Free cyber risk tests for businesses

As Devon businesses begin a new year, many are setting goals around growth, resilience and stability. But in 2026, one of the biggest risks to all of those ambitions remains cyber crime.

Ransomware, data breaches and targeted attacks are no longer problems just for large corporations. Small and mid-sized organisations are now some of the most common targets, often because attackers assume their defences will be weaker or less regularly tested.

At Nexus Open Systems, we work with organisations across Devon and the South West every day, helping them protect their systems, their data and their people. To support our local business community as the year begins, we’re offering a limited number of Devon-based organisations a free CREST-accredited external penetration test this January.

This is not a sales gimmick. It’s a genuine opportunity to give businesses clarity about their external cyber risk and help them start the year with confidence.

Interested? Complete the form to start your enquiry.

What is an external penetration test?

An external penetration test simulates what a real attacker can see and attempt to exploit from the internet.

It focuses on the systems that are visible outside your organisation, such as:

• Firewalls
• VPNs and remote access services
• Published servers or services
• Internet-facing infrastructure

The aim is simple: to identify weaknesses before a criminal does.

Our testing is carried out by qualified professionals and delivered to CREST standards, which are widely recognised across the UK as a benchmark for high-quality security testing.

What’s included in the free offer?

For Devon businesses selected to take part, the January offer includes:

• Testing of up to 20 external IP addresses
• Infrastructure-only testing (no website or application testing)
• A clear, prioritised report that explains findings in plain English
• Practical remediation guidance so you know exactly what to fix and why
• No contract, no subscription and no obligation

Already paid for a test recently? If you’ve had an external penetration test carried out elsewhere, we can also use this offer to provide a free second-opinion review. We’ll verify the results, sense-check the findings and confirm whether anything important has been missed, giving you added reassurance at no extra cost.

The report can be used internally, shared with your IT provider, or kept as independent assurance for leadership teams.

 Why we’re doing this

Cyber crime affects real people, real jobs and real communities. When a local business is hit by an attack, the impact goes far beyond IT systems. It can mean downtime, lost income, reputational damage and stress for staff and leaders alike.

As a Devon-based business ourselves, we believe in giving back to the community that supports us. This offer is about:

• Helping businesses understand their real-world risk
• Supporting those working towards Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001
• Encouraging proactive security, not reactive panic
• Making professional security testing accessible

Too often, organisations only discover weaknesses after something has gone wrong. Our aim is to help change that pattern.

 Who is it for?

This offer is ideal for organisations that:

• Want an independent view of their external cyber risk
• Are working towards Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus
• Have ISO 27001 or are planning to pursue it
• Haven’t had external testing before, or would appreciate a second opinion
• Take security seriously but want reassurance

Places are limited so that we can deliver each test properly and within January.

 A safer start to the year

Cyber security isn’t about fear. It’s about confidence. Knowing what’s exposed, what’s working well and what needs attention allows leaders to make informed decisions and reduce uncertainty.

By offering this free testing to Devon businesses, we hope to help organisations start the year with:

• Greater visibility of their external risk
• Clear priorities for improvement
• Reassurance for leadership teams
• Stronger protection for staff and customers

If your organisation would like to be considered for the free January penetration test – or a free second-opinion review of a recent test – you can contact Nexus directly to check eligibility.

Because if someone is going to test your defences this year, it’s better that it’s someone friendly first.

Complete the form here to submit your enquiry or call our team on 01392 205095.