Penetration testing, also known as pen testing, is the practice of simulating a cyber attack on a computer system, network, or web application to test its defenses and identify vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit. There are two main types of penetration tests: internal and external.
Internal penetration tests focus on testing the security of an organization’s internal systems and networks. These tests are typically conducted by a team of security professionals who have already been granted access to the organization’s systems and are testing from within.
External penetration tests, on the other hand, focus on testing the security of an organization’s external-facing systems, such as its websites, web applications, and network infrastructure. These tests are conducted by a team of security professionals who simulate an attack from the outside, as if they were an actual hacker attempting to gain unauthorized access to the organization’s systems.
There are several advantages to conducting external penetration tests. These include:
- Testing the security of your organization’s public-facing systems: By simulating an attack from the outside, an external penetration test can help you identify vulnerabilities in your organization’s public-facing systems that may not be apparent from the inside. This can include vulnerabilities in your websites, web applications, and network infrastructure.
- Simulating a real-world attack: External penetration tests are designed to simulate a real-world attack as closely as possible. This means that the team conducting the test will use the same tools and tactics that an actual hacker might use, giving you a realistic assessment of your organization’s defenses.
- Identifying vulnerabilities that internal testing may miss: Internal penetration tests can be very useful for identifying vulnerabilities in your organization’s internal systems and networks. However, they may not be as effective at identifying vulnerabilities in your external-facing systems. By simulating an attack from the outside, an external penetration test can help you identify these vulnerabilities and take steps to address them.
- Improving your organization’s overall security posture: By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in your external-facing systems, an external penetration test can help you improve your organization’s overall security posture. This can help you reduce the risk of a cyber attack and protect your sensitive data from being accessed by unauthorized individuals.
In conclusion, external penetration tests can be a valuable tool for organizations looking to improve the security of their public-facing systems and protect against cyber attacks. By simulating a real-world attack and identifying vulnerabilities that internal testing may miss, external penetration tests can help you strengthen your defenses and reduce the risk of a cyber attack.