Network Penetration Testing for HR Companies in Charlotte

 

HR and staffing companies in Charlotte and across North Carolina handle exactly what cybercriminals want most: sensitive employee data, payroll details, background checks, I‑9 documents, and health benefits information. Attacks such as phishing, ransomware, password attacks, SQL injections, and malware are routinely used to steal or encrypt this data and disrupt hiring and payroll operations.

The financial impact is significant. In 2021, the median reported cost of a data breach reached $4.24M—and that figure only reflects incidents that were publicly disclosed. For HR providers serving Charlotte’s banking, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing sectors, a serious breach can quickly turn into regulatory scrutiny, client loss, and reputational damage.

To reduce that risk, organizations need to regularly review, test, and strengthen their IT security controls—not just rely on firewalls and antivirus software installed years ago.

 

What Is Network Penetration Testing for HR Firms?

 

Network penetration testing (often called net‑pen testing or ethical hacking) is a controlled, simulated cyberattack against your organization’s IT environment. The goal is straightforward: find and exploit weaknesses before attackers do.

For HR companies in Charlotte, this typically includes testing:

• HRIS and payroll systems that store employee records and salary data
• Applicant tracking systems (ATS) and candidate portals used by job seekers
• VPNs and remote access used by recruiters and HR staff working from home or client sites
• Email and collaboration tools frequently targeted by phishing and business email compromise
• Cloud platforms hosting resumes, background checks, and onboarding documents

The results of a structured penetration test give leadership a clear view of:

• Which vulnerabilities could realistically be used to access or steal HR data
• How effective existing IT security controls and monitoring actually are
• Where improvements are needed to support compliance (such as with state privacy laws, client contracts, and industry standards)

 

Network Penetration Testing Experience in North Carolina

 

OCD Tech provides network penetration testing services to HR companies and professional services firms in Charlotte and across North Carolina. Our consultants combine IT risk advisory, cybersecurity consulting, and hands‑on ethical hacking experience to simulate the tactics real attackers use against HR environments.

We routinely help HR service providers, staffing agencies, PEOs, and in‑house HR departments:

• Identify weaknesses in internet‑facing portals and remote access for recruiters and HR staff
• Evaluate exposure of personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive HR records
• Test the effectiveness of email security and user awareness against phishing attacks
• Validate segmentation between HR systems and the rest of the corporate network

The outcome is more than just a list of technical issues. We deliver prioritized, practical remediation guidance so your IT team, MSP, or security provider can close the gaps that matter most to your business and your clients.

 

Our Network Penetration Testing Methodology

 

OCD Tech follows a proven, repeatable methodology that mirrors real‑world attack paths, including insider threat and assumed compromise scenarios. While our work is highly technical, the approach is structured and understandable for non‑technical leadership.

Typical activities include:

• Passive reconnaissance – Quietly gathering information about your HR systems, domains, and public‑facing infrastructure
• Active reconnaissance – Scanning and probing networks and applications to identify viable entry points
• Social engineering – Testing how well employees resist phishing and other manipulation attempts (a common issue in HR teams that handle large email volumes)
• Exploitation – Safely attempting to use discovered vulnerabilities to gain access, as an attacker would
• Post‑exploitation – Assessing what data and systems are exposed once initial access is achieved (for example, candidate databases or payroll systems)
• Privilege escalation – Attempting to move from basic user accounts to administrator or domain‑wide control
• Lateral movement – Testing whether an attacker could pivot from one compromised HR system to others, or into core corporate infrastructure
• Maintaining access – Demonstrating how persistent access could be established if not detected
• Covering tracks – Showing how attackers may attempt to hide activity from logging and monitoring tools
• Reporting – Delivering a clear report and executive summary that translates technical findings into business risk, with practical remediation steps and priorities

This approach provides HR leadership, IT, and security teams with a shared view of risk and a focused plan for strengthening defenses.

 

National Reach

 

While we work extensively with HR organizations in North Carolina, OCD Tech also delivers network penetration testing and broader IT security assessments to clients across the United States, including:

• Boston (MA)
• Chicago (IL)
• New York City (NY)
• Los Angeles (CA)
• Dallas (TX)
• Philadelphia (PA)
• Detroit (MI)
• Memphis (TN)

 

Contact Our Charlotte Network Penetration Testing Consultants

 

OCD Tech provides specialized network penetration testing and cybersecurity consulting for HR companies and organizations in Charlotte and throughout North Carolina. If you would like to understand how an attacker could target your HR systems—and how to stop them—complete the form below and a team member will contact you shortly.