CYBERSECURITY TESTING

Systems & Infrastructure
Specialist Security Testing.

Bespoke assurance for technology that does not fit a standard test category. World Computing designs proportionate testing for specialist technology—from desktop applications and appliances to IoT devices, firmware and operational environments.

Book Scoping Call → View Technology Targets

Embedded & IoTSpecialised Devices

OT & ICSCritical Infrastructure

Thick ClientDesktop & Legacy Apps

Custom ProtocolsBespoke Environment

Evidence-LedActionable Technical Findings

BESPOKE ASSURANCE METHOD

A flexible service for specialist products.

The engagement begins with architecture, interfaces, data flows, business impact and safety constraints, then selects techniques that provide meaningful assurance without forcing the system into an unsuitable checklist.

Connected Devices, IoT & Firmware

Embedded systems, smart-building controls, hardware appliances, and wireless products. We analyze package integrity, firmware signing, debug ports, key storage, and physical tamper resistance.

Firmware Extraction Hardware Ports OWASP IoT

Desktop & Thick-Client Applications

Native Windows, macOS, or Linux software, interactive kiosks, and virtual appliances. We evaluate local file permissions, IPC channels, privilege boundaries, and hard-coded secrets.

IPC & Permissions Kiosk Escape Reverse Engineering

Virtual Appliances & Control Planes

Hypervisors, container management planes, proprietary communication protocols, and cloud integrations. Assessing cloud boundary controls and container isolation.

Container Planes Custom Protocols Virtualization

Operational Technology & Safety Systems

Industrial controls, medical devices, and safety-sensitive operational environments. Tested safely via reference laboratory environments or architecture reviews to protect physical processes.

NCSC OT Principles Lab Reference Testing Safety Safeguards

When This Service Is Useful

Products or platforms with unusual hardware, protocols or trust boundaries.
Vendors preparing connected devices, appliances or desktop apps for market.
Customers or procurement processes requesting independent product assurance.
Legacy or proprietary systems not covered by routine scanners.
High-value integrations between physical devices, cloud services and user apps.
Operational or safety-sensitive environments requiring a tailored test plan.

ASSESSMENT AREAS

What we test.

Our tailored assessment evaluates physical, architectural, software, and operational trust boundaries.

ARCH

Architecture & Trust

Components, update services, cloud dependencies, physical access, and points where trust or data crosses boundaries.

SURFACE

Interfaces & Surface

Network services, local ports, wireless protocols, debug functions, APIs, and proprietary communication paths.

AUTH

Authentication & Identity

User, device, and service identity; privileged functions; shared secrets; default accounts; and role separation.

CRYPTO

Data & Cryptography

Data at rest and in transit, key storage, certificate handling, and misuse of custom cryptographic implementations.

FIRMWARE

Firmware & Updates

Package integrity, signing, rollback protection, update transport, hard-coded secrets, and patch controls.

CLIENT

Local & Client Security

File permissions, IPC channels, privilege boundaries, insecure storage, and tamper resistance for desktop software.

HARDENING

Configuration Hardening

Default exposure, unnecessary functions, management access, audit settings, and architectural deviations.

SAFETY

Business & Safety Impact

How technical weaknesses could affect users, data, availability, equipment, or physical operational processes.

METHODOLOGY

How the engagement works.

A controlled 6-stage testing methodology aligned with NIST SP 800-115, OWASP IoT, and NCSC OT guidance.

STAGE 01

Discovery Workshop

Understand system purpose, components, interfaces, threat actors, safety impact, and assurance goals.

STAGE 02

Architecture & Risk Review

Map trust boundaries, identify testable hypotheses, gather evidence sources, and eliminate unsafe techniques.

STAGE 03

Bespoke Test Plan

Define targets, equipment, test environment, access, methods, limitations, stop conditions and success criteria.

STAGE 04

Controlled Assessment

Perform laboratory or authorised environment testing using approved techniques, tools, and test data.

STAGE 05

Validate & Contextualise

Confirm credible weaknesses and explain technical, business, privacy, and physical safety consequences.

STAGE 06

Report & Plan Next Steps

Provide plain-English outputs, design recommendations, residual limitations, and a re-test approach.

ENGAGEMENT DETAILS

Requirements & Deliverables.

Clear input requirements and actionable assurance outputs delivered at project completion.

What We Need From You

System purpose, architecture, and component/bill-of-materials info.
Hardware, software, firmware, and management interfaces available.
Test or reference environment and any specialist equipment required.
Safety, operational, regulatory, and warranty constraints.
Developer, engineer, or product-owner contact for questions.

What You Receive

Plain-English assurance statement tied to agreed questions and limits.
System model, assessed components, interfaces, and trust boundaries.
Bespoke methodology and evidence showing tested hypotheses.
Risk-rated technical findings with realistic operational impact.
Remediation options covering configuration, code, architecture, and process.
Unverified areas, residual risk notes, and re-test assurance plan.

Important Scope & Safety Note

The test method is driven by safety and operational impact. We do not actively scan or exploit live operational technology, medical, industrial or other safety-sensitive equipment without explicit risk assessment and written approval. Where active testing is unsuitable, assurance can be based on a reference environment, component testing, architecture review, configuration evidence and targeted validation.

WHY WORLD COMPUTING

Clear, evidence-led systems testing.

Evidence-Led Reporting

Clear, evidence-backed reporting designed for technical teams, developers, and executive decision-makers.

Risk-Proportionate Design

Testing designed strictly around your business risk, specialized technology, and physical operational constraints.

Actionable Remediation

Findings prioritised for practical remediation with architectural guidance rather than alarmist language.

Collaborative Assurance

A collaborative approach supporting product developers, hardware engineers, and infrastructure teams throughout.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Systems Testing FAQ

Can you test a system that is not listed here?

Possibly. The first step is a scoping discussion to understand the technology, ownership, assurance objective and safety constraints. We will explain whether we can provide suitable coverage and what specialist support may be required.

Do you need the physical device?

Often for embedded, IoT and appliance work. Some questions can be addressed through firmware, configuration, source code or a virtual image, but physical access may be needed to assess ports, boot processes or hardware-backed protections.

Can you test operational technology in production?

Only after careful risk assessment and explicit agreement, and it may still be inappropriate. A representative laboratory or non-operational environment is usually safer for active techniques.

Which standard will you use?

There is no single standard for every specialist system. We select relevant guidance—such as OWASP IoT, NIST testing guidance, NCSC OT principles or vendor standards—and record the chosen coverage in the plan.

How do you price a bespoke assessment?

Pricing follows the agreed components, interfaces, access, specialist equipment, environment and depth of testing. A short discovery call is needed before a reliable quotation can be produced.

What if part of the system cannot be tested?

The report identifies limitations and residual uncertainty. We may recommend alternative evidence, a reference environment, design review or follow-on test rather than presenting an unsupported conclusion.

EXPERT GUIDANCE

Cyber Testing - Practical guidance for a more secure business

Cyber Testing

Understanding Penetration Testing: Why It Matters

Discover vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. Clear technical findings, business-risk explanations, and actionable remediation recommendations.

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