses PTG has subsequently helped recover through our digital forensics and incident response services.
Network Security Assessments and Compliance
Network security assessments satisfy requirements across multiple compliance frameworks. PTG's assessments are specifically designed to generate evidence and documentation that auditors accept, reducing the time and cost of your compliance program. Our ComplianceArmor platform maps assessment findings directly to framework controls.
| Framework | Assessment Requirement | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| HIPAA | Security Rule §164.308(a)(1) — Risk Analysis (required) | Annual minimum, recommended quarterly |
| CMMC 2.0 | Assessment of 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls for Level 2 | Triennial C3PAO assessment + annual self-assessment |
| PCI DSS | Requirement 11 — Regular testing of security systems | Quarterly vulnerability scans, annual penetration testing |
| SOC 2 | CC7.1 — Monitoring of infrastructure and software | Continuous monitoring, annual audit period minimum |
| NIST CSF 2.0 | Identify and Protect functions — asset management and risk assessment | Ongoing, with periodic formal assessments |
| ISO 27001 | Annex A.12.6 — Technical vulnerability management | As part of ISMS implementation and surveillance audits |
PTG's compliance consulting team has completed 340+ healthcare security audits and helps organizations across healthcare, defense, legal, and financial services achieve and maintain certification. Learn more about our compliance services or explore specific frameworks like SOC 2 consulting and PCI consulting.
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Download Free GuideFrequently Asked Questions
How long does a network security assessment take?
A typical assessment takes 1-2 weeks from scoping to final report delivery. The active scanning and testing phase usually takes 3-5 business days depending on network size and complexity. We schedule all scanning activities to minimize disruption to your operations and can perform testing during off-hours if needed. Emergency assessments can be expedited for organizations that have experienced a suspected breach or face an imminent compliance deadline.
How much does a network security assessment cost?
Assessment costs vary based on network size, number of locations, compliance requirements, and assessment depth. PTG offers assessments starting from small single-office networks to large multi-site enterprise environments. We provide detailed scoping and transparent pricing before any work begins. Many organizations find that the cost of an assessment is a fraction of what a single security incident would cost in downtime, legal fees, and remediation. Contact us at 919-348-4912 for a customized quote.
Will the assessment disrupt our business operations?
Our assessment methodology is designed to be non-disruptive. Passive reconnaissance and configuration reviews have zero impact on operations. Active scanning is performed during approved windows and uses throttled scan rates to avoid affecting network performance. We communicate with your IT team throughout the process and immediately alert you to any critical findings that require urgent attention, rather than waiting until the final report.
What is the difference between a network security assessment and a penetration test?
A network security assessment evaluates your overall security posture across the entire network infrastructure, identifying vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and gaps in security controls. A penetration test goes further by actively attempting to exploit specific vulnerabilities to determine real-world impact. Many organizations start with an assessment to understand their baseline, then use penetration testing to validate their defenses against specific attack scenarios. PTG offers both services.
How often should we conduct network security assessments?
At minimum, conduct a comprehensive assessment annually. Organizations in regulated industries should assess quarterly or after any significant infrastructure change. Triggers for ad-hoc assessments include office moves, mergers and acquisitions, major technology deployments, security incidents, compliance audit preparation, and cyber insurance renewals. PTG offers annual assessment programs that include quarterly check-ins and continuous monitoring through our Managed XDR Suite.
Do you provide remediation services after the assessment?
Yes. PTG provides both assessment and remediation services. For clients on our managed IT services program, we implement remediation directly as part of the engagement. For other clients, our remediation roadmap includes specific steps, estimated effort, and priority rankings so your internal IT team or another provider can execute the fixes. We also offer validation scanning after remediation to confirm that vulnerabilities have been successfully addressed.
Can the assessment results be used for compliance documentation?
Absolutely. Our assessment reports are specifically designed to satisfy compliance documentation requirements for HIPAA, CMMC, PCI DSS, SOC 2, NIST, and ISO 27001. Findings map directly to framework controls through our ComplianceArmor platform, generating the evidence and gap analysis documentation that auditors and assessors expect. Craig Petronella, a CMMC Registered Practitioner, ensures our assessment methodology aligns with current compliance standards.
Ready to Assess Your Network Security?
Contact Petronella Technology Group for a free consultation. Serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and businesses nationwide since 2002.
Schedule Free Consultation Call 919-348-4912