Find and Fix Security Gaps Before Attackers Do
Cybersecurity shouldn’t be a guessing game—and it shouldn’t take a breach to find out your network has holes.
At Business Data Services, we help Kansas City businesses uncover vulnerabilities before hackers do. Our penetration testing goes beyond a simple scan—we simulate real-world cyberattacks in a safe, controlled way to reveal how an attacker might break in, move through your systems, and access sensitive data.
We’re a family-owned, local company rooted right here in Overland Park, serving Kansas City businesses since 2004. When it comes to cybersecurity, we practice what we preach. Our own systems are continuously tested, audited, and verified by independent third parties—because we believe the best defense starts with trust and transparency.
No offshore testing firms. No one-size-fits-all reports. Just a local team that knows your business, your compliance needs, and the high stakes of downtime or data loss.
When we perform a penetration test, you’ll know exactly what was tested, what was found, and how to fix it.
Our goal isn’t to scare you—it’s to strengthen you. We give Kansas City businesses the knowledge, tools, and confidence to close gaps, improve compliance, and stay ahead of evolving threats—without slowing down your operations.
Why Kansas City Businesses Choose Our VoIP Services
- Audited Cybersecurity Expertise – Among the <2% of MSPs nationwide voluntarily audited by third-party cybersecurity firms.
- Local, Proven Team – 100% Kansas City-based IT and cybersecurity specialists with a 3-minute average emergency response time.
- Full-Scope Testing – Internal, external, and network-layer testing that mirrors real attacker behavior.
- Actionable Reports – Executive summaries, detailed technical documentation, and prioritized remediation steps.
- Third-Party Validation – When needed, we partner with independent penetration testing specialists for validation or extended scope testing.
Our mission is simple: to protect 1 million people in Kansas City from cyber threats and
technology disasters—one business at a time.
Every penetration test we perform is part of that mission. Whether we’re simulating a hacker trying to breach your network or validating that your defenses hold strong, our goal is to help you stay secure, compliant, and confident in your technology.
When you partner with Business Data Services, you’re not just hiring a cybersecurity provider—you’re gaining a local ally who’s as invested in your success as you are. We’re family-owned, Kansas City–based, and proud to support the small and mid-sized businesses that keep this city running.
We hold ourselves to the same standards we recommend for our clients. BDS is among the fewer than 2% of MSPs nationwide that voluntarily undergo third-party cybersecurity audits, proving our commitment to doing things the right way.
Because we don’t just talk about cybersecurity—we live it. Every test we run, every report we deliver, and every safeguard we help you build is driven by one promise:
To keep your business safe, resilient, and ready for whatever comes next.
Results Speak For Themselves
See What Our Customers Say:
“BDS was the right solution for us"
Like many other companies, the Covid pandemic had a big impact on our business. We were hit on both the labor and supply sides of our business. It wasn’t until the Winter of 2021 that we recovered to being fully staffed. In terms of supplies, it has gotten so bad that some vendors have stopped accepting back orders or even communicating updates. Because of this, Lauren, our team, and I have to check our vendor's websites every day in order to find stock to order. There have been times when we see 800 stock of the item we need first thing in the morning. And while we were putting our card information in, dozens or hundreds were already sold. For some items even, I know to buy right away even if we don’t have orders because I know we can sell those items quickly. We’ve actually become more reliant on technology compared to pre-Covid.
Tom Mills & Lauren Mills
CSE Emblems Inc. Basehor, KS
With BDS, we can focus on our core business
As an expanding mid-sized company, most of us are asked to wear several different hats and one of those hats for me was overseeing the IT. While having some experience, IT was not my main role with the company.
BDS Keeps Employees Productive
Our company eventually grew to the size where addressing IT problems was impeding with my primary responsibilities and the complexity of our needs had outgrown my knowledge. We wanted someone local for an onsite presence with reasonable rates. That’s when we chose Business Data Services.
Mike Wirtz
Assistant ControllerVanTrust Real Estate
Understands us and delivers on-time and on-budget
At CBM, we all wear multiple hats. One of my hats happens to be IT. 90% of the time, I love my IT hat. Troubleshooting technical issues is something I look forward to doing! The added benefit is avoiding hiring a full or part-time staff dedicated to IT which saves our company quite a bit of money. On the other hand, there are times I know I’m out of my wheelhouse and need outside help. In the end, outside help is my responsibility so I go through a process to vet each potential technology partner. Our previous technology partner could not handle moving our on-prem server to Microsoft 365’s environment. It was clear we needed a new partner to cover the high level projects and technology I couldn’t handle. That’s when I reached out to BDS. What I liked most about BDS was they took the time to understand our situation, what our goals were, and created a clear plan to achieve our goals. While we did hit some road bumps through the process, BDS was there for us to make things right. I appreciate a partner who owns up to their mistakes and works hard to make things right. Despite those road bumps, BDS was able to deliver the project, on-time and on-budget. I look forward to working with BDS on future projects!
Jay Carlson
CBM, Inc. Lee's Summit, MO
Our Penetration Testing Process
Our process follows a proven five-step methodology used by leading cybersecurity teams nationwide:
- Discovery – Understand your systems, compliance requirements, and unique risk profile.
- Scope Definition – Identify internal and external assets, applications, and objectives to focus testing efforts.
