Network Penetration Testing for App Developers in Des Moines (IA)

 

App development companies in Des Moines and across Iowa are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals looking to steal source code, API keys, customer data, and payment information. Common attack methods include malware, phishing, password attacks, SQL injection, ransomware, and API abuse – all aimed at gaining unauthorized access to your applications and the networks they run on.

The financial impact is significant. In 2021, the median reported cost of a data breach reached $4.24M, according to this study. That figure only includes incidents that were voluntarily reported, so the real cost is likely higher. For Des Moines app developers working with regulated data (healthcare, fintech, government contracts, or education), a breach can also trigger regulatory penalties, contract loss, and reputational damage.

Network penetration testing (or “net-pen testing”) is a controlled, ethical hacking exercise where security specialists simulate real-world cyberattacks against your network, cloud environments, and app-related infrastructure. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities before an attacker does, validate how far an intrusion could go, and show you exactly how to close the gaps. For app development companies, this often includes testing:

• Internal networks used by development teams
• External-facing services such as APIs, admin portals, and CI/CD tooling
• Cloud environments hosting staging and production applications
• VPNs and remote access used by distributed dev teams

Regular penetration testing gives leadership a concrete way to measure IT security, verify existing controls, and meet client and regulatory requirements – instead of relying on assumptions or vendor promises.

 

Iowa Network Penetration Testing Experience for App Developers

 

OCD Tech provides network penetration testing services to app development companies in Des Moines and throughout Iowa. Our team combines hands-on penetration testing experience with a strong background in IT risk advisory and cybersecurity consulting across industries such as healthcare, financial services, SaaS, manufacturing, higher education, and state/local government.

For app development firms specifically, we focus on how an attacker would move from your corporate network into your code, pipelines, and production environments. This can include testing:

• Developer endpoints (laptops, workstations, remote access)
• Source code repositories (Git, on-prem or cloud-hosted)
• CI/CD pipelines (build servers, deployment tools)
• Test and staging environments that often mirror production but are less protected
• Third-party integrations and dependencies used by your apps

The outcome is not just a list of vulnerabilities. You receive clear, prioritized remediation guidance tailored to your environment, so your internal IT and development teams know exactly what to fix, in what order, and how it affects overall risk.

 

Network Penetration Testing Methodology

 

OCD Tech uses a structured, repeatable penetration testing methodology that mirrors how real attackers operate, while maintaining strict control and safety. For app development companies in Des Moines, this approach helps validate both your IT infrastructure and the systems that support your software delivery lifecycle.

Our network penetration testing process typically includes:

• Passive reconnaissance – Quietly collecting information about your organization, domains, and exposed assets without direct interaction.
• Active reconnaissance – Scanning and probing networks and services to identify open ports, services, and potential weak points.
• Social engineering (where in scope) – Testing how susceptible staff may be to phishing or other manipulation that could expose credentials or access.
• Exploitation – Safely leveraging identified vulnerabilities to gain access, simulating a real attacker’s first foothold.
• Post-exploitation – Assessing what an attacker could do after gaining access, including data exposure and impact on your development and production environments.
• Privilege escalation – Attempting to move from basic user access to administrative or domain-level control.
• Lateral movement – Moving across systems and networks to reach high-value targets such as code repositories, build servers, or production databases.
• Maintaining access – Demonstrating how an attacker could persist in your environment if not detected.
• Covering tracks – Showing what log and monitoring gaps could allow an attacker to operate unnoticed.
• Reporting – Delivering a clear, business-focused report with technical details, risk ratings, and remediation steps your IT and development teams can implement.

This methodology supports a range of security activities, from traditional penetration testing to more advanced red team and purple team exercises, depending on your maturity and objectives.

 

National Reach

 

Although we work extensively with app development companies in Iowa, OCD Tech also provides network penetration testing and IT security assessments across the U.S., including:

• Boston (MA)
• New York City (NY)
• Washington DC
• Philadelphia (PA)
• Dallas (TX)
• Los Angeles (CA)
• Chicago (IL)
• Baltimore (MD)

 

Contact Our Iowa Network Penetration Testing Consultants

 

OCD Tech provides network penetration testing, ethical hacking, and cybersecurity consulting to app development companies and other organizations in Des Moines and across Iowa. If you want to understand how exposed your network and app infrastructure really are – and how to fix it – complete the form below, and a team member will contact you to discuss a tailored penetration test for your environment.