By Shaahid Mohamed Saleem| Zectrex Cybersecurity Blog | Updated: June 2025
In 2025, cybersecurity isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a business lifeline. With the rise in AI-driven attacks, insider threats, and ever-changing compliance requirements, penetration testing (or pentesting) is one of the most critical steps you can take to protect your assets. But not all tests are created equal.
Whether you’re prepping for SOC 2, ISO 27001, or simply tightening internal controls, here’s a simple, powerful penetration testing checklist you can use this year.
Penetration Testing Checklist (2025 Edition)
🔍 1. Define the Scope Clearly
Before firing up any tools, make sure you and your pentester are on the same page.
- Identify target systems (e.g., cloud, web app, internal network)
- Decide black-box, white-box, or grey-box testing
- Agree on test duration and rules of engagement
Pro Tip: Get legal approval. Document everything, especially if testing production systems.
2. Reconnaissance Phase (OSINT)
Gather intelligence without touching the target yet. This includes:
- WHOIS and DNS lookup
- Subdomain discovery
- Employee email leaks
- Exposed GitHub repos (yep, still happens in 2025)
3. Active Scanning & Enumeration
Once passive info is gathered, dig deeper.
- Port scanning (Nmap or RustScan)
- Service fingerprinting
- CMS & tech stack detection
- Identify entry points and misconfigurations
4. Exploitation (With Permission!)
Here’s where things get spicy.
- Use Metasploit, custom scripts, or Burp Suite
- Try known CVEs and business logic flaws
- Social engineering (if in scope)
Don’t go overboard—always follow your client’s rules of engagement.
5. Post-Exploitation & Privilege Escalation
If you got in, what next?
- Can you pivot to other machines?
- Dump credentials?
- Access sensitive PII or backups?
The goal isn’t chaos—it’s impact simulation.
6. Reporting and Recommendations
No one likes a 50-page report with no clarity.
Focus on:
- Critical vulnerabilities (CVSS score, business impact)
- Screenshots of proof-of-concept
- Clear remediation steps
- Executive summary for non-technical teams
Make sure your report aligns with compliance goals (e.g., SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS).
7. Retest and Close the Loop
Fixes made? Good. Now test again.
- Validate patches
- Re-check permissions
- Confirm the exploit path is closed
Why This Checklist Matters in 2025
Cyber threats don’t sleep—and with AI bots, deepfake phishing, and supply chain attacks on the rise, offensive security has to stay sharp. This checklist ensures you’re not just checking boxes but actually testing your security posture.
Zectrex in Penetration Testing
We help startups and enterprises assess their risks, simulate real-world attacks, and stay audit-ready. Our AI-powered compliance tool + human-led red teaming = results that actually matter.
Ready to test your security in 2025? Let’s talk.