Any organization has networked systems servers, routers and user devices that allow it to run effectively. Nevertheless, every connection is a possible entry point of cybercriminals. External network penetration testing and internal network penetration testing should be integrated to provide full protection to the business. The two essential building blocks to the cybersecurity posture of an organization.
What is External Network Penetration Testing?
External network penetration testing imitators an external to your corporate perimeter attack. Ethical hackers target publicly accessible resources including web servers, VPN gateway, and email servers. The aim is to detect and take advantage of the vulnerabilities that may be used by malicious actors to obtain unauthorized access.
Normative tests encompass:
• Port scanning of IP addresses and domains
• VPN gateway and firewall testing
• Detecting DNS misconfigurations and weaknesses of SS
• Assessment of outdated services or software version exposure
Through simulating actual attack situations, businesses can address vulnerabilities in time before they offer vulnerabilities via which ransomware or information theft takes place.
The Insider Perspective: The Internal Network Penetration Testing
Whereas external tests protect against external attacks, internal network penetration testing occurs when an attacker obtains an inside attack either through a hacked staff member machine, phishing, or malicious inside insider.
This assessment evaluates:
• Opportunities of privilge escalation of user accounts
• Transversal movement on the basis of common motives and mechanisms
• Poor internal password policies or systems which have not been patched
• Dataloss Exfiltration vulnerabilities of internal databases
The results can be used to reinforce the process of segmentation, implement least-privilege policy, and minimize damages in the event of breach.
The Reason to Have the Two Tests
The presence of a single form of test results in blind spots. External tests provide protection at the perimeter whereas internal tests provide protection at the core.
Combined, they offer:
• All-encompassing internal and external vulnerability
• Incident response preparedness to real-life situations
• Compliance to regulatory frameworks of the industry
• Harmony of mind by active defense validation
This multi-tiered strategy will help you to get ready against external attacks as well as insider threats.
Expectations of professional testing
Aardwolf Security would be a partner to expect:
• Accredited intruders with complex tools and formulas
• Extensive documentations of the vulnerabilities, exploit route and severity of risk
• Practical business impact priority remediation steps
• Post-assessment consulting to bring security improvements
These deliverables enable IT teams to act in an informed way and seal security gaps successfully.
Conclusion
Threats in the world are dynamic and that is why a single layer of protection is insufficient. Conducting both external and internal network penetration testing is a thorough end-to-end test of the security of your organization. With the ability to see where you are weak and prevent attacks before they happen to your systems, data, and reputation, you are ensuring you are indeed resilient in the digital era.