- Testing & Exploitation – Perform controlled, ethical attacks using manual and automated tools to reveal real vulnerabilities.
- Results & Remediation – Deliver comprehensive findings, with clear business impact and prioritized action steps.
- Ongoing Monitoring & Retesting – Confirm remediation success and track measurable security improvements over time.
Testing Coverage
External Network Testing
Simulates outside-in attacks against your public-facing systems and firewalls to identify exploitable entry points.
Activities include:
- User profiling and reputational threat checks (misspelled domains, exposed credentials)
- External asset discovery and vulnerability validation
- Controlled exploitation to demonstrate risk impact
Internal Network Testing
Simulates a compromised workstation or insider threat scenario within your environment.
Activities include:
- Information gathering and privilege escalation testing
- Lateral movement and network enumeration
- Proof-of-validation reporting to show real risk pathways
Methodology Highlights
- Combines manual and automated testing (e.g., OSINT, reconnaissance, Nmap, Metasploit)
- Aligns with NIST 800-115, OWASP, and CIS Controls
- Focuses on validation, not noise — all findings verified to remove false positives
- Conducted safely with no business disruption
Deliverables You’ll Receive
Every penetration test engagement includes documentation your leadership and IT team can act on immediately:
- Executive Summary Report – High-level overview of vulnerabilities and business risk.
- Remediation Plan – Prioritized roadmap for closing gaps quickly.
- Retest Option – Validate improvements and demonstrate measurable progress over time.
Transparent Communication Throughout
- Dedicated project manager as your single point of contact
- Progress updates during testing
- All client data handled under strict confidentiality and secure-data destruction policies
Full-Service IT & Cybersecurity Support Behind
Every Penetration Test
At Business Data Services, penetration testing is only one part of how we protect Kansas City businesses. We provide complete IT and cybersecurity solutions that work together to prevent downtime, strengthen defenses, and keep your operations running smoothly.
IT Helpdesk
Real people, real support—right here in Kansas City. Our 100% local helpdesk team resolves issues fast so your staff can stay productive.
Managed IT Services
Comprehensive IT management that keeps your systems fast, secure, and up-to-date. From proactive maintenance to onsite support, we handle it all.
Cybersecurity Services
Defense goes beyond testing. We deliver endpoint protection, SOC monitoring, and compliance-driven cybersecurity management for total peace of mind.
Backup Services
Protect your business from data loss, ransomware, and disasters with secure onsite and cloud backups—tested and verified for reliability.
Server Support
Optimize and secure your critical business servers. From setup to patching, we keep your infrastructure performing at its best.
Let’s Solve This Together
Step 1: Schedule A 30-Minute Discovery Call
Find out if we're the right fit for your business needs.
Step 2: Get Tailored IT Solutions
Experience fast, secure and budget-friendly support.
Step 3: Focus On Your Business
Stop worrying about IT issues and focus on running your business seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a penetration test (pen test)?
A penetration test is a controlled, ethical hack that simulates how a cyber-attacker would try to break into your systems, then move laterally and access sensitive data. At the end of the engagement you receive a detailed report with findings, business-impact analysis, and an actionable remediation plan.
How is a penetration test different from a vulnerability scan?
While a vulnerability scan uses automated tools to identify potential weak spots, a penetration test goes deeper. It uses manual techniques, exploits real vulnerabilities, and shows how far an attacker could move within your network.
Will a penetration test disrupt my business operations?
When done properly, no. The testing is planned, scoped in advance, and executed in a way that avoids downtime or disruption. You’re getting the benefit of a real-world simulation without the real-world damage.
How often should my Kansas City business have a penetration test?
At least annually is recommended. Additionally, you should consider testing after major changes: new systems, a merger/acquisition, large application roll-out, or significant infrastructure shifts.
What’s included in a typical penetration test deliverable?
You can expect an executive summary (for leadership), a technical report with actionable findings (for your IT/security team), prioritized remediation steps, and ideally a retest option to validate that the fixes really worked.
How much does a penetration test cost for a small business?
Costs vary based on scope (network size, number of systems, internal vs external testing), but the key is the value — preventing a breach, data loss, or compliance fine often costs far more.
Do we need a pen test if we already have security tools and endpoint protection?
Yes. Tools are critical, but they only catch known threats or ensure configurations are correct. A penetration test shows how all those tools and configurations hold up when an attacker tries to exploit them. In other words: protection + validation = resilience.
Can you test my remote workforce, cloud services, or hybrid infrastructure too?
Absolutely. Modern businesses (including in Kansas City) operate in hybrid-cloud, remote, and on-prem environments. Our testing scope includes external threats, internal networks, cloud services, and even social engineering when included in scope. (If you want an example of your specific environment tested, we can include that in the scope and proposal.)
Ready to Strengthen Your Defenses?
Penetration testing is the fastest way to spot—and fix—real security gaps before attackers do.
Book a Discovery Call and we’ll scope the right test for your environment, outline timeline & deliverables, and show exactly how we’ll help your team remediate findings.
- Local, audited cybersecurity team (<2% of MSPs voluntarily third-party audited)
- Executive summary + technical report + prioritized remediation plan
- Optional retest to confirm improvements
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Call us at 913-239-0368
