Pen test reports can be notoriously difficult to read.
They’re packed with terms like “unauthenticated RCE” or “CVSS 9.8,” and unless you’re deep into cybersecurity, it can feel like reading another language. But buried in that PDF is exactly what you need to tighten up your systems.
It’s not about memorizing the tech. It’s about knowing what to look for, what to fix first, and how to turn findings into action. Here’s how.
Don’t Skip the Summary
Start at the top. Pen test reports from places like core.cyver.io will feature an executive summary that lays everything out in plain-ish English. It tells you what the testers found overall, where your weak spots are, and how bad things really are.
Look for big-picture stuff like critical flaws, recurring issues, or major gaps. If something jumps out as urgent, don’t sit on it. Flag it and get eyes on it right away.
This section sets the tone. Think of it as your “security health check.”
Severity Scores: Use Them, Don’t Worship Them
Every issue in the report is rated critical, high, medium, or low. Those labels are useful, but they’re not gospel.
A critical rating means the issue is serious and relatively easy to exploit. That usually goes straight to the top of the to-do list. But don’t write off the medium and low stuff. Sometimes those smaller cracks open the door for something bigger.
Also, severity depends on context. A medium-rated issue sitting on your payment system? That’s not really “medium” anymore.
When It Gets Technical, Stay Curious
Eventually, the report goes deep with specific URLs, systems affected, how the issue was found, what it means, and how to fix it.
It might look something like:
- “Outdated Apache version found at X endpoint”
- “Allows unauthenticated access to admin panel”
- “Recommended: update to version X.X.XX”
You don’t need to understand every bit. But don’t ignore it either. This section tells your tech team exactly what to fix and where to start.
If something’s unclear, loop in your IT folks or your provider. Ask questions. This isn’t meant to sit in a folder. It’s meant to drive action.
The Report’s Only as Good as What You Do Next
Getting the report is step one. Acting on it is what matters.
Go through the findings, starting with the most urgent. Create tasks, assign them to the right people, and follow up. It might mean patching software, turning off unused services, or adjusting settings.
Whatever it is, don’t let it sit. A known issue that’s left open is a missed opportunity and sometimes a major risk.
Final Thoughts
A pen test report isn’t something to be afraid of. It’s a spotlight. It shows you what’s working and what isn’t and gives you a chance to fix things before they turn into something worse.
You don’t need to be a security engineer to read one. You just need to know where to focus, ask the right people for help, and take the next step to secure your systems.
Article and permission to publish here provided by Edgar Jackson. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on July 23, 2025.
Cover photo by Campaign Creators on Unsplash.