Cloud penetration testing and security assessment for AWS, Azure and Google Cloud
For UAE companies running on AWS, Azure or Google Cloud. We find what's exposed and misconfigured, then prove which of those issues an attacker could use to reach your data or take over your account.
Why cloud attacks look different
Cloud attacks rarely need a clever exploit. They often start with something reachable that shouldn't be: a storage bucket left public, an access key committed to a code repository, a role with far more permissions than it needs. Each looks minor in a configuration report. Chained together, they can hand an attacker your data or your whole account.
What we test
- Identity and access. Who and what can do what: over-privileged users, roles and service accounts, and paths from a low-privilege foothold to admin.
- Exposed storage, secrets and keys. Public buckets and blobs, keys in code, images and environment variables, and secrets readable by the wrong roles.
- Network exposure. Security groups, firewall rules and public endpoints, including databases and admin interfaces reachable from the internet.
- Workloads. Virtual machines, containers and Kubernetes, and serverless functions, including what a compromised workload can reach.
- Logging and detection. Whether the actions we take during testing were logged, and whether anyone would have noticed.
Examples of what a cloud test looks for
Illustrative examples of the attack paths we test for, not findings from a client:
- An access key committed to a public code repository that still works, with read access to a storage bucket of customer exports.
- A serverless function whose role can create new users, so a bug in one function becomes admin access to the whole account.
- A database snapshot or disk image shared publicly by mistake.
- A Kubernetes dashboard or management API reachable from the internet.
- A developer role that can switch itself into a production admin role.
- Logging switched off in one region, so actions there go unnoticed.
Each of these can look minor on its own. The test shows whether they connect, and what an attacker would reach if they did.
Cloud security assessment vs cloud penetration testing
| Security assessment | Penetration testing | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Reviews your configuration against good practice | Uses what's found, the way an attacker would |
| What you get | A list of misconfigurations | Proof of which issues lead somewhere, and how far |
| Access | Read-only | A low-privilege starting point, agreed with you |
We do both. The configuration review gives you coverage; the hands-on testing tells you which fixes matter most.
How cloud testing works
- Scope. Which accounts, subscriptions or projects, which services, and whether we test production or a staging copy. You get a fixed quote.
- Access. Usually a read-only audit role for the configuration review and, for attack-path testing, a low-privilege user or workload to start from.
- Testing. Inside agreed windows, with an emergency contact on your side and nothing destructive in production.
- Report and retest. Every finding with proof and fix guidance for your provider, then a retest and an attestation letter once you've fixed.
AWS, Azure and Google Cloud testing rules
You don't need to ask your cloud provider before testing your own resources, but each has rules, and we follow them:
- AWS lets customers test its listed services without prior approval. Some activities, such as command-and-control simulation, still need approval. See the AWS penetration testing policy.
- Microsoft Azure doesn't require pre-approval, but testing must follow Microsoft's penetration testing rules of engagement.
- Google Cloud says you don't need to contact it before penetration testing your own projects. See the Google Cloud FAQ.
Testing the provider's own infrastructure is never in scope.
Cloud testing questions
Something else on your mind? Ask us on the scope call.
Do we need permission from AWS, Azure or Google Cloud?
Not for testing your own resources within their rules. AWS lists the services you can test without prior approval, Microsoft publishes rules of engagement for Azure, and Google Cloud says you don't need to notify it. We check the rules for your scope before testing starts.
Will cloud testing affect production?
We agree test windows and off-limits actions up front and avoid anything destructive. Much of the configuration review is read-only. If you prefer, we test a staging environment that mirrors production.
What access do you need?
For the configuration review, a read-only security audit role on the accounts in scope. For attack-path testing, a low-privilege starting point, such as a standard user or a workload identity, so we can show how far an attacker could get from there.
How long does a cloud penetration test take?
It depends on how many accounts and services are in scope. You get a firm timeline with the fixed quote after the scope call.
Do you test multi-cloud setups?
Yes. Many companies run AWS alongside Azure or Google Cloud, or cloud alongside on-premises systems. We scope them together, so you see attack paths that cross from one to the other.
Know where you're exposed.
Book a 20-minute scope call. We'll ask what you run, recommend what to test, and send a fixed quote.