External penetration testing services

External penetration testing, also known as external pen testing, is a security assessment where ethical hackers simulate cyberattacks on your external-facing network and applications. The goal is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities that external attackers could potentially access, helping assess your security posture and providing actionable insights for remediation.

External penetration testing is crucial because it identifies security weaknesses in internet-facing assets like websites, servers, and firewalls. By proactively discovering and fixing these vulnerabilities, you can prevent data breaches, unauthorized access, and other cyberthreats, ensuring the protection of sensitive information and safeguarding your organization’s reputation.

Internal penetration testing identifies vulnerabilities within your internal network by simulating an insider attack. In contrast, external penetration testing focuses on your external-facing systems and networks, simulating an attack from outside your organization. Both tests help uncover different security risks, ensuring comprehensive protection.

Vulnerability scanning is an automated process that detects known vulnerabilities in your systems and networks. In contrast, external penetration testing combines manual and automated techniques, where ethical hackers actively attempt to exploit vulnerabilities to assess the effectiveness of your security measures. For a deeper dive into the differences, read this blog.

The frequency of external penetration testing varies based on factors such as your organization's risk profile, regulatory needs, and network changes. Typically, it's recommended to conduct external pen tests annually or more often if there are significant changes to the network infrastructure or after major updates or new applications are implemented.

External penetration testing should be performed by qualified cybersecurity professionals, also known as ethical hackers or penetration testers. These experts may be part of an internal security team or contracted from specialized external firms. It's essential to ensure that the testers hold relevant certifications and have a proven history of successfully conducting external pen tests.

The duration of an external penetration test depends on several factors, including the scope of the test, the complexity of your network and systems, and the test's objectives. Generally, an external penetration test takes between one to four weeks to complete.

• Open ports and services: Unnecessary or improperly secured ports and services.
• Weak passwords: Easily guessable or default passwords.
• Unpatched software: Outdated applications or systems with known vulnerabilities.
• Misconfigurations: Incorrectly configured security settings on servers, firewalls, and other network devices.
• Injection flaws: SQL injection, command injection, and other injection attacks.
• Cross-site scripting (XSS): Flaws that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications.

• Executive summary: An overview of the testing process, key findings, and high-level recommendations.
• Detailed findings: A comprehensive list of identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and the method used to exploit them.
• Impact analysis: An assessment of the potential impact and risk associated with each vulnerability.
• Recommendations: Actionable steps for remediation and improving security posture.
• Supporting evidence: Screenshots, logs, and other evidence collected during the testing process.

• Define clear objectives and scope: Ensure all stakeholders understand the goals and boundaries of the test.
• Provide necessary access: Supply testers with relevant information and access permissions as needed. 
• Notify relevant parties: Inform IT staff and other relevant teams about the upcoming test to avoid confusion and ensure cooperation.
• Back up data: Ensure that critical data is backed up to prevent any potential data loss during the testing process. 
• Review and update policies: Ensure that security policies and incident response plans are current and well-documented. 

You can address the results of an external penetration test effectively by focusing on vulnerabilities marked as critical or high severity. These issues pose the greatest risk to your security and should be prioritized based on their potential impact on your overall defense.

Implementing the suggested fixes is essential, which includes applying required patches, updates, and configuration adjustments as outlined in the test report. Furthermore, it's important to enhance your overall security approach by following best practices in secure coding, network setup, and access control management.