Modern open-source and cloud-native stacks rarely consist of a single server. Linux, Kubernetes, identity providers, GitOps, CI/CD, registries, secrets, network segmentation and observability interact closely. This creates different attack surfaces than classic single-server environments.
Security review is not the same as penetration testing
A vulnerability scan searches automatically for known weaknesses. A configuration review evaluates settings, permissions and baselines. A security assessment systematically classifies technical risks. A penetration test deliberately attempts to exploit agreed vulnerabilities or attack paths in a controlled way.
Specialized security assessments for open-source and DevOps environments
For Linux, IAM, CI/CD, secrets, GitOps, containers and supply chain, context matters. A finding is useful only when it is clear how it emerges in the concrete platform and how it can be remediated cleanly.
Security assessments and penetration tests for Kubernetes
Kubernetes has its own risks: RBAC, service accounts, Pod Security, secrets, API exposure, NetworkPolicies, admission controls, registry integration, CI/CD and GitOps. A configuration audit reviews these controls. An active Kubernetes penetration test additionally needs clear rules of engagement and suitable specialist scope.
How a professional penetration test works
Typical steps are scope, rules of engagement, preparation, testing, validation, reporting, remediation and retesting. ForgeOne offers penetration tests together with specialized security partners and supports especially with technical remediation in Linux, Kubernetes, IAM and DevOps environments.
What companies should look for in a security partner
Important criteria include traceable methodology, experience with the relevant stack, qualifications of the executing testers, NDA and careful handling of data, clear rules of engagement, understandable reporting, remediation support and agreed retesting.