Microsoft security guidance
Identity, privileged access and hardening recommendations for the relevant platform.
Penetration testing
Active Directory Penetration Testing
A controlled internal assessment of Active Directory security from agreed starting privileges, focused on realistic identity and administrative attack paths.
Assessment scope
What is tested
The final test coverage is agreed during scoping and limited to systems for which written authorization has been provided.
Domain and forest trust relationships
Privileged groups and delegated rights
Credential and authentication exposure
Service accounts and Kerberos configuration
Administrative tiers and lateral movement
Policy, logging, and hardening controls
Engagement flow
Controlled from authorization to retest.
01
Scope & authorization
Define objectives, approved systems, constraints, test windows, contacts, and rules of engagement.
02
Discovery
Establish the authorized attack surface, architecture, user roles, assets, and applicable assessment criteria.
03
Controlled testing
Assess the approved scope using manual and technical methods appropriate to the environment.
04
Validation
Confirm findings safely, remove false positives, and establish practical technical and business impact.
05
Reporting
Receive findings supported by evidence, risk ratings, an executive summary, and remediation priorities.
06
Remediation review
Review proposed corrective actions and clarify implementation priorities with the assessment team.
07
Retest
Verify agreed fixes and record whether each tested finding has been resolved, reduced, or remains open.
Assessment references
Industry standards and guidance
CIS Benchmarks
Configuration review context for Windows and systems connected to the directory.
MITRE ATT&CK
Classification of observed enterprise identity techniques; not a compliance framework.
NIST SP 800-115
Assessment planning, execution, and reporting.
Standards guide scope and test coverage. An assessment does not itself constitute certification or guarantee compliance.
Reporting
What you receive
Analysis of identity attack paths
Validated privilege findings
Affected objects and evidence
Hardening priorities
Remediation verification
Define an appropriate test scope.
Discuss the systems, objectives, access level, and required evidence with DIGITPOL.