What is External Penetration Testing and How to Conduct It?
Today’s world is digital and interconnected, and therefore, cybersecurity has become imperative for organizations to secure their data and infrastructure against cyberattacks. One of the most common methods to analyze and identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities is by conducting external penetration testing. Discovering the loopholes before the hackers can exploit them is a preventative strategy. Here, the blog will thoroughly analyze external penetration tests. Additionally, sheds light on their importance, methodologies, checklists, and the differences from the vulnerability scanning process. What is External Penetration Testing? External penetration testing (also known as external network penetration testing) is a method of evaluating the security of a network or system through the eyes of an outsider that simulates actual cyberattacks. Skilled professionals, known as ethical hackers, try to breach system security by exploiting vulnerabilities in network defense to find how strong or weak their security defenses are. They intend to use different methods to detect those flaws that attackers could use to penetrate systems unauthorized or cause disruption. Hence, external hacking helps organizations deal with their vulnerabilities beforehand, reduce or avoid risks, and secure critical information from outside threats. Internal vs external pen testing Internal and external penetration testing are both crucial components of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, but they differ in scope and focus: Internal Pen Testing Factors Descriptions Objective The primary role of internal penetration testing is to replicate an attack inside the organization’s network. This may result from the compromised end-point or via the invader who found their way into your network without permission. Scope It delves into the security of internal systems, servers, databases, applications, and other resources accessible through the organization’s network. Methods Generally, internal penetration testers are granted access to an organization’s network at a higher level than external testers. They can rely on many ways to abuse security gaps and penetrate further into sensitive data sources and crucial systems. Benefits Hacking internal security control system vulnerabilities enables the enterprise to strengthen its defenses against insider threats, viruses, and other internal risks. External Pen Testing Factors Descriptions Objective External Penetration Testing portrays attacks outside the organizational network boundary using the same strategies hackers or other cybercriminals use. The aim is to discover and take advantage of these security gaps, which might be done to hack the network. Scope It evaluates the security of the external systems that serve as interfaces to external systems like web servers, email servers, firewalls, and other internet-facing resources. The attention is centered on enumerating vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers who do not have any access to the organization’s network beforehand. Methods External penetration testers work like external attackers, performing actions such as network scanning and vulnerability exploitation, resulting in unauthorized access to the organization’s systems. Benefits By finding the weaknesses before hackers do, external penetration testing assists businesses in protecting their external infrastructure and proactively preventing potential data breaches. External Penetration Testing Methodology Here is the step-by-step explanation of the process of conducting external penetration testing: Step 1: Information Gathering: The testing firm collects extensive data through different techniques to determine the system architecture, technologies, and vulnerabilities. This encompasses researching public information and conducting reconnaissance operations to reveal entrance points and weak spots in the network or app’s security. Step 2: Planning: Here, they establish testing goals, scope, and appropriate methodology relevant to the organization’s needs. They create a complete plan with detailed testing methodologies, tools, and techniques. This stage connects the testing objectives and the organization’s security specifications. Step 3: Automated Scanning: The testers use automated tools that scan the target network or application for known vulnerabilities. This phase aims to enable the fast detection of prevalent security problems by efficiently identifying superficial vulnerabilities. Step 4: Manual Testing: Then they conduct a thorough manual penetration testing to reveal the vulnerabilities an automated scan failed to detect. Using simulations of real-world attack scenarios, security professionals connect with systems to uncover complex security assumptions and assess entry points for potential adversaries, ensuring the thoroughness of the testing process. Step 5: Reporting: The testers then record and classify found vulnerabilities from the information collected during the tests. They create a detailed penetration testing report for stakeholders with actionable recommendations for fortifying the security posture of the organization’s systems and applications. If you’re looking for the best pen test report to gain clarity, it’s just a fingertip away. Click below for the sample report. Latest Penetration Testing Report Download Step 6: Remediation Support: The pen testing firm helps the development team to solve the identified vulnerabilities effectively by providing guidance and assistance. With scheduled consultation calls and direct engagement, penetration testers offer expert advice to enable efficient and complete resolution of security issues. Step 7: Retesting: Then the testers conduct a thorough re-evaluation of previously identified vulnerabilities. This step confirms that previously identified issues have been effectively resolved and validates the organization’s security enhancements. Step 8: LOA and Security Certificate: To certify the organization’s security posture, the testing company provides a Letter of Attestation (LOA) with evidence from penetration testing. This document provides clear evidence of security standard compliance. It, therefore, can be used to reassure stakeholders, clients, and regulatory agencies of the organization’s commitment to cybersecurity. External Penetration Testing Checklist External penetration testing is the structured approach used to determine the safety of the organization’s network from outside threats. Here are five essential points typically included in such a checklist: 1. Enumeration and Reconnaissance: This involves obtaining information about the target network, like IP addresses, domain names, network infrastructure, and services running on external systems. Techniques such as DNS enumerating, port scanning, and service identifying are frequently employed. 2. Vulnerability Scanning and Assessment: It identifies potential security vulnerabilities in external network infrastructure by conducting vulnerability scans. This involves detecting outdated software, misconfigured services, open ports, and known network and server vulnerabilities. 3. Exploitation through Penetration Testing: To attempt to use known vulnerabilities to get encrypted entry to the target network or systems without permission. This stage uses penetration testing tools and
